Matt Hanson wasted no time making an impression at Werribee Tigers.
The hard-tackling inside midfielder from Tasmania took out the 2015 Bruce Montgomery Trophy for best-and-fairest in his debut VFL season.
Hanson epitomises the Tigers’ success in recruiting quality players from the Tasmanian State League. Arriving fresh from a stellar year with the TSL’s Western Storm, when he came runner-up for the Alastair Lynch Medal, Hanson looked the part from the get-go.
Having declined an invitation to join Werribee the year before, he knew it was important to hit the ground running and he did just that, securing a place in the Tigers’ line-up for the opening game against Geelong and maintaining form through the season.
Hanson capped his debut year with VFL team-of-the-year honours, and there could be a sneaky chance of hearing his name read out on draft night, if AFL recruiters were taking note.
Jake Wilson was runner-up in Werribee’s vote count. The key defender also made the team-of- the-year and has been invited to state screening ahead of the draft.
Former Brisbane Lions rookie Isaac Conway rounded out the placings. The midfielder was also named as a team-of- the-year member.
Luke Maddock took out the Tigers’ development league best-and-fairest, ahead of Hugh Wales, with Braden Ferrari and Matthew Pickering tying for third.
Other awards went to Matt Munro (best first-year player), Josh Porter (coach’s award), James Hussey (most improved), Doug Joiner (best club person) and Lee Dale (community award).
The Tigers awarded life memberships to Ben Speight, Ashley Moloney, George Riddiford and Stan Hodson.
