After 14 attempts in the national competition an SA competitor has been awarded the National Shearing Champion at the AWI National Sports Shear and Woolhandling event in Jamestown yesterday.
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Nathan Meaney, Kapunda, took home the national championship title with a score of 73.27, in front of second place holder Daniel McIntyre, NSW, who obtained a score of 77.93, while Josh Bone, Vic, got third place with 82.58.
Mr Meaney said he drew a blank when he was awarded the win and could not believe he had won.
He said in the past times he had made finals he had either came fourth or second but was proud to have finally done it.
"I'm the fourth winner of the National championship within the past 26 years - with the years of covid included," he said.
"It's pretty unbelievable really - especially with the way Daniel is still shearing.
"I had a real good first round, with a couple of bad sheep in the second round and I was a bit worried I was not going to make it but snuck in at fifth - so when the scores came out, it was quite mentally straining.
"I did about 20 laps of the shed at one stage - but you need good people around you to support you."
He said this would be the fourth time he would represent Australia in the Trans-Tasmin test and to represent his country was amazing.
"As for work, I'll just go straight back to what I was doing like nothing happened," he said.
"It was a great event at Jamestown and I couldn't have done it without the friends and family who have stuck by me over the years."
In the blade shearing John Dalla, Warooka, snapped up first place with a 65.30 with the second place picked up by Andrew Murray, NSW, with 82.77 and third place with 88.53 was Daniel Rogers, Vic.
Mr Dalla said it was great to get back into the Australian team.
"You're always nervous when you got to shear in that national final," he said.
"I love being able to go over to New Zealand and compete for Australia.
"We have been putting in a lot of work, making sure our gears right and getting fit for this.
"It was good coming off the World Champs this year where we were fairly fit, we've put a lot of work into that so it was really nice to finally get over the line again."
In the woolhandling open competition Alexander Schoff, Chinchilla, Qld, was awarded the National Woolhanding Championship with a score of 46.83, ahead of second placegetter Marlene Whittle, Vic, on 47.30 and third placegetter Jayne Griffin, Vic, on 49.47.
Mr Schoff said he had been woolhandling for seven years following his family's footsteps who were "big in the shearing industry".
"It took a lot of effort, I've been training a little bit and I couldn't have done it with my support," he said.
"I want to thank my whole family and all those who supported me through this the whole time I've been doing it.
"There were mighty competitors up there pushing me but it was great."
The Schoff family had plenty to celebrate with Alexander's siblings Carl and Grace winning their classes in shearing in novice development and intermediate development respectively.
Zac Mallise, NSW, took home first place in the senior development category.
In the Sports Shear Australia Association Victoria won with a score of 146.43, with NSW second and WA third.
Stock Journal's KIARA STACEY was among the hive of the event and snapped these photos.
Kiara Stacey
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
