Full back May and back pocket Lever have both been integral to Melbourne’s rise in 2021. While both had been at the club for years,2021 was the first time both were able to simultaneously put together a whole season and it’s gone a long way to the Demons’ success.

Melbourne’s ruck stocks could have received no greater endorsement out of the night with Gawn receiving his fifth All Australian blazer and the captaincy,while Jackson took out the Rising Star.

Jackson,who has played forward and ruck for the Demons after being selected at pick no.3 in the 2019 AFL draft,won the 2021 award on 51 votes ahead of GWS’ Tom Green (38 votes),Port Adelaide’s Mitch Georgiades (28 votes),Sydney’s Justin McInerney (14 votes) and Sydney’s Errol Gulden (11 votes).

Nine of the 11 judges who voted on the Rising Star award gave Jackson five votes,the most possible. He is the third Demons player to win the award behind Jesse Hogan (2015) and Jared Rivers (2004).

“I couldn’t have had the season I have without the support of Simon Goodwin,the entire coaching group and all my teammates who have helped to not only develop me as a person but also as a player,” Jackson said

“My family have also played a massive role throughout and I would like to thank them for all their support and guidance they have given me.”

Noah Anderson of the Gold Coast Suns and Fremantle’s Caleb Serong won the AFL Coaches Association best young player award.

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