Coach

Shayne Breuer, Horsham Saints: In his first year as coach at the Saints, Breuer has led the club to a top-two finish and a real chance at a premiership. The Saints finished fourth last season before reaching a grand final, and after two wins over minor premier Horsham this season, Breuer has the club in an even stronger position to challenge for its maiden Wimmera league flag.

Backs

Ben Harrison, Warrack Eagles: The Eagles captain missed a few games with injury last month, but has arguably been his side’s most consistent performer this season. Harrison was named in the Eagles’ best players eight times and has been vital setting up play from the back half. He also represented the Wimmera league against North Central.

Rhona Conboy, Horsham: Conboy played just 11 of 16 games, but has done enough to warrant selection at full back. Conboy, 17, has more than held his own against more experienced opponents. He represented the Wimmera league and was named in Horsham’s best players on seven occasions. Strong senior form helped the Wimmera teen break into the North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup side.

Justin Garth, Minyip-Murtoa: Formerly the Horsham RSL Diggers’ favourite son, Garth has had a massive impact in his first season with finalist Minyip-Murtoa. The tough utility has been equally productive down back or through the middle of the ground and has been named in the club’s top-two players in eight of his 15 matches.

Half-backs

Joel Geue, Horsham: Geue has been Horsham’s ‘Mr Fix It’ in 2014, filling a variety of roles across the ground. He was an interleague representative and was named in the Demons’ best players 10 times. Geue added another string to his bow by shutting down Saints full forward Gavin Kelm in round nine.

Jacob Cheney, Warrack Eagles: The best defenders often go unnoticed, but Cheney has been a consistent cog in the Eagles’ success this year. The durable key defender has played in all 16 games and was among the best in nine of them. He will have a big part to play if the Eagles are to win a flag.

Tyler Blake, Dimboola: Dimboola’s season is over, but Blake was easily one of its standout performers in 2014. The pacy half-back played in every match. He also moved through the midfield and added something different to the Roos’ line-up in his first year since crossing from Horsham. He received nine mentions in the Roos’ best player lists.

Centre

Jake Peters, Warrack Eagles: The young gun has a been a major contributor to the Eagles’ on-ball brigade in 2014. Peters played 15 of a possible 16 games, kicked 17 goals and was named in the club’s best performers on 10 occasions. He also had an impact in the Wimmera’s interleague win.

John Delahunty, Minyip-Murtoa: Burras star John Delahunty has enjoyed another successful and consistent season. The ball magnet has played in 15 matches and was named in the Burras’ best players 12 times. He played a shut-down role in the back half in the league’s interleague win, dominated in the Worksafe Game of the Month against Dimboola and should be a Toohey Medal contender.

Sam Clyne, Horsham Saints: Clyne has enjoyed a stellar debut season at the Saints. He has been a major factor in the club’s top-two finish and could be a Toohey Medal smokey. The former North Ballarat-listed midfielder has been named among the Saints’ best players in 13 matches – with five best-on-ground efforts – and finished runner-up in the champion footballer award.

Half-forwards

Daniel Mendes, Ararat: Mendes has helped break Ararat’s fi nals drought in his debut Wimmera league season. Along with Saint Clyne and team-mate Beau Cosson, Mendes is a contender for recruit of the year. He has added a touch of class to the Rats’ midfi eld. He kicked 28 goals and has been named in the side’s best on 11 occasions.

Jordyn Burke, Horsham: The Horsham co-coach has again been among his side’s best performers and has been selected as the team of the year captain. Capable of playing in the ruck and up forward, Burke has kicked 27 goals, been named in the Demons’ best players nine times and guided the club to the minor premiership.

Beau Cosson, Ararat: Cosson was a major boost to Ararat’s rise up the ladder this season. The key forward finished the season with 50 goals – plus five in the league’s interleague win and two for Vic Country 2. He provided the Rats with a strong but agile marking target and kicked three or more goals on 10 occasions.

Forwards

Gavin Kelm, Horsham Saints: The Saints spearhead enjoyed a prominent year around goal. Kelm finished with 63 goals, which included hauls of four or more on 10 occasions. He started the year with 22 goals in four matches, played every game and was only held goal-less on one occasion.

Lachie Exell, Dimboola: Dimboola’s full forward had another successful year despite the Roos not making the finals. He formed a two-pronged forward line with team-mate Ash Clugston, finished as the league’s leading goal-kicker with 68 majors and kicked three in the interleague win.

Ash Clugston, Dimboola: One of four Dimboola players in the team of the year, Clugston also enjoyed a super year. He averaged four goals a game, finishing with 64 majors, and was only held goal-less on one occasion.

Ruck

Kieran Delahunty, Minyip-Murtoa: Delahunty’s influence at Minyip-Murtoa has been massive – literally. He played three games last year around commitments with Northern Blues in the VFL and has been a vital component of the Burras’ success.

Nick Pekin, Horsham: The Horsham star could well have Toohey Medal favouritism after a stellar season for the minor premier. Not only did Pekin dominate through the middle of the ground, he was equally effective up forward, kicking 49 goals – including 10 against Stawell.

Tom Eckel, Stawell: The captain and on-baller was named among the Warriors’ best players 12 times and won the champion footballer award. Best-on-ground performances against Nhill on two occasions helped the club finish with two wins.

Interchange

Andrew Seers, Dimboola: Seers was far and away the most consistent performer in the Roos’ engine room this year. The midfielder played in 15 matches and was named in the club’s best players on 10 occasions.

Brad Hartigan, Horsham: After a quiet star to the year, the Horsham co-coach and midfielder had a major influence in the side’s minor premiership on and off the field. Hartigan only missed one game and was named in the club’s best performers eight times.

Sean Christopher, Horsham: The versatile Horsham tall has been picked in this team to fill a variety of roles. Christopher, who returned to the Demons this season, showed he was capable of performing at either end of the ground. He finished with 36 goals and nine mentions in the Demons’ best players.