Geelong Falcons star Lachie Jaques has put one final individual honour to his name as he prepares for the AFL draft period.
Jaques – widely tipped to find a home in next week’s National Draft – claimed the Norris Harding Medal.
The St Mary’s product polled 27.99 votes to narrowly claim the award ahead of Noah Tullio on 27.25 and Edan Ibbetson on 26.98.
Falcons talent lead Jesse Drever said Jaques has made his mark at every level.
“He didn’t have too much exposure at the Coates League level last year, but he came in as our captain and hit the ground running,” Drever said.
“He did the same with Vic Country; ends up with an All-Australian selection and team of the year selection, then claims our best and fairest.
“He’s shown that ability at every level, and that’s a level of confidence he can show to AFL clubs.”
Fellow draft prospect Xavier Ivisic finished the count in seventh place.
The top five also saw a surprising result, with Will McLachlan finishing fifth on 17.41 votes despite being drafted to the Brisbane Lions as a mid-season rookie selection in May.
“Those six weeks were the difference,” Drever said.
“There had always been the flashes of talent, and there was already interest, but the way he played in those first few rounds with the Falcons showed clubs there was a reason to take that chance.
“He’s shown more of that ability since heading to the Lions and has obviously been rewarded with another year.”
Hayley Peck has claimed the inaugural Lucy McEvoy medal as the best player in the girl’s program.
Peck, from Grovedale, finished on 38.75 votes to edge out Sara Howley on 38.25, ending Howley’s bid for a third straight award.
Mekah Morrissy (24.00) rounded out the podium.
Drever said Peck, who also made one VFLW appearance with Geelong, had shown her ability all season, but especially at the end of the year.
“She was consistent from day dot, but as the year went on, she started to develop that confidence in how she could influence big games,” he said.
“When we came to finals, it really showed, especially in that game with Tasmania. She knows now, as a player, she can take the contest by the scruff of the neck.
“It earned her the chance to get the train-on spot with Geelong in the AFLW, and it will give an opportunity for her to develop that more into long term footy.”
The club announced on Friday night the medal would be named after McEvoy, the club’s inaugural girls skipper, as well as a premiership captain and dual All-Australian.
McEvoy said in a video to the club that she was “lost for words” at the honour.
Voting in this year’s Norris Harding and Lucy McEvoy medals was adjusted to properly reflect the number of coaches and who is coaching each week. The overall votes received each game by a player are divided by the number of coaches who voted for that game. The maximum a player can receive is 5 votes for a game.
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