CRAIG Mabon has become the first Lavington player to win the Leo Burke Award since club legend Ralph Aalbers in 1998.
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It would be good to get a win on the weekend, that would be more important
- Craig Mabon
The midfielder polled 18 votes to edge out Wodonga’s Bryce Garvey and teammate Guy Pendergast by three.
Wangaratta’s James McClounan was next with 11.
Mabon polled in eight of his 11 games, while he also played seven senior matches.
Mabon said he was honoured to win the reserves best and fairest, but said he was focused on helping Lavington beat Wodonga in Sunday’s grand final.
“It was a bit of a surprise, but it’s always good to get a bit of individual recognition,” Mabon, 22, said.
“It would be good to get a win on the weekend, that would be more important.
“It was a bit of a relief on the weekend when the siren went and we finally got through a prelim.”
Mabon’s win was even sweeter, considering he broke his leg and ankle last year.
Wodonga’s Garvey polled in seven of his 14 games in the reserves.
Aalbers, who was inducted into the O and M Hall of Fame in 2008, was the first Lavington player to win the Morris Medal in 1985, when he pipped Yarrawonga’s Jeff Long by just one vote.
He finished his O and M career in the reserves, winning the Leo Burke Award in 1998.
In the under-18s, Wangaratta’s recent dominance of the Leo Dean Award continued.
Hugh Amery became the first Magpie to win back-to-back thirds best and fairest awards after polling 29 votes to beat North Albury’s Ben Lloyd by nine.
Corowa-Rutherglen’s Brad Goyne was third with 17 votes, while Yarrawonga’s Reid Clarke and Lavington’s Ryan Lavery both polled 16 votes.
Midfielder Amery polled in 12 games, polling a maximum three votes in eight matches.
Amery won last year’s medal, becoming the third Magpie to win the award behind Louis Vescio (2013) and Max Ketchup (1974).
“I don’t think anyone thought I was going to win, it’s good to go back to back,” he said.
“I thought I played better last year, if I was going to judge year by year.”
While he’s happy to win, Amery’s focus is on beating Wodonga in Sunday’s thirds grand final.
“Wodonga’s a good side,” he said.
“We’ve had a couple of good battles with them throughout the year.
“We don’t want to go in thinking we are going to lose, but it’s going to be tough.”
The Magpies booked their spot in the grand final after beating Albury by 21 points in the preliminary final.
The Magpies claimed the minor premiership, but then lost the second semi-final to the Dogs.
