Lismore-Derrinallum premiership star Michael Lockyer had another outstanding season recognised at Lake Bolac on Monday evening, winning his second consecutive Lewis Medal as the league’s best and fairest.
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Lockyer polled 26 votes, two clear of Penshurst’s Justin Eales and Wickliffe-Lake Bolac’s Brad Keilar.
The dominant Demon trailed Eales and Keilar by one vote leading into the final round but picked up three votes in round 17 while the Bomber and Magpies polled none to win back-to-back awards. Eales also finished second to Lockyer in 2017.
Lockyer was not in attendance, with Demons president Graeme Turner accepting the award on his behalf.
Lockyer has had another standout season, booting 67 goals to feature in the league’s top three goalkickers as well.
Lockyer’s Demons were knocked out by Tatyoon in the first week of finals, ending their chance of back-to-back premierships.
2018 has also been a big year for Magpies ruckman Brad Keilar, playing his 350th game and his side reaching the grand final without a loss.
He said while it is nice to finish so high in the count, there is one greater prize on his mind, the grand final against Tatyoon this weekend.
“There is still one more big one to come,” he said.
“As a club we haven’t spoken about it too much but the two losses from the last two years burn a bit.”
Keilar has been part of a Magpies team that has not lost yet this season. He said he thought he would have polled less due to the even efforts from his teammates.
“I was pretty happy with that considering we had about four guys from our team in the top 10 or 15,” he said.
“I thought we would take too many votes off one another.”
Keilar’s Magpies hosted the night at Lake Bolac Memorial Hall.
“Thanks to everyone at the club for a great night and doing a great job,” he said.
In other awards presented on the night, Tatyoon’s Jack Antonio was awarded the Ruth Brain Memorial Medal as the best senior player under-21 and Wickliffe-Lake Bolac’s Will Slattery won the senior goalkicking with 75 goals.