By Tara Murray
Whittlesea midfielder Xavier Dimasi capped off a week to remember, finishing in a three-way tie in the Northern Football League men’s division 2 best and fairest award.
The best and fairest award was the last thing on Dimasi’s mind on Wednesday night, having just come off a premiership, which included a best on ground performance last Saturday.
But he was in the thick of the action during the count, with the award going down to the final votes.
Eight players were still in the mix to at least share the award heading into the final round, showing the closeness of the count.
Dimasi polled one vote to move to even with Riley Loton and Brent Macaffer.
Neither would poll in the final round, meaning the first three-way tie since the introduction of division 2 in 1981.
Dimasi said it was pretty special to win the award.
“It’s very humbling, especially with those two great players who had great years,” he said.
“I was pretty lucky, going into the last round I thought maybe if I could pinch one it would be nice … It’s very humbling to get a best and fairest. It’s unexpected.”
Dimasi said his season was probably his most consistent.
He said the best and fairest award was just the cherry on the top, having achieved what they had wanted to this season earlier in the week.
“The main medal was won on Saturday afternoon with the boys, that’s the one I wanted to get,” he said.
“I would have liked to have hit the scoreboard a bit more. Stinger [Blair Harvey] is probably going to kill me as I missed too many set shots.
“I go out there and Stinger gives me a role each week and I try and do the best I can. To be noticed by the umpires and the people on the outside is nice as well, as long as I’m doing my part for the team the boys have my back and they’re happy with my performance, that’s all that matters.”
Dimasi knows it’s only going to get tougher next year, with the Eagles headed back to division 1, having been relegated 12 months ago.
He won the club’s best and fairest award last season in division 1, so he knows what to expect. He said he would continue to take on a leadership role in the young playing group.
“You can always improve,” he said.
“I really pride myself on a leadership role. Especially with the young group that we’ve got, I’ll try and help them any way I can.”
Former Carlton and Brisbane Lions player Tom Bell claimed the Rosbrook Medal for the best player in division 1.
