Related: re-live BFNL grand final day
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Two weeks ago, Eaglehawk ruckman Jonty Neaves sat in the Bendigo Hospital with his injured elbow in plaster and his premiership dream in tatters.
Neaves had dislocated his left elbow late in the second semi-final win against Strathfieldsaye and the medical advice was not what he wanted to hear.
"I dislocated the elbow and had some avulsion fractures where the ligaments were pulling,'' Neaves said.
"The doctors at the hospital put the elbow in a cast and told me to come back in two weeks.
"I went home and cut the cast off and started icing my elbow.
"I saw the specialist the next morning and he told me not to run for six weeks.
"I then saw a physio and he told me that I'd be right."
Neaves had to get through training on Thursday night to be cleared to play in the grand final and he passed with flying colours.
His left elbow was heavily strapped on Saturday and, despite playing with pain, he produced a brilliant performance in the ruck.
The Hawks dominated the centre clearances 22-11 and Neaves was superb around the ground.
The big man was a worthy winner of the Nalder Medal for best man on the ground.
"My elbow hurt, particularly when I got a few friendly taps from the opposition,’’ he said.
"I just had to put that out of my mind and keep going."
Born in Queensland and raised in Coffs Harbour, Neaves moved to Bendigo a couple of years ago to try his luck with the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup.
"Dad (Wayne) got me into footy. He played more than 350 games of senior footy in Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory,'' Neaves said.
"He's the reason I play footy and he's the reason I can play footy.
"I had a year with the Pioneers which was good and then to play with Eaglehawk is just fantastic."
Last summer Neaves did pre-season training with VFL side Coburg, but just missed out on making the final list.
Coburg's loss was Eaglehawk's gain.
"Coburg was a great experience,'' he said.
"It gave me a great base for this year and really got me thinking about my footy.
"I just missed the list there, but I'll have another crack next year.
"I want to play the best footy I can."
After experiencing the pain of grand final defeat last year, Neaves felt pure elation when the final siren sounded on Saturday.
"There's no words to describe it,'' he said.
"It's been such a long slog. To lose last year was heartbreaking and then to have the elbow problem.
"I can't put it into words."