NORTH Bendigo's Tyson Findlay was a runaway winner in the race for the Sam Cheatley Medal as the Heathcote District Football League's best and fairest for the 2014 season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Bulldogs' onballer capped his first season at the club by racking up 26 votes, which included six best afield performances, across 11 matches.
His consistency earned votes in all last six rounds of the home and away series.
Runner-up for the medal was Mount Pleasant key forward Kain Robins on 19 votes.
Last season Findlay and Robins were team-mates at Eaglehawk.
The Cheatley medal capped Sunday's awards function at Bendigo Club in Strathdale for the Heathcote District football and netball competitions.
Findlay's victory drew loud applause from his clubmates.
It was the third Cheatley medal victory by a North Bendigo player in four years.
Bulldogs' ruckman Josh Gitsham won the league title in 2011 and '12 after crossing to the club from Eaglehawk.
In his acceptance speech, Findlay thanked coaches Rob Bennett and Neville Massina and playing assistant coach Darcy Richards.
"Darcy played a big part in getting me to cross from Eaglehawk.
"The coaches have given me a lot of confidence.
"I also wear Bomber's (Bennett) old number five, so there's a lot to live up to.''
Findlay's partner Jordan Arthur has starred for North Bendigo on the netball court and won the league's A-reserve best and fairest.
Both are rapt with individual honours, but are now intent on adding a premiership medal to their collection in this Saturday's play at Huntly.
,