West Footscray’s Jai Haines and Wyndhamvale’s Lewis Stanton were on the edge of their seats heading into the final round of counting in the Alan Smith Medal.
The pair were sitting equal first in the award for the best player in the Western Football League division 2 with one round remaining.
Haines had 32 disposals in a big final round win against Tarneit, while Stanton kicked eight goals in a demolition job against Albanvale.
As luck would have it, neither would poll in the final round leaving the pair to share the Alan Smith Medal after polling 21 votes each.
North Footscray’s Matthew Serafin also finished on 21 votes but was ineligible after being suspended during the season.
Haines said it was something that he hadn’t expected heading into the night.
“That obviously feels very great, something I’m very proud of,” he said. “Something I honestly didn’t expect, I will take it.
“I didn’t expect the vote count to come, I had seen all the others and they had just announced the winner, so when they started round 16 whenever it was, I did actually get a bit nervous as my name was up there in the count
“Very proud and humbled to be the recipient of the award alongside Lewis.”
It was Haines first season at West Footscray.
He said he thought he had a really good year and had a lot of support from the people around him all year.
“I want to continue my footy there next year and the years to come.”
Haines thought he had a good game in the final round and the coaches named him their best post match.
He said Stanton was also good in the final round and could have quite easily polled as well.
“We’re both deserving winners,” he said.
For Stanton, the Alan Smith Medal capped off a season most players can only dream of.
After crossing from Yarraville Seddon, he kicked 125 for the season and played a key role in the Falcons claiming the division 2 premiership.
“Ëverything sort of pieced together and everything went well,” he said. “The goal was always a premiership at the end of the day, it was never of the individual awards.
“It’s sort of the dream year at the end of the day. You don’t expect to kick 100 goals, don’t expect to win the league medal.
“I’m always about the team first but it’s nice to be noticed.”
Stanton was out of the room doing media for his leading goalkicking award when the count started.
He said he had no idea what was going on when he came back in.
“I’m very happy Jai was here to share it with me, me by myself a bit weird,” he said.
“I’m very proud and privileged to win the award.”
After having a mullet all season, Stanton appeared with a shaved head at the presentation night.
He said some Mad Monday antics saw him get rid of it.
“Mad Monday I went as Bruce Doull and shaved the top of my head,” he said. “Maybe not [grow it back] but a lot of people have said they like it.
“I feel quicker with it.”
