ANY AFL club on the lookout for a small forward should look no further than the WAFL and its 2008 Sandover Medal winner Hayden Ballantyne.

He might now be a mature recruit at 21 years of age, but the dynamic small forward from Peel Thunder has now played 59 league matches and had a brilliant season in 2008 kicking 75 goals and also showing an ability to run through the middle.

Ballantyne received the Sandover Medal on Monday night in Perth after receiving 41 votes under the 5-4-3-2-1 voting system. He was two votes ahead of former West Coast and Carlton player Callum Chambers who had a terrific season with West Perth.

Third was former Carlton midfielder Ross Young (28 votes), followed by Subiaco's century goalkicker Brad Smith (27), with Subiaco's Shaun Hildebrandt, Swan Districts pair Josh Roberts and Brett Wolfenden, and another young and exciting forward Claremont's Ian Richardson finishing on 25.

Ballantyne polled top votes in seven of Peel's eight wins in the WAFL this season and his coach and former West Coast premiership player Chris Waterman has no doubting how far he can go.

"He will play AFL football and he will be more ready than people think because after five rounds he had 26 goals and was well in front, so that led to the opposition putting a circle around him for every game. He copped that attention from the opposition and has already learnt how to deal with that," Waterman said.

"He's not your 18 or 19-year-old draftee, he's 21 and has played 50 games, so he's more than ready to play AFL football. Kicking 75 goals would indicate that he's very handy close to goal but the good thing about him is that he can develop more of his game. He has a lot more to learn about playing midfield than forward pocket and I'm sure if he gets 15 games in the AFL next year he'll kick at least 30 goals."

Ballantyne might be excitable and vocal on the field but he was genuinely shocked and nervous as it became obvious he was to be a Sandover Medal winner during the course of the night.

Ballantyne was delighted to win and wants to take the next step into the AFL.

"I just came for the free feed so it's just unbelievable. I thought I was a rough chance and might poll a few votes but they just kept on coming and I stayed in front. I can't believe it," Ballantyne said.

"I love playing close to goal but I also love going into the midfield and having a run through there. It worked when I did it and hopefully I can do more of that in the future. It's just a great feeling and I'll tell you how much it means when I realise what has happened to me. I'd love to stay at Peel but there's other stuff to do as well and bigger fish to fry."

THE TOP 12 VOTE GETTERS
Hayden Ballantyne (Peel) - 41 votes
Callum Chambers (West Perth) – 39
Ross Young (Perth) – 28
Brad Smith (Subiaco) – 27
Shaun Hildebrandt (Subiaco) – 25
Josh Roberts (Swan Districts) – 25
Brett Wolfenden (Swan Districts) – 25
Ian Richardson (Claremont) – 25
Toby McGrath (South Fremantle) – 24
Brendon Jones (Perth) – 24
Simon Rosa (Peel) – 24
Simon O'Keefe (South Fremantle) - 22