Winner: Hepburn’s Andy McKay proudly shows his medal after last night’s award ceremony. PICTURE: JUSTIN WHITELOCK
ANDY McKay is widely regarded as the Central Highlands Football League’s best player, and now he has a medal to prove it.
The Hepburn star last night collected a two-vote win over Newlyn joint-coach Adam Sewell to claim his first Geoff Taylor Medal.
McKay was named best on ground in the final-round clash against the Cats to overrun Sewell and clinch the outright result.
The 25-year-old said the award was a massive honour.
“I knew Sewelly, coming from the Ballarat Football League, would be really tough competition and knew he’d be up there as well,” said McKay, who was also named in the league’s team of the year.
“I really think I’ve played the same as any other year. I think I’ve had a fairly good season.”
McKay featured in all 17 of the home and away rounds, registering four best-on-ground performances, while polling in 11 separate games.
The flashy midfielder/forward, known by teammates as ‘Hollywood’, booted 55 goals during the regular season.
He said the award sat high on his list of achievements, but still behind his senior premierships with the club.
“You can’t get any better than that, so hopefully this year we can get there again,” he said.
Daylesford veteran Scott Winduss finished third, with Bungaree’s Joel Mahar, Springbank onballer Luke Fisher and Newlyn midfielder Tristan May in a tie for fourth.
More than 300 people gathered at the Mercure Ballarat Hotel Accommodation and Convention Centre last night for the annual football and netball presentation evening.