MONDAY night was awards night for the VFL and VFLW competitions, with Melbourne ruck Lauren Pearce receiving the top honour.
Pearce, who lined up for the Darebin Falcons this season, was awarded the Lambert-Pearce Medal as the best VFLW player for 2019.
The 26-year-old was fresh off an outstanding AFLW campaign where she came runner-up in the Demons’ best and fairest award, and she continued that form into the winter.
Pearce polled 18 votes to claim the VFLW’s biggest prize, finishing two votes clear of Richmond’s Monique Conti.
Casey Demons co-captain Bianca Jakobsson was also among the league leaders, receiving 10 votes for the season to poll fifth in the award.
Jakobsson's performances in 2019 saw her recognised in the VFLW Team of the Year, earning a position on the wing, while Pearce secured a spot in the ruck.
Melbourne’s newest recruit Libby Birch was the third Demon to make the prestigious side, with the 21-year-old being named at half-back after her first season with Casey.
Birch will be an exciting addition to the red and blue in 2020, crossing over from the Western Bulldogs during the AFLW Trade Period.
In the VFL, Casey was well represented in the men’s Team of the Year, with midfielder James Munro and captain Mitch White both earning a selection.
White, who played four AFL games for Melbourne between 2015 and 2017, took on the captaincy at Casey this season and excelled in the role.
The midfielder turned forward was a target inside 50 for the Demons all season and thoroughly deserved his position in the pocket.
Munro was named in the centre of the all VFL side on the back of another consistent season in the red and blue.
At just 24 years of age, Munro ticked over 100 senior games in 2019, as he continues to be a stalwart for Casey with his fierce attack on the footy and infectious energy around the club.
In other good news for the club, Casey's VFL/VFLW Football Operations Manager Garry O'Sullivan was awarded Life Membership of the league for his long-term service.
Although both Casey sides narrowly missed out on September action, it was great to see some strong individual efforts recognised at the awards ceremony.