A BIG pre-season set Warrnambool youngster Dean Gavin up to claim North Ballarat Rebels' highest individual accolade.
Gavin won the Adam Goodes Trophy as the Rebels' best and fairest, presented in person by the dual Brownlow medallist at the Mercure Ballarat.
The Rebels' midfielder said it was a huge honour to meet Goodes, let alone win the award named in his honour.
"He's a superstar - it's something I'll always remember," Gavin said.
"This tops off one of my best years of football.
"I set out to play every game for the Rebels and to give myself a good chance of contributing to the team and I achieved that."
Gavin was among the Rebels' first Warrnambool intake from their new TAC Cup under-18 recruiting zone.
He transferred from rival club Geelong Falcons and made his mark averaging 25 possession in the midfield each game.
Gavin relished a chance to develop as a team leader when key players were away on Vic Country duties and said the chance to step-up had helped him improve as a footballer.
The results was telling in the voting tally.
Gavin polled in every game from round 10 to the Rebels' elimination final for 243 votes.
Fellow Warrnambool Rebel Liam Hoy did the same to finish a close runner-up with 234 votes while Ballarat Clarendon College boarder Josh Free was third on 169 votes.
Full-back Marcus Darmody continued the Warrnambool trend, claiming best first-year player award.
Gavin said his dad had been his biggest supporter, making the trip to every TAC Cup and game.
When the Rebels season finished, Gavin returned to his home club Koroit and played a key role in the Saints' Hampden Football League senior premiership.
Gavin, currently completing year 12, was not sure what next year would bring but he hoped to keep improving his game wherever he might end up.