Dillon Viojo-Rainbow has claimed back to back Barry Priest Medals, for the best player in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The former-AFL listed player joined Werribee Districts in 2019 after having also played in the Victorian Football League.
With a bit of luck with injuries finally falling his way in 2022, Viojo-Rainbow started to show that form that saw him play at the higher level.
Viojo-Rainbow said he had no idea that he would be in contention for the medal.
“I was surprised when I got the phone call that I was invited to the league best and fairest night, I thought it was a stitch up or something,” he said.
“I had an okay start to the year but tailed off a bit towards the back end.
“So, I didn’t think I had much of a chance of even making the top five, let alone winning it.
“It was as much surprise as it was a shock when I won the award… disbelief really.”
Last season, it was much the opposite for Viojo-Rainbow, with a slow start to the year, ending with a strong run of form.
“To win two [Barry Priest Medals] let alone go back to back is pretty special,” he said.
“It’s something I’ll look back on fondly when my time in footy’s done.
“Tim Jenkins who’s just come on board at the club, who’s got a couple to his name as well and everyone speaks of him in high regard, so having two next to my name is pretty exciting.”
This is the more special of the two awards, being in a premiership year Viojo-Rainbow said.
“To win it in a premiership year is pretty big, it’s a weird feeling, I’m wrapped but absolutely more wrapped with the year and winning the flag more than anything.”
Adding to the incredible year for Viojo-Rainbow was being able to play in the premiership with his brother Lachlan Rainbow, who was also named in the division 1 team of the year.
“To play senior footy with him and to watch him grow from when he was young to now and then winning a flag with him was unbelievable,” Viojo-Rainbow said.
“When the siren went off, I got absolutely slammed by someone, and it was him just tackling me to the ground.
“It means a lot to share those moments with your brother, it’s something that we will look back on as a family, it’s pretty special.”
