The Eagles defender was crowned at Wednesday night’s function, hosted by the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia Ballarat branch.

Clifford played in all of Gordon’s 19 games throughout the season – including two finals – where he proved an important cog in the team’s backline.

The 17-year-old was named in the Eagles’ best on seven occasions during the campaign, which ended in a preliminary final defeat at the hands of eventual premiers Bungaree.

This season was Clifford’s second at senior level after playing 17 games in 2013.

While still eligible for the under-17.5 side this year, he put all his focus into the senior side. 

Despite not playing any junior games in Eagles colours, he did captain one of the Central Highlands’ under-17.5 teams in an intraleague encounter in May.

The homegrown Gordon talent, who has played at the club since the age of 12, was selected as leading rookie by the league’s board of management, which sorted through the 18 nominees before arriving at a decision.

Clifford now holds the tag won by Springbank onballer Joel Maher (2013), Daylesford forward Sebastian Walsh (2012) and fellow Bulldog Darcy Shewell (2011) in recent years.

Wednesday night’s function included a guest appearance from former Richmond, Port Adelaide and Melbourne footballer David Rodan.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

BALLAN: Michael Snaith

BEAUFORT: Lachie Pfeifer

BUNGAREE: Steven Ryan

BUNINYONG: Jack Robertson

CARNGHAM-LINTON: Brad McDonald

CLUNES: Lachlan Wrigley

CRESWICK: Brad Dunbar

DAYLESFORD: Josh Clough

DUNNSTOWN: Mitch Kennedy

GORDON: Gerard Clifford

HEPBURN: Finn Anscombe

LEARMONTH: Jackson Ford

NEWLYN: Sean Dummett

ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP: Caius Barrenger

SKIPTON: Bryan Smith

SMYTHESDALE: Andrew Baker

SPRINGBANK: Darcy Osborne

WAUBRA: Nathan Lilley

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au