The 24-year-old missed last week’s preliminary final due to a minor calf complaint, but returned emphatically to provide the Blues’ with much-needed run off half-back in their upset grand final win.

He linked countless times with Victorian Country medallist James Willsher, whose polish and composure on the ball was crucial in Nirranda’s victory.

The former Terang Mortlake youth shared the emotional triumph with brother Nathan, who is a playing-assistant coach at the club.

“It’s unreal. I still can’t believe it. It’s just all gone so quick, getting the medals and everything,” he said.

“(The week off) did me really well.

“I only just missed out last week but coming into this, fresh as a daisy, I was right to have a go at it.”

A key cog in a team known for its contested ball use, Couch said the Blues identified a need to improve their outside run if they were a chance of winning the premiership.

He believed they had improved their run and carry of the ball during the course of the finals campaign – an important factor in the win.

Willsher, whose medal was awarded on the back of votes from a panel of judges, joined Matthew Lloyd, John Paulin and Grayden Russell among the Blues’ best.

The former Warrnambool onballer crossed to Nirranda this season to play with his brother Dylan, who played an outside midfield role in the drought-breaking victory.

He played every game of the season and booted 30 goals to strengthen his club best-and-fairest credentials, while Couch ran out 14 times for the Navy Blues.

He said he and the Blues had adopted a fearless approach throughout the finals series with “nothing to lose”.

“We pride ourselves on our one-percenters, and they were up again. We came from fifth and they had everything to lose while we had nothing,” Willsher said.

“The committee and supporters worked so hard for this and I think something like this means as much to them, if not more, than it does to the players.

“They love the club.”