FORMER Western Storm midfielder Matt Hanson has capped off a stellar season with Werribee in the VFL with selection in the league's team of the year.
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The 20-year-old best-and-fairest winner at the Storm made the move to the VFL this season after his disappointment at missing out in the AFL draft last year despite attracting interest from several AFL clubs.
Hanson has worked hard and adapted to the higher standard of the VFL with aplomb being named in the Tigers best six a remarkable 12 times from 16 games during the season.
His selection in the VFL team of the year should boost his draft chances this year and he could well find himself following in the footsteps of another Tasmanian, Ben Brown, who moved to Werribee in 2013 and was then picked up by the Kangaroos in that year's draft.
"I was pretty stoked and obviously it was a big honour to be selected in that side so I am rapt with it," Hanson said.
"I thought my year has been pretty consistent - I didn't really know what to expect coming over but I have really had a crack at it and it has paid off.
"The VFL is a lot harder than the State League but all the coaches and players have really made me feel welcome and helped me develop and it has improved my footy because the level has stepped up."
Hanson said he was hoping to get picked up in the draft this year but had not had any interest from any clubs at this stage.
If he is not successful in the draft he plans to stick around at Werribee for next season.
Hanson said fellow Tasmanian and former North Launceston captain Mitch Van Den Berg's season with Werribee had been hampered by a finger injury which required surgery and kept him sidelined for the last eight weeks of the season.
Hanson said he was working as a part-time lifeguard at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
He is planning a visit home in October and again around AFL draft night.