Hugh McCluggage has been crowned the North Ballarat Rebels 2016 best and fairest winner.
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McCluggage was honoured to win the Adam Goodes Trophy, polling 295 votes at Saturday’s count, holding out fellow midfielder Willem Drew by eight votes and Callan Wellings on 193. The number one draft pick prospect played just the 12 games given his national championship commitments, but all of his TAC Cup performances were quality – being named in the Rebels’ best three players on every occasion, best in seven of those.
To win the Adam Goodes Trophy after 12 games just shows the quality of player he has been this year and the impact he made when he has played those games.
- Rebels talent manager Phil Partington
North Ballarat Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said the award tops off what was an outstanding season.
“He was over the moon, to cap his season off with the Adam Goodes Trophy, which is a pretty unique and special award, he really acknowledged that,” Partington said.
“To win the Adam Goodes Trophy after 12 games just shows the quality of player he has been this year and the impact he made when he has played those games.”
The award caps a memorable season for McCluggage. The goal-kicking midfielder booted 25 goals from his 12 games and averaged 28 disposals on his way to winning the TAC Cup's Morrish Medal and was Vic Country's MVP at the national championships. As to who will be the first name read out at the National Draft on November 25, it is widely-tipped to be a two-horse race between McCluggage and Vic Metro’s rebounding defender Andrew McGrath. While it looks likely McCluggage will play mainly off a half-forward flank early in his career before adding a few kilos to his frame in order to break into an AFL midfield rotation. McClugagge’s damaging potential was on display in his round 5 performance where he racked up 36 touches, kicked five goals and laid eight tackles.
The Rebels voting system sees three coaches each award five players a score out of 10, allowing a maximum of 30 votes per game. Naish McRoberts won the Sewell Trophy for the best first-year player. Captain Jarrod Berry won the players award while Clay Bilney and Lachlan Huppatz received the coaches’ awards.