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Abel may get a bronze medal (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

third man

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'abel' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'get a bronze medal' is the wordplay.
'get' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a bronze' becomes 'third' (I've seen this in another clue).
'medal' becomes 'man' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'third' next to 'man' is 'THIRD MAN'.

'may' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for third man that I've seen before include "is close to the rope?" , "mysterious one in movie" , "Harry Lime" , "position in the field?" , "Cricket fielding position (for a spy?)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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