Field split his time between the reserves and seniors during the season but polled enough votes in his eight games to finish a vote clear of Ararat’s Jake Strafehl and Warrack Eagles’ Jordan Taylor.

Field reached his final tally of 15 votes by the end of round 11, and all 15 came from best on ground performances.

In comparison Strafehl played all season for Ararat and polled in half of his side’s games. “I was definitely very surprised that I managed to do so well,” Strafehl said. 

“I didn’t think I’d poll in any where that many games.”

Strafehl coached the Rats reserves to a semi-final appearance after finishing the regular season in fourth place.

He joked that he benefited from being able to pick himself in the centre.

“That always helps,” he said.

“The boys obviously played a bit part, we’ve got a good bunch of boys and for an old bloke like me it’s important to still have the young boys coming through.”

Taylor also played all 16 games for the Eagles’ reserves side and polled in seven of them.

It was the second year in a row he had finished runner-up by one vote.

“I thought I’d try to get one up on last year but Fieldsy was just too good against us and did really well,” Taylor said.

“Our whole twos team is a great bunch of blokes and they never gave up all year.

“Unfortunately we didn’t make finals but I guess its better luck next year.”

Experience Horsham Saints player Gavin Kelm was third.

Shane Field, Stawell, 15

Jake Strafehl, Ararat,14

Jordan Taylor, Warrack Eagles, 14

Gavin Kelm, Horsham Saints, 13

Jack Merlo, Horsham Demons, 12

Daniel Smith, Minyip-Murtoa, 12

Lachlan Jordan, Minyip-Murtoa, 11

James Devery, Stawell, 9

Andrew Seers, Horsham Demons, 9

Nathan Tepper, Minyip-Murtoa, 7