Tom Ruggles has capped of his tremendous debut season with the VFL Cats by claiming the 2015 Geelong VFL Best & Fairest Award.
The Leopold product polled 88 votes to win the count comfortably with young midfielders Jarrad Jansen (65) and Dean Gore (62) finishing second and third respectively.
Ruggles adds to the list of non-AFL listed players to take out the award, joining the likes of past winners James Podsiadly, Mark Corrigan and James Byrne.
23-year-old Ruggles was the only Cat to play all 18 VFL matches in 2015 and received votes in 13 of those games, whilst also being named best on ground three times.
Following 17 VFL matches in two seasons at the Werribee Tigers from 2012-13, Ruggles returned to Leopold in 2014 and earned GFL Team of the Year honours in the Lions’ strong campaign.
Earning the chance to play at VFL level once again in 2015, Ruggles made the most of his opportunity being a consistent force off half-back for the Cats.
Despite the Cats often having to field depleted line-ups due to an extensive injury list, Ruggles’ composure rarely wavered, regardless of the immense pressure that was often on him.
Over the season, Ruggles averaged 18 disposals, five marks, six contested and 12 uncontested possessions per game.
With the rest of the top six vote-getters rounded out by AFL listed players, Ruggles’ runaway victory highlights how important he was to the Cats in 2015.
Another consistent figure in the Cats up-and-down season was Jansen, who was runner-up with 65 votes in his 16 VFL matches.
Jansen’s ability to impact the contest saw him vastly improve in 2015, averaging 10 contested possessions and six tackles a game.
The big-bodied midfielder also used his size to rack up numerous clearances and hit outs throughout the year, often being utilised as the ‘third man up’ to propel the Cats forward.
Rounding out the top three was first year midfielder, Dean Gore, who totalled 62 votes despite playing only 11 games.
Statistically, Gore was one of the Cats’ best all year finishing fifth in disposals (average of 21.4), fifth in tackles (5.6), fourth in clearances (3.6) and first in inside 50’s (3.5), showcasing his potential as a quality midfielder.
Whilst it was a great year for the VFL players, team manager Vic Fuller ended the year on a personal high, claiming the 2015 Alec Gillon Award for his outstanding services to the VFL side and the football community as a whole.
His dedication and hard work throughout the 2015 season and during his 41-year tenure at the Geelong Football Club have been exemplary and he is well deserving of the highly regarded accolade.
2015 Geelong VFL Best & Fairest – Top 10
- Tom Ruggles (88 votes)
- Jarrad Jansen (65)
- Dean Gore (62)
- Michael Luxford (59.5)
- George Horlin-Smith (56)
- Jake Kolodjashnij (55.5)
- Matthew Farrelly (53)
- Brenton Rees (52.5)
- Dawson Simpson (46)
- Jackson Sheringham (42.5)
