KOLORA-NOORAT midfielder Brad Johnson last night capped a brilliant year with a thrilling victory in last night's J.A Esam Medal.
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Johnson and the Power dominated last night's Warrnambool and District Football Netball League awards night at Warrnambool's City Memorial Bowls Club.
Johnson's two-vote win in the senior best and fairest award came after club mate David Mills won the Mike Hamblin Medal for the reserves best and fairest while Steven Clissold won the reserves goal kicking award. The Power took out the club championship award.
The A grade netball best and fairest count ended in a dramatic tie with East Warrnambool goal attack Deanne Jaynes and Merrivale goal attack Danielle McInerney each polling 26 votes. Jaynes drew level with a best-on-court display in round 17 but both failed to poll in the final match of the season.
It was the second tie in the award's 20-year history and first since 1993.
As for Johnson, it was the biggest individual award of his short and not his only prize of the night.
Along with winning the J.A Esam Medal for the WDFNL’s best and fairest player, the Kolora-Noorat midfielder was also the joint winner of a sponsor’s award and was named in the league’s team of the year.
It was Johnson’s second league best and fairest award, seven years after he won the under 17 honour in 2004.
Johnson, who was a member of the Power’s 2009 premiership side, missed last year’s flag while working in Mount Isa.
Johnson said he was stunned to win.
“I’m shocked, I’m lost for words,” he said.
“I didn’t think I played that well in the middle part of the season so I was happy to get votes early.”
He was two votes clear of a fast-finishing James Kelly, of Merrivale.
Kelly, also a midfielder, said he was enjoying being part of an improving engine room for the Tigers.
“We are starting to build a really good midfield and a good team, two years of playing together is starting to click,” Kelly said.
Johnson, who played 17 games, was recognised by the umpires in nine of them. He was voted best on ground six times and received three twos. He set up the win early in the season, polling 14 votes in the first five games, including four threes.
