Liam Dunn wasn't meant to be playing in the AFL North West in 2021.
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The young chippy wanted to take the year off to focus on his work.
But the chance to continue the Swans' rebuild was too hard to say no to.
"I couldn't resist the temptation of hopefully winning a flag. I had to come back," he said.
Now, Dunn has won the Gillies Medal after being named the AFL North West men's best and fairest player on Wednesday night when he beat Inverell's Hayden Chappel by a single point.
In 2018, Dunn - along with a string of other rookies - made an instant impact for the Swans but he went to another level in 2021.
He started the year playing where he always had - at centre half back.
Dunn's trademark runs out of the backline were on show early in the year before he was shifted into the ruck.
It was a forced move after the Swans were without the likes of Rhys Chillingworth, Andrew Finlay and Ryland Sainsbury late in the season.
The ruck turned out to be the perfect place for Dunn. He could take his hard at the footy style of play to another level.
"I think it's probably been a long time coming," Dunn said of the shift.
"I love it so much more in there - where the action is.
"It was unfortunate it came through a few big injuries but it's worked out well in the end. Especially with the solid backline we've got, it allows me to do it."
As the vote count was being sent out over Facebook, Dunn wasn't actually following along.
He found out via the Swans group chat when all his teammates started congratulating him.
Dunn said his mind was on other things - like getting back on the field.
"It was good to hear the news but the big picture is finishing the job with all the boys which we've set ourselves up pretty good to do," he said.
"The opportunity is there, hopefully we can go back out and play some more footy.
"If not, I think it'll just extend the hunger into next year."
A return of sport will be at least another week away after the NSW regional lockdown was extended until at least August 28.
On Wednesday night, Inverell's Gabrielle Mooney was named the women's best and fairest player while in the under 17s, Tamworth's Jack Dadd was named the B&F winner and Gunnedah's John Hoppe won the under 14s B&F award.
For a full list of award winners head to the AFL North West Facebook page.
Ben Jaffrey
Ben is a content curator and journalist for The Land. He has been with ACM since 2015 and first worked at The Area News and then at the Northern Daily Leader. Ben first joined ACM Agri as a digital journalist for all seven agricultural mastheads in 2022 before shifting to The Land full-time in 2023.
Ben is a content curator and journalist for The Land. He has been with ACM since 2015 and first worked at The Area News and then at the Northern Daily Leader. Ben first joined ACM Agri as a digital journalist for all seven agricultural mastheads in 2022 before shifting to The Land full-time in 2023.
