Midfielder Dan London took out the club’s best and fairest award.

Coach Jason DeGraaf said London’s experience was invaluable to the developing side. “At 29 he was the second oldest player in our side,” he said. “He didn’t play at all last season but came back to football without missing a beat and was just ultra consistent for us who travelled from Melbourne each. He wasn’t training with the boys but just knows how to play the game.”

Jake Tillig finished two votes behind London as the runner-up. DeGraaf said the 20-year-old benefited from playing alongside London through the middle of the ground. “The pair of them worked off each other well through the midfield,” DeGraaf said. “They were different types of players but Dan pushed Jake.”

Defender Lochlan Flanagan, 16, was awarded the club’s most improved award. “His improvement from the start of season through to the end was massive,” DeGraaf said. “He came up against older, bigger and more experienced players each week but you could see his confidence grow during the season. His mindset was very defensive to start with but as the season progressed you could see him attacking more as he learnt his strengths.”

Caleb Bloomer won most consistent award after putting in another strong season travelling with Melbourne. Nic Baldwin was the side’s most determined player. “Those two are just great players for the club,” DeGraaf said. “They just play each game at full tilt and hit every contest hard.” Bailey Duward and Mitch Egan were two more of the side’s 16 years olds that won awards, taking out the best first year player and coaches awards respectively. 

“They are two kids that will listen to everything you say, be at every training session and just just knuckle down to try and do their jobs on Saturday,” DeGraaf said.

During the season the club played six under-16 players in its senior side and a further six first year players.

DeGraaf said the club is well positioned if it can keep the group of young players together. “I think the under-16s are a good chance of winning the premiership,” he said. “There is obviously the talent there, it just needs to be nurtured in the right way. It’s not going to happen next season, or the season after that but if things are done correctly it will be sustainable for the next 10 years.”

Work commitments will mean DeGraaf will not return as senior coach next season but he said he enjoyed his time at the club. “It’s a great club with great people,” he said. “I hope they get strong applicants who will take the club in the right direction. I will still be keeping an eye on things from afar.”