Close, who co-captained the VFL side this season, received the Best Clubman Award at Friday night’s presentation award in Melbourne. Close said it was a great honour to receive the award.

“To me it means a little bit more than winning a best and fairest because you’re recognised by the club for doing a good deed,” he said.

“It’s something I strive for and coming from a country background, you know the importance of having that community and people helping out at a club.”

Close enjoyed being a leader in the group and said even though he is only 24 years old, he was one of the older players in the side.

“I liked the leadership. I always saw myself as trying to be a bit of a leader and with a young group, I was actually one of the older ones and had to step up,” he said.

“It is a great league and the people at the club made it a lot easier. I was travelling from Geelong but we had a good group of fellas and the standard of footy was really competitive. It was a good year and I learned a lot.”

It was a mixed season for Close, who’s season was cut short in June after he suffered a serious head injury. 

“It’s a pity I couldn’t play the whole season but I’m going quite well,” he said. “I’ve seen all the specialists and got the tick of approval. I just need to see the main specialist but it’s looking okay.”

Close is yet to make a decision on where he will play his football next season.