Tara Murray
Burnside Heights’ captain Jordan Hughes didn’t think he’d done enough to come away with the Essendon District Football League division 2 best and fairest.
Already a winner of the medal, Hughes was in front heading into the final round from Joshua Trembearth.
Hughes didn’t play the final round, so it was a nervous watch.
He managed to do enough to hold on, winning on 20 votes, one clear of Trembearth.
“I knew I had a reasonably good first half but I was found a bit wanting in the second half of the season,” Hughes said. “Having not played the last game, I didn’t think it was going to help me.
“It’s just an honour to be here around it all with five other players from my league, just goes to show the depth and quality that we have. It’s amazing.”
The Bears captain, who was also named captain of the division 2 team of the year, thought teammate Lachie Evans would take home the medal.
Evans finished in equal third on 16 votes with Sunbury Kangaroos captain Mitch Streiff.
“I had him pencilled in to win, probably $1.50,” Hughes said of his ruck.
“He makes my life a lot easier in the ruck-midfield combo. I can’t do what I do without him helping me out, he’s been awesome this year.”
Hughes played a slightly different role this season than what he did last year. With a couple of high quality forwards added to the team, he could spend more time in the midfield.
“Last year we didn’t have that quality and height to play that position,” he said. “Causing me to spend a bit of time down there as well.
“Definitely freed me up a bit. Still like to get down there and kick a goal, everyone loves that.
“It was good, it allowed me to spend a bit more time on the ball.”
Last time Hughes shared the award with Cooper Keogh, who has now gone on to play in the Victorian Football League.
Hughes said it was a little bit different winning it by himself.
The win makes Hughes the first player to win two division 2 best and fairest medals.
Not bad for someone who didn’t play any football for seven years as he focused on playing basketball in the Big V.
“Basketball was always my thing,” Hughes said. “I played footy very sporadically over the years.
“I was always a basketballer, I never thought I would win a club best and fairest, to be honest, let alone a league one.
“Pleasantly surprised.”
Hughes said there was a lot of motivation in the group after a straight sets finals exit.
“Especially amongst the older guys,” he said. “Try and spread that knowledge that it’s not an easy job to get to where we got to.
“You have to hold some of that, keep some of that fire and juice going for the following year. To fall short when we did, injuries aside, it burns.
“Hopefully we can go two steps better.”
