THE 2018 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal was won by Josh Corbett on Monday night, putting the talented Werribee forward in an ideal position to realise his AFL dream.
The past 12 winners of the prestigious VFL award, handed to the League's best player under the age of 24, have ultimately been picked up by AFL clubs somewhere down the track.
Seven of those 12 players were still on AFL lists in 2018, making valuable contributions at senior level, with clubs routinely using the award to pluck hidden gems from the VFL.
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Here are the past 12 winners of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal and how they have fared at AFL level.
2006: Jason Davenport
VFL Club: Geelong
Drafted: Geelong, Pick 36 in the 2006 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
Having impressed as an attacking wingman in Geelong's 2006 VFL side, Davenport was picked up as a rookie by the Cats later that year. Although he was upgraded to the senior list in his second season at the club, he was delisted in 2008 having not managed a single senior appearance. He was later recruited to Port Adelaide, where he finally made his AFL debut. He ultimately played 28 games across three years with the Power.
2007: Shane Valenti
VFL Club: Sandringham
Drafted: Melbourne, Pick 49 in the 2007 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
A promising inside midfielder with Sandringham, Valenti was recruited to Melbourne as a rookie after winning the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal in 2007. He played 15 games for the club across two years, even picking up Brownlow votes in his second-last AFL match after a 30-disposal effort against Fremantle. He was later delisted, returning to the VFL with Port Melbourne, where he won back-to-back JJ Liston Trophies in 2010 and 2011.
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2008: Robin Nahas
VFL Club: Port Melbourne
Drafted: Richmond, Pick 8 in the 2008 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
The dangerous small forward enjoyed a terrific VFL season with Port Melbourne, later recruited to Richmond as one of the first players taken in the 2008 rookie draft. He enjoyed a solid AFL career, kicking 100 goals from 83 games with the Tigers before defecting to the Kangaroos. There, he added a further 35 goals from 34 games before ultimately calling time. He returned to Port Melbourne in 2017, where he finished his playing days.
Robin Nahas played 117 AFL games with Richmond and North Melbourne. Picture: AFL Photos
2009: Michael Barlow
Drafted: Fremantle, Pick 8 in the 2009 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
2010: Michael Hibberd
Drafted: Essendon, Pick 4 in the 2010 NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft
Michael Hibberd is averaging 22 disposals from 121 AFL games. Picture: AFL Photos
2011: Ahmed Saad
Drafted: Prelisted by Greater Western Sydney, traded to St Kilda
2012: Dean Towers
Drafted: Sydney, Pick 22 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft
2013: Kane Lambert
Drafted: Richmond, Pick 46 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
Premiership Tiger Kane Lambert started his career with the Northern Blues. Picture: AFL Photos
2014: Nic Newman
Drafted: Sydney, Pick 35 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
2015: Adam Marcon
Drafted: Richmond, Pick 47 in the 2015 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
2016: Luke Ryan
Drafted: Fremantle, Pick 66 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft
Defender Luke Ryan has played 31 games since being recruited to Fremantle. Picture: AFL Photos
2017: Bayley Fritsch
Drafted: Melbourne, Pick 31 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft
2018: Josh Corbett
Corbett kicked 22 goals from nine VFL games with Werribee this season, before an eye injury prematurely ended his year. A 190cm forward, Corbett has impressed with his contested marking ability and his knack for consistently hitting the scoreboard. After the success of Lambert, Ryan and Fritsch recently, you can assume AFL clubs will be lining up to get a crack at the 22-year-old at season's end.