Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has capped off yet another sublime season by taking home his third Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy after being deemed the Demons' best and fairest player in 2021.
The club-based honour is the latest feather in the cap of the 24-year-old and will now sit within his seasonal swag of gongs that included his second All-Australian blazer, the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award and the dynamo's premiership medallion.
Given the fact that many capable hands saw the oldest football club in the land snap their lengthy premiership drought, the Mooroopna-born bull faced a plethora of worthy opponents during Friday night's count.
Still, Oliver's final tally of 670 votes saw him finish with 26 more than his nearest competitor - 2021 Norm Smith Medallist, Christian Petracca.
Fellow locker room leaders in Max Gawn, Christian Salem and Jake Lever filled each of the remaining positions within the count's top five.
With Oliver earning the title as the club's leading player for the third time in just six-seasons, there remains a bounty of time ahead of the redheaded Redleg to break Melbourne's record as the most internally decorated player.
Oliver will now enter the 2022 season alongside club champions Harold 'Hassa' Mann, Laurie Fowler and Nathan Jones with a trifecta of wins, yet, the former top-10 draft pick remains one back from the lead set by pioneering pair Allan La Fontaine and Jim Stynes with four nods apiece.
Speaking after Oliver became the first Demon to claim best and fairest honours in a premiership year since Ron Barassi in 1964, head coach Simon Goodwin lauded the midfielder's class.
“To be awarded the best and fairest in a premiership-winning side is an amazing honour, and Clayton should be very proud,” he said.
“He has worked incredibly hard on his game over the past few seasons, so it’s no coincidence that he is now getting reward for his efforts. His consistency and influence on the field is second-to-none.
“Clayton continues to excite us as a coaching group, and we look forward to seeing him develop further as a player and leader of our club in the years to come.”
On a night where Oliver continued his creep towards rare air, the Melbourne Football Club also paid homage to the boundlessly inspirational Neale Daniher by granting the 60-year-old entry to their Hall of Fame.
While a flag of his own eluded Daniher during his 10-year tenure at the helm of the club, Melbourne President Kate Roffey paid her praises to the club's 50th inductee in 163-years.
“The Board is absolutely delighted to be welcoming Neale into the Melbourne Football Club Hall of Fame,” Roffey said.
“Neale had a significant impact across his 167 games as senior coach throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, and he continues to inspire all those within our club, from our players, coaches and staff to our members and supporters.
“He truly epitomises the Demon spirit. Neale’s leadership, resilience and positive attitude, particularly in the eight years since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, is remarkable. He has not taken a backwards step in his fight against ‘The Beast’ and is an inspiration to many in the wider community.
“Our club is a better place because of Neale Daniher, and we are incredibly lucky to call him a proud Melbourne person.
“We congratulate and thank Neale, along with his wife Jan and their children Lauren, Luke, Bec and Ben, for all that have given to our club.”
Daniher's elevation saw him become the first player, official or coach bestowed the honour since 2017.
Clayton Oliver – 670 votes
Christian Petracca – 644 votes
Max Gawn – 542 votes
Christian Salem – 522 votes
Jake Lever – 498 votes
Ed Langdon – 487 votes
Steven May – 431 votes
Alex Neal-Bullen – 421 votes
Tom McDonald – 408 votes
Kysaiah Pickett – 408 votes
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy – Best VFL Player: Toby Bedford
James McDonald Trophy – TRUE player: Steven May
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy – Club Ambassador Award: Neville Jetta & Ben Brown
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy – Best Young Player: Kysaiah Pickett
Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy – Leadership Award: Max Gawn
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy – Coaches Award: Alex Neal-Bullen