Four Sydney Swans won a place in the 2017 NEAFL Team of the Year following outstanding seasons under development coach Rhyce Shaw.
Jordan Dawson, Jeremy Laidler, Brandon Jack and Sam Murray all earned positions in the NEAFL's equivalent to the All Australian, announced during the league's awards dinner at the Sofitel Brisbane Central on Sunday night.
The quarter enjoyed standout seasons at the lower level and have been a big part of the reason the NEAFL Swans claimed this year's minor premiership, for second consecutive season.
Dawson has led the way.
The 20-year-old has been one of the Shaw's most consistent and damaging, the South Australian averaging 29 disposals per game, including nine performances with 25+ disposals, and two with 40+ disposals, as he's fought hard for more senior football after his Round 3 debut.
Laidler, who's featured at the top level three times this season, has found the going tough to break into what is the best defence in the AFL.
But his level of professionalism has shined having maintained his strong form throughout his time in the reserves, averaging 23 touches, seven marks and four rebound 50s.
Jack has been a consistent performer in his on-ball role (averaging 28 disposals per game) while his leadership, having taken on the captaincy duties this season, is invaluable.
A spot on the interchange bench is just reward for Murray's impressive season.
Recruited from Wodonga Raiders at the end of 2015, Murray was moved to defence earlier in the season with great results. He put his speed and skills to great use to average 23 disposals, six marks and three rebounds.
Meanwhile, Dawson finished third in the NEAFL’s 2017 Most Valuable Player Award.
The winner, Southport midfielder Jordan Keras, polled nine votes in the final round to be awarded the league’s highest individual honour ahead of joint runners-up Cameron Ilett (NT Thunder) and Zac O’Brien (Sydney University) after a thrilling count.
Dawson was among a group of five fancies – including Keras, Ilett, O’Brien and Mitch Hallahan (Gold Coast) – all split by only 10 votes going into the final round but was named as a travelling emergency for the AFL side’s clash in Adelaide which ruled him out of Saturday's clash with Gold Coast and the race for the MVP Award.
Following last week's final round of the home and away season, the finals fixture has been set with the NEAFL Swans to play the winner of this Saturday's elimination final between Gold Coast and NT Thunder on September 2.
2017 NEAFL MVP Final Standings - Top 10
78 Jordan Keras (Southport)
73 Cameron Ilett (NT Thunder)
73 Zac O’Brien (Sydney Uni)
72 Jordan Dawson (Sydney)
63 Mitch Hallahan (Gold Coast)
61 Tom Young (Sydney Uni)
50 Matthew Payne (Aspley)
43 Darcy Macpherson (Gold Coast)
43 Lewis Stevenson (Sydney Uni)
41 Jordan Harper (Canberra)
2017 NEAFL Team of the Year
B: Ryan Hebron (Sydney University) Adrian Williams (Redland) Darcy Baron-Hay (Sydney University)
HB: Jeremy Laidler (Sydney) Gavin Grose (Aspley) Ryan Davis (Gold Coast)
W: Jordan Harper (Canberra) Cameron Ilett (NT Thunder) Brandon Jack (Sydney)
HF: Jordan Dawson (Sydney) Jono Freeman (Brisbane) Clay Cameron (Redland)
FP: Darcy Macpherson (Gold Coast) Darren Ewing (NT Thunder) Jackson Paine (Redland)
Foll: Dawson Simpson (GIANTS) Jordan Keras (Southport) Mitch Hallahan (Gold Coast)
Inter: Oscar McInerney (Brisbane) Zac O’Brien (Brisbane) Matt Payne (Aspley) Sam Murray (Sydney) Adam Sambono (NT Thunder)
Coach: Tom Morrison (Sydney University)
Captain: Gavin Grose (Aspley)
