CLAREMONT Tigers midfielder Jye Bolton placed his name alongside some of his idols on the historic Sandover Medal walk in Subiaco today.
Bolton (24) won the 2016 Sandover Medal last night with a tally of 49 votes.
The former Collingwood rookie said it was an honour to join the group of names who have won the medal in the past.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“Amazing players that I look up to have won in the past and to be in the same category as them now is overwhelming,” he said.
“I just cannot believe that I have my name on that path, it is a great feeling.”
Bolton, who works at a property firm in Scarborough, said he never expected to win but it was a “relief” in the end.
“When I was like four or five (years old)…I think every kid thinks he is going to win the Brownlow but since I actually started playing in teams, I do not really look for that,” he said.
“It is good recognition but I always play to try and win premierships.”
Bolton said he was open to rejuvenating his AFL career if he got the opportunity.
“I have signed at Claremont for next year as well,” he said.
“If nothing came about, then I will definitely be staying at Claremont. I absolutely love the club and love all my teammates as well; they are just such a good bunch of blokes.”
His word of advice for AFL hopefuls was to stick with the sport.
“You see a lot of people who try come through state league ranks and if it is not working out for them like they are not getting games, they start to drop their head quick or go back to amateur and local leagues,” Bolton said.
“But a lot of people, if they stick with it, they end up seeing better results from themselves.”