The award marks back-to-back medals for Goonan and a second for Johnson, who each dominated the count at Bray Raceway to poll an impressive 18 votes apiece as Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts best and fairests.

It was a deserving result for the pair, who each finished the home-and-away season as the top performer in their disciplines for the past decade: Goonan with a 775-run batting aggregate and Johnson with 45 wickets.

Goonan shared the spotlight after winning the Cleary medal alongside East Ballarat all-rounder Nathan Yates last season.

Goonan said it was special to again share the award alongside another of the competition's strongest players.

Back-to-back wins though, came as a surprise.

"It's good but I would have preferred to be playing in the grand final at the weekend," Goonan said.

"You come here after having a good year but it's not something you expect."

The Mounties skipper led his team to the semi-finals with a total 775 runs this season, the highest batting aggregate since the award was introduced in 1999-2000.

And he missed the opening round.

His tally passes former South Australian batsman Matt Kelton's 718 runs for Golden Point in 2005-06.

Goonan averaged 90.63 runs and his work at the crease included two centuries and two unbeaten stands. He made 517 runs when he tied for the medal last summer.

Goonan paid tribute to his team-mates for their support on and off the field this summer.

"You can't make runs batting up one end by yourself, you need someone to run between the wickets with you," Goonan said.

"This medal means a lot to them too.

"When you're sitting there knowing you're close in the count they cheer you on."

"The club gets a fair boost out of it."

Johnson agreed and said the medal was a reflection on the hard work of the entire team.

He rated the honour just as highly as his first Cleary medal, which he won in the 2007-08 season.