North Melbourne young gun Harry Sheezel has achieved a rare footy feat by becoming the club’s best and fairest winner in his debut season.
Sheezel, the number three pick in last year’s draft, finished a whopping 24 votes clear of second-placed Nick Larkey to be awarded the 2023 Syd Barker Medal.
Bailey Scott finished in third for a second consecutive count.
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The win is a remarkable achievement for Sheezel who played in all 23 games for the Roos this season.
The 18-year-old rookie becomes the first player since Port Adelaide’s Darren Mead back in 1997 to be crowned a club best and fairest in their debut season.
And it’s worth noting Mead was 26 at the time of that win.
Sheezel now joins the likes of Carlton’s Craig Bradley and Richmond’s Maurice Rioli Senior to achieve the incredible feat.
“Yeah it did (come as a shock),” he said after the win.
“It’s a massive honour – to see some of the champions who have won the award in the past and to now be a part of that history is very special.
“I am grateful.
“The first year boys have been there since day one with me, experienced it all with me … we talk a lot about the club about what we can do to really drive the group.
“Everyone put so much confidence in me and it helps me just be me.”
It’s been an outstanding debut season for Sheezel who, despite being drafted as a forward, has dominated from half back.
The young gun arrived at the Roos as part of the blockbuster four-club Jason Horne-Francis deal which saw North cough up pick one to get both selections two and three – used on Sheezel and George Wardlaw.
With the Lions slotting in with their father-son selection for Will Ashcroft, it was West Coast’s former pick two that secured Sheezel for North.
His debut season included 12 games of 30-plus disposals while he also took home the Rising Star title last month.
The Syd Barker medal wasn’t the only title Sheezel claimed in the club awards count held on Saturday night, as he was named Best Young Player and the fan-voted Mazda Excellence Award winner.
Defender Ben McKay finished seventh in the Roos’ best and fairest count despite being destined for an off-season move away from Arden Street.
Tarryn Thomas was another player of note inside the top 10, as he finished sixth despite not playing a game until Round 12 due to a club imposed suspension.
Jack Ziebell, who announced his retirement last month, finished in fifth.
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