TALLANGATTA ruckman Scott Spencer became the first Hopper in two decades to claim the Barton Medal on Monday night.
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Spencer polled in 12 of the 16 matches he played to top the count with 30 votes.
He notched a comfortable victory over classy Thurgoona midfielder Jayden Kotzur and Rutherglen ball magnet Damien Wilson who tied for second with 23 votes.
Beechworth's Tom Cartledge finished third a further vote behind.
Spencer joins premiership coach Darren Mathey (2000) and triple Barton medallist Brett Harrison (1994-96) as the most recent Hoppers to win the prestigious award.
The 200cm giant only switched to playing Australian Rules in 2016 after previously playing soccer.
Spencer spent two seasons with Cobram before joining Tallangatta last year.
"I'm very surprised to win," Spencer said.
"I thought Rick Whitehead and Damien Wilson were the players to beat.
"I thought I had an inconsistent season but a good patch through the middle of the year.
"I went overseas for two weeks and it took me a bit to regain my touch.
"I'm only 27 and feel I'm still improving because I'm still learning the game and only in my fourth season of Aussie Rules."
Last year's winner, Barnawartha's Cameron McNeill, finished fourth on 21 votes and was aiming for an unprecedented fifth medal.
The hard-working midfielder previously topped the count in 2008, 2013 and 2014.
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Chiltern co-coach Ricky Whitehead was next best with 18 votes. Whitehead was among the favourites heading into the count after booting 125 goals for the season.
Only Barnawartha duo Peter Woodford (141 in 1984) and Peter Cook (125 in 2011) have kicked 125 goals or more during the home and away season since 1970.
Tallangatta almost claimed a clean sweep of the league's big night after David Avery won the reserves and Nick Paton took out the fourths award.
Avery polled 20 votes to emerge as a clear winner over Yackandandah's James Davies on 15. Paton was a runaway winner of the fourths after polling 44 votes.
Barnawartha's Jackson Spiers polled 22 votes to claim the thirds award by one over Kiewa-Sandy Creek's Ryan Bartel in the closest count on the night.