After finishing runner-up in his first two seasons in the league since crossing from Central Highlands club Crewsick, Lockyer won the award by one vote from Penshurst’s Justin Eales on Sunday.

“It was good to finally get first place in it after coming runner-up the last two years,” Lockyer said.

“It came right down to the last vote card. I was pretty nervous, but I cope well with nerves at the best of times.”

Although the honour was Lockyer’s first league award, he has club best and fairest awards to his credit – one at Lismore Derrinallum in its premiership season of 2015 and a couple at Creswick.

It’s been a big few weeks for the 26-year-old, whose second child, Parker, was born two weeks ago on Tuesday.

His Demons are again through to the MDFL senior footy grand final after a comprehensive 19.19 (133) to 11.6 (72) win over Moyston-Willaura in Saturday’s preliminary final.

Lismore-Derrinallum will take on Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in the decider, hoping to reverse the result against the team which defeated it in the qualifying final.

Lockyer was best on field in the prelim, booting three goals. His coach Jahn Knight said he hopes “he’s got one more big game in him”.

“He’s a one of the best players I’ve seen in the Mininera league,” Knight said.

“He’s able to win the ball and when he does, he’s got that X-factor about him that’s rarely seen in this league.”