Godde polled 138 votes to win the honour ahead of rookie coach Isaac Muller on 106.

The Hopper midfielder said while Akermanis had a polarising personality, the Brownlow medallist didn't get the recognition he deserved after his four year tenure as coach at Bunton Park.

"A lot of people are quick to criticise Aker but I don't think he gets the credit he deserves," Godde said.

"It annoys me to be honest.

"Aker has been the single biggest influence on my development as a footballer.

"It's not just me, you ask Shaun Mannagh and Dom Brew and they will tell you the same thing."

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Godde revealed Akermanis was one of the first people to congratulate him on his breakout season.

"I got a text from him on the Monday morning saying 'good reward for all the hard work,' Godde said.

"I was a bit surprised because I haven't spoken to him or seen him for quite a while.

"But for me getting that text was my most satisfying moment of winning the best and fairest."

Godde said while he savoured the win, some of the gloss was taken off after Lavington stunned Wangaratta to win the flag.

"I wasn't too happy with Lavington winning the flag," he said.

"It's a bit too close to home.

"I can cope with Albury or Wangaratta winning.

"But with three former North Albury players (Mannagh, Nick and Kris Holman) in the Lavington side - it hit me pretty hard."

Godde played predominantly in the midfield and was ultra consistent after playing more in attack and defence in previous seasons.

"I was a bit nervous before the count because everyone kept telling me I was going to win it," he said.

"But I thought the smaller, in and under players don't get noticed as much."

Godde was looking forward to making further inroads up the ladder next season.

"Most people didn't think we would win a game so it was good to stick it up a few people," he said.