But whatever it was, it transformed Devanny from what Jack Dyer would have termed "a good, ordinary player" into a BDCA Cricketer of the Year winner.

As well as his win in Wednesday night's Cricketer of the Year - becoming the first Strathfieldsaye player to do so - Devanny has also won the Bendigo Advertiser-Bicknells Sports Player of the Year Award.

Devanny polled 34 votes under the 5-4-3-2-1 format to win the Addy-Bicknells Award, with his prize a Newbery cricket kit valued at $1000.

The 30-year-old constantly caught the attention of the umpires and the Addy sports department for his season in which he made 472 runs and took 29 wickets.

"It was one of those good years where you wish you knew what you were doing right so you could have duplicated it in the past because there were a few lean years," Devanny said.

"If you look at my stats over the past few years, I didn't perform like I think I should have, so it was nice to be able to put it all together."

There was extra pressure on Devanny to stand up and perform this season after the Jets were hit hard by key player departures during the off-season.

And that pressure was further enhanced when skipper Greg Lyon suffered a serious knee injury in round one, with Devanny taking over the captaincy.

Among the highlights for Devanny this season was his maiden first XI century.

Devanny's first ton was a long time coming, with his 128 not out against Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park in round six coming in his 121st career innings for the Jets.

"It took a long time to get that hundred, and again, I'm not quite sure what the difference was that day. Hopefully, there's a few more around the corner," Devanny said.

He added a second ton in round 12 against Golden Square, while his standout performances with the ball were against Eaglehawk in round 13 (6-61) and Strathdale-Maristians in round four (5-45).

Bicknells proprietor David Bicknell said Devanny deserved all the accolades he had received for his consistent season.

"He has had a wonderful year and is definitely a worthy winner of not only this award, but also the BDCA Cricketer of the Year," Bicknell said.

"We're happy to continue supporting cricket in town and help to reward quality players like Ben when they have fantastic seasons."

• Ben Devanny's award-winning season:

Rd 1: v Bendigo (44*, 3-17)

Addy votes: 5. BDCA: 3.

Rd 2: v Bendigo United (57, 2-40)

Addy votes: 3. BDCA: 2.

Rd 3: v White Hills (28, 3-47, 1-24)

Addy votes: 3. BDCA: 1. 

Rd 4: v Strathdale (11, 5-45)

Addy votes: 5. BDCA: 3. 

Rd 5: v Sandhurst (8, 0-54) 

Addy votes: 0. BDCA: 0.

Rd 6: v Kangaroo Flat (128*, 2-26)

Addy votes: 5. BDCA: 3. 

Rd 7: v Huntly-North (4, 0-32)

Addy votes: 0. BDCA: 0. 

Rd 8: v Golden Square (6, 1-40) 

Addy votes: 0. BDCA: 0.

Rd 9: v Eaglehawk (25, 2-16)

Addy votes: 2. BDCA: 2. 

Rd 10: v Bendigo Utd (1, 18, 0-29, 1-16) 

Addy votes: 0. BDCA: 0.

Rd 11: v Bendigo (35, 2-34)

Addy votes: 1. BDCA: 0. 

Rd 12: v Golden Square (100, 1-51)

Addy votes: 5. BDCA: 3.

Rd 13: v Eaglehawk (7, 6-61)

Addy votes: 5. BDCA: 3. 

ADVERTISER-BICKNELLS CRICKETER OF THE YEAR LEADERBOARD

BEN DEVANNY (S’saye) 34

BEN DeARAUGO (SM) 27

SAM JOHNSTON (HNE) 26

CAMERON TAYLOR (SM) 26

NICK CRAWFORD (BU) 25

ANDREW SMITH (Eh) 25

QUINTON BENTLEY (HNE) 24

TRAVIS KING (SM) 24

SCOTT JOHNSON (GS) 22

GARETH DAVIES (WH) 22

BEN GUNN (BU) 21

MATT PINNIGER (BU) 21

ADAM BURNS (KF) 21

RHYS IRWIN (WH) 21