Albury co-coach Anthony Miles says the improvement in the younger players far outweighs his best and fairest win.
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The former AFL on-baller polled 158 votes from youngster Riley Bice (142) and midfielder Fletcher Carroll (92).
Interestingly, Carroll finished third in the league's Morris Medal with 15 votes, two behind Wangaratta's winner Callum Moore, while Miles and Bice polled five votes apiece.
"It's been a real breakout year for Riley, he set himself up by having a really big pre-season and we encouraged him to play to his strengths and if he made a mistake to get after it again," Miles revealed.
"Full credit to Riley, he probably doesn't get the plaudits externally, but internally what he does for our group, his running patterns, his unrewarded running at times, he was massive for us."
Carroll, 23, had spent time with VFL clubs Williamstown and Coburg, but even the Tigers were surprised at his rise.
"We knew we were getting a good player, but he exceeded our expectations," Miles suggested.
"I think that's been one of the highlights of my year is seeing the development of those young guys as well."
Miles has now won three club best and fairests after claiming Richmond's reserves in 2017-2018, while he also captured the VFL's J.J. Liston Trophy in 2018.
"If I'm being honest, I find best and fairests as a coach, you're promoting team first and playing your role every week and at the end of the year you're celebrating individual awards, so for me it's a bit of a funny one," he pondered.
Miles played 88 games at GWS, Richmond and Gold Coast and says there's been a massive change in the O and M since leaving in 2010.
"It was a lot more contested then, really bigger bodies, now it's similar to the VFL and AFL, the ball movement is a lot slicker," he offered.
Lachie Taylor-Nugent (91) snared the reserves from Kane Flack (56) and Will Blomeley (43), while Isaac McGrath (104) grabbed the under 18s from Max Diffey (68) and Cam O'Brien (53).
IN OTHER NEWS:
Albury finished the COVID 13-game season undefeated in the three grades.
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