Sinclair crowned with first Butcher Medal

Demons defender Michael Sinclair capped off a stellar 2016 on Friday night claiming the prestigious Butcher Medal ahead of fellow hot favourites Clinton Jones and Aiden Tropiano.

Sinclair, 22, played all twenty games to average 21 disposals a games as one of the side’s consistent performers.

His 2016 also saw him earn a berth in the WAFL Team of the Year to go with his club best and fairest accolade.

Sinclair trailed Jones by just seven votes heading into the final five rounds of the count. However Sinclair’s strong polling in the final three rounds saw him finish on 111 votes, three ahead of Jones on 108.

Sinclair and Jones finished ahead of Tropiano who finished in third place with 75 votes, and young defender Jared Bell who finished with 65 votes before his season abruptly ended from a cruel knee injury against Claremont in round 15.

Cody Leggett finished fifth with 61 votes, while midfielder Julian Jacobs (59 votes), Lennon Marlin (46 votes) Liam McKenna and Brent Latch (both 39 votes) and Brent Edmonds (37 votes) rounded out the top ten.

Edmonds also took out the Redlegs 1% award for most courageous player in the league side.

Spencer White was awarded the Ron Tucker medal for the leading goal kicker this season with 17 majors.

Fraser Millar claimed the Greg Brehaut medal for the reserves best and fairest with 73 votes ahead of Kurtis Chester (63 votes) and Rowan Brookes (61 votes).

Corey Byrne took home the 1% award for the reserves side, with Dan Horan winning the Development Coaches Award after another impressive season.

The Colts best and fairest award was won by Chris Leonard who received the Jack Ensor medal, while Cody Kickett finished runner-up. Jared Wynne won the Spirit of the Colts award as the side’s most courageous player.

Eighteen year old Zac Fisher capped off a fantastic first season of senior football by winning the Doug Buckingham Memorial Trophy as the club best emerging player.

Callum Walley won the best clubman award for his efforts on and off the field for the club by being awarded the Vince Pendal Award.

Other special awards on the night included Demons stalwart Wim Rosbender being recognised as the 2016 Club Legend, as well as Doug Ransted honoured as the Jack O’Dea Memorial Trophy winner.