Aidan Tropiano was honoured to win the Sandover Medal and celebrated his 23rd birthday on the same day.
Camera IconAidan Tropiano was honoured to win the Sandover Medal and celebrated his 23rd birthday on the same day. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie         www.communitypix.com.au d444093

Tropiano in thriller

Francis CurroComment News

The Belmont resident celebrated his Sandover Medal win in style, winning the count by one vote ahead of South Fremantle's Ashton Hams.

Aidan's parents, Tony and Anita, watched the count online, with Aidan expecting to poll well after an outstanding season that saw him win the Butcher Medal as Perth's best and fairest.

When they found out he had won, Tony and Anita went to bed, got two hours sleep and then drove more than 500km from Mullewa to Perth.

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"I didn't even have a conversation until they were in the car," Tropiano said of his parents coming down.

"They just said they are in the car and will meet us in the morning and I am very thankful for it."

The count was one of the most thrilling Sandover counts in recent history.

Tropiano lead for most of the night, but was challenged from Hams and Subiaco's Sam Menegola.

Hams led with just one round to go, with Tropiano taking the win by polling four votes on the second-last vote read out on the night.

The 23-year-old's win at the Sandover came despite Perth winning just two games and coming last on the WAFL ladder.

Not only was the Sandover Medal a special night for Aidan, it also was the day he celebrated his 23rd birthday.

He said people couldn't understand how special it was to wear it.

"It was a massive honour " you don't understand how much it means to a person," he said.

"It is quite small, but very prestigious.

"To be honest, I don't want to take it off."