The Bulldogs' skipper had another terrific year as he led the team to an NTFA premier division grand final and also brought up his 100th game earlier this season.

McCarty claimed the prestigious honour with 27 votes while Bracknell's Matthew Dennis took second with 24 to underline his status as one of the league's best players.

Longford's Liam Davies and Deloraine's player-coach Lochy Dornauf tied for third place with 19 votes in a tight count.

Rocherlea's Josh Ponting pipped fellow Tiger Jordan Cousens for fifth spot by one vote as he totalled 18 for the season.

The Hec Smith Medal win adds to an impressive resume for McCarty which also includes four premierships - two of which were as captain - three Bulldogs' best and fairests as well as a Clarrie Boon Medal.

McCarty was not at the NTFA's night of nights as he was busy celebrating an arguably bigger life achievement, with his wedding day.

The deserved honour is recognition for McCarty, who is widely seen as one of the NTFA's toughest players, having broken his AC joint, collarbone, leg and hand since he joined the club in 2014.

McCarty was also named in the NTFA team of the decade with cousin Aaron Viney and Rocherlea's Cousens.

The 2021 NTFA grand final's Clarrie Boon Medallist Joshua Holland was a surprising way back with eight votes while the league's leading goal-kicker Luke Murfitt-Cowen accumulated 10 votes.

Ethan Petterwood led the way for Scottsdale with 12 votes while Brady Gee was not far behind on 11.

Casey Walker-Russell was Bridgenorth's highest vote-getter with 10 on the night while Matthew Zanetto claimed eight.

NTFA premiers Bracknell and finalists Longford featured the most players in the top 10 with four representing each club.

Redlegs' 2021 recruits Dennis, Holland and Sam Douglas were prominent while co-captain Jack Dyer polled well with 13 votes.

Longford's midfield star and captain Josh Frankcombe caught the umpires' eye with 13 votes while Jackson Blair (seven votes) joined Davies and Murfitt-Cowen in the top 10 for the Tigers.

South Launceston's Brad Dodds took out the NTFA reserves' best and fairest with 21 votes to pip Longford's Michael Larby on 20 in a tight count.

Bridgenorth's Jaiden Betts had a more comfortable victory in the NTFA under-18s' best and fairest with 19 votes to be four clear of Bulldogs' Sam Artis and George Town's Logan Jones who tied on 15.

NTFA COACHES TEAM OF THE YEAR

Backs: Luke Richards Jacob Singline Connor Young

Half-backs: Jake Laskey Luke McCarty Jaiden Harris

Centre: Brady Gee Jordan Cousens Liam Davies

Half-forwards: Brayden Claridge Bart McCulloch Rohan Sargeant

Forwards: Lochy Dornauf Luke Murfitt-Cowen Joshua Holland

Followers: Matthew Dennis Josh Ponting Jordan Tepper

Interchange: Jarrod Scott Nick Mitchell Ethan Petterwood James Gillow

Coach: Corry Goodluck

NTFA Team of the Decade (2010-2021)

Backs: Aaron Viney Geoff Mohr Luke Richards

Half-backs: Andrew Cox-Goodyer Steven Mayne Daniel Sellers

Centre: Nick McElwee Joshua Murfet Jake Murfet

Half-forwards: Allan O'Sign Luke McCarty Luke Duncan

Forwards: Lee Nichols Josh Adams David Wickham

Followers: Darren Long Jordan Cousens Leigh Harding (C)

Interchange: Josh Holton Daniel Withers Nathan Pearce Joel Clements

Coach: Andrew Philpot

Umpire: Hayden Shepherd