Bottom-age Terang Mortlake footballer Lewis Taylor claimed the Doug McConnell medal with 28 votes — 10 ahead of joint runners-up Damien Moloney (Emmanuel Hawks) and Liam Youl (South Warrnambool).

About 210 players, parents and club officials packed the new Camperdown Football Netball Club social rooms for the awards night.

Moments before the under 16 count began, Lewis was congratulated for his stellar year away from the juniors’ Sunday competition.

The 15-year-old captained the Victorian Country under 15s at the national championships in Perth last month.

He came runner-up in the week-long tournament’s best and fairest tally and was named in the prestigious team of the carnival.

The Mercy Regional College student also skippered the Hampden Schoolboys to victory at the state country championships in July.

Once again, he was selected in the team of the carnival.

His swag of commitments outside the Hampden Juniors league made him doubt his chances of the top honour.

“I missed four or five games,” he said.

“I didn’t know how I’d go.”

The classy player spent most of his time in the midfield but had some stints in the forward line.

He was best-on-ground on eight occasions, four of which were in Terang Mortlake’s opening four encounters.

Lewis said his roles in the thick of the action would have helped him be noticed by umpires.

“They’re pretty good positions,” he said.

“You can chase the ball, you’re around the ball a lot.”

Lewis is no stranger to polling highly at the league’s annual vote count.

Two seasons ago he finished third in the under 14 count as a bottom-age player.

Last year he took out the award, 13 votes clear of Damien Moloney.

But the modest teenager said he did not play for personal accolades.

“I think I had an OK season,” he said.

“But I go out to win the game and win as a team.”

The Bloods missed out on a ticket to the grand final after stumbling against Colac on Saturday.

They now face a do-or-die battle with Warrnambool this weekend.

“We started really good against Colac,” he said.

“But we just ran out of legs, I’m not sure why.

“We’ve beaten Warrnambool both times before but that doesn’t really mean anything.”

After being part of two losing teams in the past two years, Lewis said it was his time to get his hands on the cup.

“It would be good to finally win a granny,” he said.

Damien and Liam finished with 18 votes.

mrooth@standard.fairf ax.com.au