The 23 year-old played just ten of a possible 18 games for North Ballarat, but polled 11 votes to put him ahead of some other highly-fancied contenders.
He wasn't the only Kangaroo to feature though; Cruize Garlett racked up six votes for his 11 appearances and Majak Daw's ambitions of a rookie call-up continue to build momentum with six votes of his own.
Recognised by his team-mates as North Melbourne's best first-year player, Cameron Pedersen also polled six votes in just seven matches.
Ben Cunnington, Robbie Tarrant and Ben Ross were the next best of Werribee and North Ballarat's AFL contingent.
Former Demon and now Port Melbourne midfielder Shane Valenti won the trophy for the second year in a row, with Matthew Bate finishing second.
North Melbourne's vote-getters
Cameron Richardson (North Ballarat) - 11
Cameron Pedersen (Werribee) - 6
Majak Daw (Werribee) - 6
Cruize Garlett (North Ballarat) - 6
Ben Cunnington (North Ballarat) - 4
Robbie Tarrant (Werribee) - 4
Ben Ross (Werribee) - 4
Aaron Edwards (North Ballarat) - 3
Lindsay Thomas (North Ballarat) - 3
Liam Anthony (North Ballarat) - 3
Ben McKinley (Werribee) - 3
Ben Warren (Werribee) - 3
Jamie Macmillan (Werribee) - 2
Marcus White (North Ballarat) - 1
Daniel Pratt (North Ballarat) - 1
Sam Wright (Werribee) - 1
