The St Andrew’s off-spinner was of 12 south-west players named in the Western Waves Team of the Year.

He took 34 wickets for the season at an average of 10.

Heeps said he was proud to be selected after poor health saw him struggle to take the field in recent seasons.

"It was bloody tough," he said.

"I definitely doubted I would ever get back to bowling somewhere near my best consistently, so I do get some satisfaction out of this.

"It is a good reward for the season, one out of the box after a few leaner seasons.

“And it is a testament to St Andrew's who taught me how to play cricket all the way through juniors."

The 33-year-old, who was selected first time, opened up further on his health battles.

Heeps said he was still not at full health, but is managing it better to perform at the top level.

"I’ve probably been battling health issues for about three to four years,” he said.

“I reckon I have or had chronic fatigue to be honest, but was never diagnosed.

“It has definitely still been a battle on occasions. If not feeling great I just gritted the teeth and got out there and had a go regardless.

“I just wanted to get back to making a valuable contribution.”

The Baker brothers – Simon (Bookaar) and Clinton (Mortlake) – are a special edition to the team. It’s the first time brothers have appeared together.

Simon Harkness of Heytesbury Rebels and St Andrew’s Brendan Huf were selected as the opening batsmen.

Simon Close (Pigeon Ponds), Jarred Combe (Homers), and the Baker brothers rounded out the batting line up.

Merrivale’s Josh Stapleton is the team’s all-rounder with David Murphy (Pomborneit), Jack Sunderland (West Warrnambool), Dan Schuppan (Allansford), Jordan Graham (Port Fairy) and Heeps making up the bowling attack.