Viney won the 2015 Tasmanian Coach of the Year award in a category that included Glenorchy State League coach Aaron Cornelius as a nominee.

North Launceston premiership coach Zane Littlejohn was last year’s recipient of the award.

The award caps off a remarkable run of success for the 31-year-old Viney, whose two-year coaching reign saw the Bulldogs win 35 of 36 games and back-to-back premierships after he was lured back to the club from Rocherlea in 2014 to oversee its return to the NTFA from the State League.

‘‘It was definitely unexpected – to be nominated by the NTFA and to win their award was good in itself,’’ Viney said. ‘‘But to go on and be recognised as the regional winner and then the Tasmanian winner was a massive shock.’’

It was the first year that Viney had been nominated in the annual football awards, which celebrate and recognise hard-working volunteers, administrators, coaches and umpires in each region of the state.

Viney’s success follows on from that of South captain Leigh Harding, who won a swag of individual medals this season, including the NTFA’s Hec Smith Medal for the association’s best and fairest player.

‘‘I was actually stirring Leigh up at the dinner and said that this was probably the only award he hasn’t won this year, so it was nice to get one on him,’’ Viney said.

‘‘But it is a great reward for the footy club and the boys around the club who have put in so much effort. I guess I am the coach and the one who gets recognised for it.

‘‘It is a nice little cherry on top after winning the premiership over the last couple of years and a nice way to bow out, so I’m pretty proud of it.’’

Harding will replace the 188-game veteran as coach of South Launceston next season with Viney stepping down from the role due to family commitments but continuing as a player.

Scottsdale Crows’ David Galloway was another Northern award recipient, winning AFL Tasmania’s state volunteer of the year award.