A HAMPDEN league duo finished one-two in North Ballarat Rebels’ best and fairest on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Potential number one draft pick Hugh McCluggage capped off a stunning season, winning the Adam Goodes Trophy despite playing only 12 games for the TAC Cup club.
The South Warrnambool goal kicking-midfielder edged out three-time Koroit premiership player Willem Drew, who finished five votes adrift.
Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said the pair’s consistency set them apart.
“The way we do votes we have three coaches put cards in and they vote for five players and rank them out of 10,” he said.
“The maximum votes you can get in one game is 30 votes and coming into the last game there was only five or six votes between first and second.
“Hugh got 24 votes and Drewy got 23 votes.”
The win capped off a stunning season for McCluggage in which he won the TAC Cup’s Morrish Medal and was named Vic Country’s best at the AFL under 18 national championships.
“He’s done very, very well and it’s a credit to him because his off-season was interrupted, coming off a lower back injury,” Partington said.
“He’s a good player and, more importantly, a good young man.”
Partington said Drew, who was named best-on-ground in the Saints’ flag last month, was “our most consistent player”.
“He is always trying to improve himself, on and off the ground,” he said.
Portland running machine Lochie Huppatz collected the coaches’ award for his commitment to training and Koroit swingman Jarrod Korewha the personal growth award.