And if the fervour surrounding its most recent recipient is anything to go by, another Pie could be on the fast track to the big time.
Jobe Shanahan, 17, claimed the honour at last Sunday’s O’Dwyer Medal awards night at Moama Bowling Club, capping off an excellent season for the key forward.
After debuting last year for the Pies seniors, Shanahan mustered eight games and 13 goals in 2023 while juggling Bendigo Pioneers duties, polling six votes in the O’Dwyer count.
In his acceptance speech, the young gun, who stands at 192cm, puts his rapid rise down to two factors.
“I’ve been working on my marking and probably a bit of explosiveness as well, just changing directions quickly,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan paid tribute to coaches at Moama and the Pioneers, taking his opportunities as the central theme of the last two seasons.
“It was just most of my coaches believing in me. Last year at the start of the year, I was told I might have a chance at having a sub game for the seniors,” he said.
“Everything started from there. For the Pioneers this year, I was told by the coaches I might have a chance of making the list.”
And Shanahan took his opportunity with both hands in his debut season for the Pios, playing 13 games.
His performances has seen him rise in calculations for next year’s draft.
“It’s exciting, but I’ve just got to focus on my footy more than that kind of stuff,” he said.
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