Mt Barker awards: Pavlovich claims first Bulls league fairest and best after impressive year in defence

Intercept defender Lee Pavlovich was a deserving winner of Mt Barker’s league fairest and best award at their presentation evening on October 10. Pavlovich had an excellent year for the Bulls in defence to claim his first league top gong, and that comes after being named in the Great Southern Football League Team of the Year for the second straight season. The Bulls won only three games in 2020 but Pavlovich was a stand-out in defence and finished a comfortable winner of the vote count. Pavlovich’s excellent year was rewarded with an impressive 171 votes to finished well clear of recruit Bryce Blaszkow on 102. In his first season with the Bulls, ruckman Mitch Jackson finished third on 73 votes while veterans Peter Taylor (69 votes) and Sam Lehmann (59) rounded out the top five. To make it a big night, Pavlovich was also the recipient of the supporters’ fairest and best award. Recruit Kyle Smith claimed the coaches’ award and Blaszkow was named the fairest and best under-21 player. Charlie Punch medallist Mick Hick added a reserves fairest and best award to his premiership medal, Locke Rowland was named the colts fairest and best player; and Ben Kirkwood walked away with the 16s’ top honour.