Boyd polled 37 votes to claim the honour in front of a big crowd at City Memorial Bowls Club.

She beat Old Collegians goal shooter Stephanie Towsend  and Panmure defender Emma Roache, who were joint runners-up on 28 votes.

The 21-year-old midcourter is in her second season at Dennington, having previously played at South Warrnambool and Warrnambool.

She said the win was an unexpected honour.

“I didn’t expect this at all.  I thought it would have been either Emma Roache or Steph Townsend,” Boyd said.

“It is a really good competition. Every game you play is tough and it is always challenging

“Sue Fleming is a great coach and she is so encouraging to all the players.”

Boyd started the season in fine fashion, earning three votes in the big opening round win over East Warrnambool.

It signalled the start of an epic season in which she was adjudged best on court nine times. She also polled four two votes and two one votes to have her listed in the umpires’ top three 15 times out of 18 matches played.

Those best on courts came in rounds one, three and six before she hit a purple patch in the middle of the season that set up her victory.

She drew top votes in rounds nine, 10, 12, 13 and 14 and two in round 11.

Boyd then finished the season as she started, polling three votes in the Dogs’ final round victory over South Rovers.

Townsend finished the season with a flurry, producing four three-vote games in the last five rounds.

Roache polled in nine straight games from round eight, including three votes in round 16, a game in which she also suffered a season-ending knee injury.

While it was her first league best and fairest win at senior level, Boyd has previously been victorious at junior level.

She won a Hampden league under 15 reserves best and fairest in 2006 and the under 15 award in 2008 while playing with South Warrnambool.

Boyd will now focus on her team’s second semi-final clash against Old Collegians on Saturday, in which she will likely start centre.