Dylan Riley had to quickly excuse himself from Wednesday's Hudson Medal press conference.
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Minutes before being unveiled as the winner of the 2020 award, the 28-year-old was answering a call from the medal's namesake, champion Tasmanian full-forward Peter Hudson.
"That was good, he's a good bloke to talk to," Riley said.
"He just gave me a call to congratulate me and and wish the team all the best for the weekend as well."
Clearly the standout forward in a season with reduced games and quarter length, Riley averages nearly three goals a game heading into Saturday's grand final.
The first-time winner, who joins coach Mitch Thorp, Sonny Whiting and Brian Finch as Blues to have won the award since 2009, was happy to credit teammates for his stellar season.
"If it wasn't for my teammates kicking the ball to me I probably wouldn't have won it so a lot of credit to them guys," Riley said.
"I like playing forward - I don't have to go and do all the hard work, I've only got to kick goals when it comes in there."
Riley and Thorp have been regular teammates since first joining forces at South Launceston, spending two seasons together at Devonport before crossing over to the Blues at the end of 2017.
As well as being great mates off-field, the pair exhibit unrivalled chemistry on the ground.
"I've played with Mitch for six years I think - he went to Adelaide for a year and I went to Deloraine but when he came back I went to Devonport with him," Riley said.
"He's done a lot for me over the years and looked after me pretty well and I'm trying to return the favour by helping him out with playing football and just being a good teammate and a good friend to him as well.
"If it wasn't for Mitch I probably wouldn't be where I am today."
Riley finished the home and away season with 34 goals in 12 games.
HUDSON MEDAL TOP 3
- 34: Dylan Riley (Launceston)
- 21: Tyler Carter (Kingborough)
- 18: Luke Nelson, Toutai Havea (Lauderdale)
RELATED: Riley, Thorp arrive at Launceston
Tickets are available for Saturday's TSL grand final HERE.