SWAN Districts co-captain Tony Notte won his second Swan Medal in five years in an “unexpected” run to the finish line in Fridaynight’s medal count at Mandoon Estate.
The defender notched 97 votes ahead of fellow defender Tobe Watson (84) and last year’s winner Corey Gault (81).
Notte (28), who previously won the best and fairest in 2013, played 18 games this season, averaged 13.8 disposals a game and kicked 10 goals.
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READ NOWHe was part of the WA team that broke a 24-year drought in winning the interstate carnival against South Australia in May.
He has played 218 games since making his WAFL debut in 2008 while playing two games for the West Coast Eagles after getting drafted at pick 20 in the 2007 AFL national draft.
The Herne Hill resident said he did not go to the Caversham winery with the medal in his sights.
“Obviously, the venue change from being at the club was really good for the girls to get really dressed up,” he said.
“I think everyone enjoyed it as well and I think Mandoon is obviously pretty high class.
“I thought someone else would have…like from last year ‘Gaulty’ (Corey Gault) and a couple of other boys would be really close to take it out.
“I was just going into the night and having a really good time.
“Obviously, it is a big honour to take them out both times.”
With Swans finishing eighth on the WAFL ladder despite a strong start to the season and being two wins away from a finals berth, Notte said if the young reserves players continued their strong form in the seniors and more talent was brought into the side, 2019 could hold more success.
“I think the start of the year when we had our strongest side on the park was really exciting,” he said.
“It showed what the future does hold especially with a lot of the young kids in our group.
“The way we finished our year, even though we didn’t win the games that we would’ve liked, we still competed pretty strongly against some pretty strong opposition.”
He described WA’s interstate win as a “massive honour” and the biggest highlight of this year.
He thanked the fans, family and friends who came out to watch the players each week.
Meanwhile, the reserves best and fairest was awarded to wingman Freddie Clutterbuck and the colts award to midfielder Mitchell Bain.
The squad will return for the pre-season which is expected to start in about five weeks.