Taurau, 15, collected 19 votes to win the Ted King Medal by the smallest of margins from Warriors team-mate Jarrod Illig – who played just nine under-17 matches – and Ararat’s Austin Hamilton, who tied for second.

Horsham’s Jack Mentha and Rat Riley Taylor finished equal third on 17 votes.

Taurau, who previously played for Mininera and District league side Ararat Eagles, said he did not expect to win.

“It’s a bit of a surprise – I think a few of the boys were robbed,” he joked.

Taurau said his first season in the Wimmera league had been beneficial.

“It’s been competitive and it’s been a real challenge,” he said.

“Just the experience of the Wimmera league – it’s so much faster than Mininera.”

The key defender and ruckman polled in seven of 16 games, which included five best-on-ground performances.

He also starred for the Wimmera league’s under-15s side against North Central league in May and played in the Wimmera V-Line Cup team.

Taurau said playing senior football for the Warriors was his next priority as he looked to continue to improve his game.

“That’s going to hopefully be the next thing,” he said.

“The dream would be to one day play AFL.”

Taurau said he hoped to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Tom and push for North Ballarat Rebels selection in the next few years.

Horsham Saint Joel Richards was the leading goal-kicker with 67.

In the under-14s vote count, Horsham Saint Angus Gove polled a whopping 40 votes to win the Max McGrath Medal.

Gove finished nine votes clear of Warrack Eagles midfielder Charlie Wilson, 31. 

Ararat’s Jack Antonio, 29, finished third for a second consecutive season. After finishing equal 10th in the under-14s vote count last year, Gove has taken his game to another level.

The Saints on-baller polled in 15 of a possible 16 matches, which included a remarkable 11 best-on-ground performances.

Gove said it was an enjoyable season. He said the Saints had their eyes on September glory.

“I love being out there having a kick with my mates,” he said.

“It’s been a good year – we haven’t lost a game yet. The past few years we’ve been runner-up, so hopefully we can go one better.”

Second-placed Wilson, who enjoyed a successful V-Line Cup tournament, said team success had also been the highlight of his season.

“This is my fifth year in the under-14s,” he said.

“It’s the first time in six or seven years the under-14s have been in finals.”

Rounding out the top five was another Saint in Thomas Berry, 25 votes, with Horsham’s Matty Lloyd and Ararat’s Grady Slocombe finishing equal fifth with 22.