Higgs, 20, can add the medal to the Did Simpson and premiership medals he gained in Wangaratta’s second consecutive grand final victory.

Higgs finished with 104 votes, 22 ahead of Jesse Smith (82) and Nick Trentfield (81).

Meanwhile, Andy Hill won his third Wangaratta Rovers best and fairest at the Hawks presentation evening on Friday night.

He claimed his second consecutive award ahead of favourite Jamie Allen, who finished runner-up in the Morris Medal.

Young defender Tyson Hartwig finished third.

“(Hill and Allen) have been our best and most consistent two players this year and it was always going to be a toss-up as to who won between them,” outgoing Rovers coach John McNamara said.

Also on Friday night, Yarrawonga midfielder Xavier Leslie collected his first best and fairest at the Pigeons’ presentation dinner.

Leslie, who tied for third with Wodonga’s Matt Shir in the Morris Medal count, claimed the award ahead of coach and last year’s winner Craig Ednie and perennial vote-getter Tim Hargreaves.

“He’s been our most consistent performer all year and was our top poller in the Morris Medal so it’s well deserved,” Ednie said.