Herbert claimed the honour in the TAC Cup’s Morrish Medal count at Etihad Stadium last night.

He also caught the attention of selectors to be named in the TAC Cup Team of the Year at half-back.

Rebels captain Matt Crouch was named in the centre.

A South Warrnambool export, Herbert plays with the Rebels under the 19-year-old rule and proved a handy, consistent addition to Vic Country’s under-18 national campaign.

Established as a strong-marking forward last year, Herbert relished more time in the Rebels’ midfield this season, averaging 18.2 disposals in 12 games.

Crouch, from Beaufort Football Club, worked his way back on field from a broken hand to make a strong impact for Vic Country and the Rebels late in the season.

Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said it was a great result in what had been a tough on-field year for the Rebels.

“It’s a good celebration for our players,” Partington said.

“(Herbert) was very stunned and very humbled by it (coaches’ award) and was certainly not expecting to win it. 

“Matt only played about seven games this year and got the highest votes for the Rebels in the Morrish Medal count, and if he had played the whole season he would have been a good contender to win it.”

In a hard season the Rebels won two games this year mostly sporting an inexperienced and largely bottom-age playing group.

Crouch and Herbert continue to train and prepare for the AFL combine, which is in early October, while the Rebels will host their Adam Goodes Trophy presentation on October 6.

Meanwhile the TAC Cup celebrated a historic four-way tie in Morrish Medal honours.

This comes one week after the Victorian Football League’ JJ Liston Trophy was shared by three players, including North Ballarat’s Steve Clifton.

Bendigo Pioneers’ Jacob Chisari, Eastern Ranges’ Ben Cavarra, Geelong Falcons’ George Cameron and Gippsland Power’s Josh Scott provided the first quadruple tie in the Morrish history.

Only twice before has the Morris Medal posted multiple winners — 2008 when the Power’s Jarryd Blair and Murray Bushranger Fabian Priest dead-heated, and again two years later with Gippsland’s Dyson Heppell and Sandringham Dragon’s Jackson Sketcher.

The Rebels also ranked third on the evening in the TAC Speed Hurts campaign award.