Dom Brew will already go down as a legend of the Werribee Football Club but he further enhanced his credentials as he won a third straight Bruce Montgomery Trophy.
The star midfielder was a runaway winner in the Tigers’ best and fairest award, finishing 40 votes clear of Hudson Garoni and Bior Malual in equal second.
Brew became just the third player in Werribee history to win the trophy in three successive years, joining Matt Hanson and Travis Robertson.
“It’s pretty good,” Brew said. “It’s not something you think about too much but it’s pretty special.
“To be alongside Matty and Trav… You walk into the club and you never think you’ll be spoken about alongside them.
“It’s really good.”
Brew said he thought he’d had a good year but wasn’t sure how the best and fairest votes would go.
He said defender Ryan Eyers, who won the best first year player, would have gone close had he played the full season.
Brew said he thought his season was even better than last year when he won the J.J Liston Medal as the Victorian Football League’s best player.
“I played every game and I was consistent all year,” he said. “I think it was on par with last season, if not a little bit better than last year.
“We didn’t get the wins on the board. After going from a good year to a great year the big question is then about improving parts of your game, the little things not many people notice.
“It was a good year and I’m focusing on putting it all together next year.”
Brew’s season came after he spent the pre-season at the Western Bulldogs as he tried to earn a spot on their AFL list.
While he didn’t end up getting the last spot on the list, it was something that he took plenty out of.
“It was pretty cool and I’m grateful to have that opportunity,” he said. “They’re a good team and there was a bit of frustration doing my quad.
“Doing a pre-season with an AFL club sets you in good stead and training with elite players in the midfield, who are almost all in the Australian squad, you get to sharpen the iron.
“It was pretty cool.”
Brew said he’s realistic that his chances of making the AFL are all but over.
While that’s the case, he said he’s even more focused on Werribee than he had been in the past.
Brew is keen on tasting more team success.
After two straight grand finals and last year’s premiership, the Tigers struggled this season.
“I’m focused on team success more than ever,” he said. “I want to help the young group get back to the top of the mountain. I have a lot of fun doing it.
“They are who keep me coming back.”
Brew said seeing the young players who got their opportunities this year would be better for it next year.
He highlighted Eyers, Brady Wright and Jake Smith as three who were leading the young talent coming through.
