JACKSON McLachlan has been recognised for his standout season for the Bendigo Bank Cats at the 2021 VFL and VFLW Award ceremony on Thursday night.

McLachlan was named in the VFL Team of the Year on a half forward flank after a strong season for the Cats averaging 18 disposals, four tackles and a goal per game.

The 23-year-old made nine VFL appearances this year and was named in the best players in three games.

McLachlan’s best performance came in Geelong’s big win against Brisbane in Round 11 when he kicked 4.1 from 25 disposals and laid six tackles.

McLachlan was one of 27 players that was also nominated for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal which recognises the VFL’s most promising player.

His impressive performances in a reduced season shouldn’t do his AFL draft prospects any harm and Geelong’s VFL Operations Manager Nathan Tweddle believes the crafty Cat is one of the program’s most draftable prospects.

“His last two seasons, whether it was 2019 or 2021, have been really consistent at VFL level,” Tweddle told the Geelong Advertiser.

“Our belief is if he puts together another really good body of football next year, that there’s no reason why he couldn’t be picked up.

“Even this year, there’s clubs that have been asking questions about him.

“I’d love to see him get an opportunity at any AFL club if it wasn’t at Geelong.”

Geelong also had three players named in the 2021 rebel VFLW Team of the Year, with Laura Gardiner, Claudia Gunjaca and Liv Fuller all earning spots in the team of 21.