MELBOURNE celebrated its 2022 campaign at Centrepiece on Friday night, crowning its Best and Fairest player of the season.
There were 11 trophies handed out, with nine Demons called to the stage throughout the evening.
Take a look at all the winners from the event below.
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy – Luke Dunstan
Best VFL Player
In his first year in the red and blue, Luke Dunstan had an immediate impact.
The former Saint was dominant at VFL level to come second in the Casey Demons’ Best and Fairest award, while earning selection for five AFL matches.
Dunstan was a crucial component to Casey’s midfield, helping his side win the VFL premiership for 2022.
James McDonald Trophy – Jack Viney
TRUE Player
Melbourne’s vice-captain leads by example on and off the field, and those traits have earned him the TRUE Player award.
Jack Viney was deemed to display the club’s values better than anyone else in 2022, with his form spiking as a result.
Throughout his 10-year playing career to date, the 28-year-old has been a loyal Melbourne person, putting his body on the line for the team week in, week out.
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy – Ben Brown
Club Ambassador Award
After sharing this trophy with Neville Jetta last year, Ben Brown has taken out the club ambassador award for a second time.
Since joining the Demons at the end of 2020, Brown has impressed his teammates, coaches and staff with his genuine care and passion for the community.
The key forward has assisted Melbourne’s AFLW program in a coaching capacity and dedicates his time far beyond the hours expected of a footballer.
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy – Jake Bowey
Best Young Player
After winning a premiership in just his seventh game, Jake Bowey’s second season at the top level had a lot to live up to.
The 20-year-old played 17 matches for the Dees, contributing to the 10-game winning streak at the start of the season and proving to be one of the club’s brightest young talents.
Bowey received a Rising Star nomination for his career-high 34 disposal outing in Round 2 and demonstrated his class off half-back all year.
Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy – Angus Brayshaw
Leadership Award
In a season where Angus Brayshaw showed his loyalty to Melbourne by signing a six-year contract extension, he has been recognised with the leadership award.
At 26 years of age, Brayshaw has played every game across the past two campaigns, maturing into a highly respected figure among the playing group.
His off-field leadership has grown significantly, while his on-field contributions shone equally as bright, starting the year at half-back before finishing the season as a ball-winning midfielder.
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy – Tom Sparrow
Coaches Award
Tom Sparrow’s fourth year at AFL level was his best yet, locking himself in the midfield to play 23 matches for the Demons.
The 22-year-old offers plenty of versatility for his side with an ability to win the ball in the centre or kick a goal up forward, but it’s his selflessness that may be most valuable.
Sparrow works hard defensively and is willing to play any role for the team: qualities that have earned him the coaches award this season.
Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy – Angus Brayshaw
Fifth Place
Brayshaw has been called to the stage for a second time, having placed fifth in the club’s Best and Fairest award.
The premiership wingman had to adapt on the fly in 2022, helping sure up the Demons’ defence, before contributing in the centre when called upon.
For the opening 19 rounds, Brayshaw averaged a league-high eight marks per game, before having the fourth most disposals in the competition across the last four matches of the home and away season.
Ivor-Warne Smith Memorial Trophy – Jack Viney
Fourth Place
Another dual-award winner, Viney has finished fourth in the count after playing 22 matches this season – the highest return in his AFL career.
The hard-at-it midfielder averaged 26 disposals per game, equalling his effort from 2016 which was the year he took ‘Bluey’ home.
Statistically, this season was Viney’s most rounded and consistent to date, averaging 13 contested possessions, six tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s each week.
Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy – Steven May
Third Place
After coming runner-up for this award in 2020, Steven May has finished third on the back of a dominant 2022 season.
The key defender also earned a second consecutive All-Australian blazer this year, highlighting his presence in the backline of the team that conceded less points than any other in the league.
Complementing his ability to negate the opposition’s best forward was his offensive prowess, with May recording a career-high 19 disposals and eight rebound 50s per game.
Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy – Christian Petracca
Runner-up
For a second year in a row, Christian Petracca has finished second in Melbourne’s Best and Fairest count.
The superstar midfielder, who won the award in 2020, averaged 28 disposals per outing, but it was his work forward of centre which helped him earn a third consecutive All-Australian selection.
Petracca registered league-high numbers for goal assists, inside 50s and retained kicks inside 50, helping the Demons hit the scoreboard throughout 2022.
Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy – Clayton Oliver
Club Champion
For the fourth time in his seven-year career, Clayton Oliver has won the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy.
Oliver’s efforts in 2022 have seen him create history at the Melbourne Football Club, joining just two other Demons to win the trophy four times: Allan La Fontaine (between 1935 and 1942) and Jim Stynes (between 1991 and 1997).
The 25-year-old, who is just getting started in his already decorated career, also has a premiership medal, two AFLCA awards and three All-Australian selections to his name.
While he has been a dominant midfielder for some time now, his 2022 season may have been his best yet, averaging league-high numbers for disposals, clearances and contested possessions.
At the completion of each game, four members of the match committee rate the players performance from 0-10.
Leaderboard
608 – Clayton Oliver
553 – Christian Petracca
473 – Steven May
471 – Jack Viney
446 – Angus Brayshaw
430 – Max Gawn
395 – Bayley Fritsch
391 – Kysaiah Pickett
384 – Alex Neal-Bullen
367 – Ed Langdon
360 – Tom Sparrow
358 – James Jordon
349 – Charlie Spargo
332 – Luke Jackson
322 – Harry Petty
313 – James Harmes
237 – Jayden Hunt
236 – Ben Brown
236 – Jake Lever
220 – Jake Bowey