TONIGHT, Melbourne is celebrating its night of nights, honouring the season that was.
Follow along as the Dees crown all award recipients for 2023 including the top honour of the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy...
Ron Barassi Jnr Memorial Trophy – Angus Brayshaw
Leadership Award
An important figure at the club for quite some time now, Angus Brayshaw receives his second consecutive Leadership Award.
Embodying what Demon Spirit means, Brayshaw’s never-give-up attitude inspired his side both on and off the field in 2023.
His ability to embrace various roles across the season is just one of many reasons as to why the Demon is so highly respected among the club.
James McDonald Trophy – Tom Sparrow
TRUE Player
The James McDonald Trophy is awarded to the player who lives the club’s values both on and off the field, and none has led the way quite like Tom Sparrow in 2023.
The recipient of the 2022 Coaches’ Award, Sparrow’s season has seen him not only embrace challenges across the midfield with poise, but as an emerging leader off the field, he’s helped develop the positive culture among the playing group.
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy – Judd McVee + Jacob van Rooyen
Best Young Player
In just their second season at the Dees, Judd McVee and Jacob van Rooyen’s rapid rise at AFL level was a sight to behold.
McVee’s clean skills and impressive composure added an exciting new layer to Melbourne’s defensive make-up and was acknowledged with a Rising Star nomination in Round 18.
Often tasked with restricting the opposition’s best talent and succeeding, it’s no surprise that he is the recipient of this year’s Harold Ball Memorial Trophy for Best Young Player alongside teammate van Rooyen.
Van Rooyen’s year was similar in that he injected a fresh energy into the Demons line-up, but at the other end of the ground.
The 20-year-old lit up Melbourne’s forward line, clunking marks and kicking goals. He booted a total of 28 majors across his 20 matches, his Round 12 performance particularly strong, earning him a Rising Star nomination.
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy – Trent Rivers
Coaches’ Award
Trent Rivers has been on a steady ascent since the beginning of his career, reaching a pinnacle in 2023, with an individual campaign that has been awarded by the coaches.
Having been in the defensive line-up for more than three years now, this year saw Rivers become a reliable resource down back, averaging a career-high 19.9 disposals, 4.8 marks and 6.6 intercept possessions.
The 22-year-old’s quick skills off half-back and powerful pressure in the contest were a constant highlight, with his on-field attributes helping him earn the Coaches’ Award.
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy – Ben Brown
Club Ambassador Award
For the third consecutive year, Ben Brown has been recognised for his meaningful impact on the club and wider community, receiving the Club Ambassador Award.
A much-loved character at the Dees across both AFL and AFLW programs, this year saw Brown reach new heights, raising more than $90,000 for Challenge, an organisation that supports families fighting childhood cancer.
Following his successful ‘Chop the Mop’ fundraiser, Brown was further acknowledged for his contributions nominated for the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy – Deakyn Smith
Best VFL Player
In his second full year at Melbourne, Deakyn Smith became a consistent contributor for the Casey Demons, earning himself the title of Best VFL Player.
The 21-year-old averaged 15 disposals and four marks across his 20 matches, with a particular standout display coming during the Wildcard Round, in which the crafty utility registered 26 disposals, six marks and four inside 50s.
Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy – Steven May
Fifth Place
Steven May finishes in the top five for the third time since arriving at the Dees in 2019, showing just how consistent the defender is.
An ever-reliable figure in the Demons’ line-up, May continued to star in Melbourne’s back six in season 2023.
Each week, the fiery full-back took on the challenge of the opposition’s best key forwards, leading the defensive charge. He averaged 17.2 disposals and 6.8 intercept possessions, while also impacting offensively, averaging 6.5 rebound 50s (the fifth most in the competition).
Ivor-Warne Smith Memorial Trophy – Angus Brayshaw
Fourth Place
Alongside his Leadership Award, Brayshaw finishes fourth for his on-field presence, the second consecutive top-five finish for the Demon.
Reliability has been a constant for Brayshaw in recent years, his coaches and teammates trusting that no matter where he is placed on the ground, he will step up to the challenge.
This year saw him embrace the title of midfielder, taking on a commanding and powerful role through the centre. He averaged 22 disposals with an efficiency of 73.4 percent (a career-high).
Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy – Jake Lever
Third Place
Jake Lever’s 2023 has earned him a top-three finish in the best and fairest count, the highest club honour for the defender since joining the Dees in 2018.
Lever has solidified his name as one of the best interceptors in the competition, sitting in the top five of the league for average intercept possessions (8.3).
The 27-year-old also averaged 14 disposals at an efficiency of 85.5 percent, and with his on-field leadership, was a crucial member of Melbourne’s defence.
Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy – Jack Viney
Runner-up
Jack Viney reached new heights in the red and blue during 2023 and in doing so has received a runner-up finish in the club champion award.
This year was arguably one of his best individual campaigns of his time in the AFL, coming away with an All-Australian squad selection and a career-high 24 Brownlow votes.
The vice-captain, celebrated for his unrelenting mindset and on-field leadership, averaged 25.6 disposals, five clearances and 5.3 inside 50s (a career-high statistic).
Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy – Christian Petracca
Club Champion
After a stellar campaign, Christian Petracca takes home the club’s top honour of the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy.
This is his second club best and fairest, adding the accolade to his long list of achievements for 2023 including a fourth All-Australian blazer and a career-high 26 Brownlow votes.
Tonight’s recognition comes following a season where he embraced new responsibilities mixing between the midfield and forward line. The dual role saw him average just shy of 28 disposals and finish with 28 majors.
The former No.2 draft pick matched it with the very best in the competition, tallying the third most disposals in the league (695 possessions – 350 of which were contested) while recording the most score involvements (210).
At the completion of each game, four members of the match committee rate the players performance from 0-10.
Leaderboard
602 - Christian Petracca
527 - Jack Viney
456 - Jake Lever
453 - Angus Brayshaw
451 - Steven May
450 - Alex Neal-Bullen
444 - Kysaiah Pickett
426 - Max Gawn
424 - Judd McVee
416 - Trent Rivers
