He only played a handful of games at VFL level in 2017, but Andrew Swallow certainly looked a class above in the Werribee colours.

So much so, he polled eight votes in the JJ Liston Trophy from just four outings, including two best-on-ground performances in Rounds 3 and 5.

Swallow was omitted from the North Melbourne side early in the year, but quickly bounced back, playing the last ten matches in the royal blue and white.

In a sign of Braydon Preuss’ rapid emergence this season, the big man tallied seven votes as the next best Kangaroo, with Jy Simpkin, Nick Larkey, Ryan Clarke and Mitch Hibberd also polling throughout the season.

Werribee-listed midfielder Matt Hanson capped off an impressive season, finishing equal third in the count, which was won by Richmond’s Jacob Townsend.

North players in the votes

8 – Andrew Swallow
7 – Braydon Preuss
2 – Jy Simpkin
2 – Nick Larkey
2 – Ryan Clarke
1 – Mitch Hibberd