Black still hopes to live AFL dream
Newly-crowned Sandover medallist Aaron Black remains hopeful he will get his shot in the AFL after last night becoming the youngest winner since Hayden Ballantyne in 2008.
Black, 21, edged home to claim the award ahead of pre-count favourite Luke Blackwell and teammate Shane Nelson with a three-vote performance in the final round of the season.
SEE HOW THE FULL COUNT WENT BELOW
Blackwell was leading all comers on 46 votes with one round remaining at Crown Perth, but failed to poll in Claremont's round-23 win over East Perth despite an impressive 27-disposal game.
Black's 39 touches in a win over Perth were enough to take his total to 47 and see the 21-year-old become the first Falcon to claim the medal since Neil Mildenhall in 1993.
VIDEO: SEE ALL THE ACTION FROM LAST NIGHT'S SANDOVER MEDAL COUNT
Black said he still held hope of earning an AFL contract later this year, whether that be in the national draft or rookie draft.
"I definitely think that I can get to that level," he said.
"I worked really, really hard the past four-five years to get to where I am now and I sort of pride myself on how hard I work.
"I know I can get to that level and keep getting higher and higher. I look forward to many years ahead.
"I don't think you play footy without aspiring to make it to the top level. I suppose I need to keep working hard and doing what I have been doing and push myself that little bit more each year.
"I've always been confident in my ability. No matter what year it is, I always think I'm a chance to play at the top level."
Aaron Black's West Perth teammates congratulate the new Sandover Medal winner on Monday night. Pic: Ben Crabtree/WA News
Nelson was awarded five votes from the same round-23 game after gathering 52 disposals against the Demons, putting him level with Blackwell on 46 votes.
Another pre-count favourite, Subiaco's Kyal Horsley, finished in fourth place with 45 votes, with East Fremantle's Bradd Dalziell rounding out the top five.
The retiring Blackwell has finished in the top three of the Sandover Medal count four times.
Black became a regular fixture in the Falcons league side after being overlooked in the 2010 national draft, playing 16 games in 2011, 18 in 2012 and every game in 2013 as the club went on to capture the premiership for the first time in a decade.
He took his game to new heights in the absence of Mark Hutchings this season, averaging 30 disposals and seven marks and regularly being in his side's best.
Black finished the season in the top three disposal winners and had more kicks (344) than any other player.
He polled in 16 of his 20 games in 2014, taking home the maximum five votes three times.
However despite his form, Black was not one of the seven Falcons named to play in this year's State game against the NEAFL team.
East Perth finished with the most total votes of any club after finishing the regular season two games clear on top of the ladder.
Veteran Craig Wulff was the highest-polling Royal, finishing sixth on 35 votes. His West Coast-listed teammate Callum Sinclair (24) polled the most votes of any AFL-listed player, with Anthony Morabito (14) the leading light for Fremantle.
