The former Brooks High student played just one senior game in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons but has played every game for the Suburban Tigers this year. 

Only Jacob Hawkins has been named in the best for Rocherlea more times, and only competition leader Ben Elmer has kicked more goals than Claridge’s 17.

Stubbs said Claridge’s best-on-ground performance and breakout haul of seven goals in last weekend’s NTFA representative game was “just reward” for a hardworking youngster.

“We’ve seen football like that from him regularly throughout the year, so it’s really no surprise to me that he’s basically got that reward and got on the end of a few good kicks and took his marks and converted his goals,” Stubbs said.

“That’s the sort of stuff he’s been doing for us all year.

“In our setup he probably doesn’t play as close to goal as he got to on the weekend - I think he might have got a good match-up and they sent him a bit deeper - so that’s just a reward for his effort so far this year.

“If he continues the way he’s going, that’s very handy for us.”