West End-Allansford player who won league's highest honour in 1971 tops J.A Esam Medal poll

The next year, just two games into the season, he was forced to retire from football aged 27.

Thwaites, now 75, injured his ankle and, as was the case in those days, had to put work first.

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"I had about three days off and when I got back to work they said 'it's either work or sport'," he recalled.

"I had to retire. It was hard but Val and I had only been married two years at that time and Jason was born and the second one (Leigh) was on the way.

"Back then times were different and I thought 'I can't afford to lose my job' so I had to tell the footy club 'I have to give it away'."

Thwaites topped The Standard's poll to find the best J. A Esam Medallist of the past 50 years, collecting 329 of the 1185 votes collected at the time this article was written.

The talented utility claimed "I might have a couple of good media managers", saying there was only one player worthy of the title.

"There was only one bloke who should've won that by an absolute streak and that was Wayne Cox," Thwaites said.

"When you win four-in-a-row he should've bolted it in."

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Thwaites coached Cox, who became a star for Dennington, in the under 18s at Warrnambool in the 1970s.

"He always had the ability," he said.

"He was as tough as nails but he was still a very skilled player."

Kolora-Noorat's Corey Rounds (2012) was third with 208 votes followed by Russells Creek's Iain Jackson (1987) with 93.

Thwaites' career started at West End-Allansford in 1963 and the following year he was runner-up in the league best and fairest despite playing four games for Hampden league club Warrnambool on permit.

He spent four seasons (1965-68) at Warrnambool, winning a premiership in '66, before rejoining West End in '69.

His Esam Medal win in 1971 coincided with West End's amalgamation with Allansford. He was part of a premiership team that year too.

Warrnambool regained his services as under 18 coach after his retirement.

He led the Blues' colts from 1973-76, winning two flags, and returned for a second stint as mentor in the early 1980s.

Almost 50 years on, Thwaites still downplays his achievements.

"I reckon I was a very average player," he said.

He played everywhere - wing, centre, half-forward, ruck, centre-half-forward, forward pocket - and his versatility earned him a spot in the Hampden interleague team during his time at the Blues.

"I was lucky enough in '67 I played in two Hampden league representative games," Thwaites.

"I played on the wing and that was one helluva a thrill because I never thought I'd get a game of football with Warrnambool (let alone the league)."

Thwaites said his career achievements were a result of a determined attitude.

"I remember when I was a kid and I couldn't even get a game in the firsts at school," he said.

"I just loved trying to play footy. You keep working away at it and some good things do come for you."

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