Tasmania Devils' Colby McKercher wins Talent League Morrish Medal

The Launceston Blues product tied for the league best and fairest award with Geelong Falcons midfielder Patrick Hughes.

It was the third-consecutive year the count finished in a tie, with McKercher and Hughes both polling 18 votes.

It was a good night for McKercher who got to share the news with his coaches and his good mate James Leake who also had reason to celebrate.

The Devils pair made the Talent League team of the year with McKercher in the midfield and Leake in the back pocket.

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McKercher said they were at the gym when they heard of their acknowledgements.

"I was going through some rehab for my injury," he said.

"I got the news from (the coaches). I was super excited and very grateful to get a little reward at the end of a season which has been a really happy and pleasing one for me.

"I'm really good friends with James ... so to share being in a team of the year like that is something we were really grateful for.

"We're going to keep working hard because that's the kind of thing that keeps us motivated and keeps us wanting to work hard."

McKercher played just eight games in the Talent League this year and polled votes in seven of them.

He averaged 31 disposals and booted 11 goals.

"I wasn't really thinking about it at all and it was a surprise, as it wasn't on my mind," he said of the award.

McKercher was the second-successive player from the Devils to win the medal after Devonport's Lachie Cowan tied for the award last year.

"I'm really good friends with Lachie so am also very grateful to share something like that with him," he said.

"To be with a name like his, is really humbling, and being great mates with him as well, it's something we can talk about next time we catch up."

McKercher returned for the Devils on the weekend for their preliminary final loss against Eastern Ranges.

He had been on the sidelines with a foot injury sustained against the Calder Cannons in round 16.

"We had such a good group and I was really happy to share the field one last time with my good friends and play for Tassie," he said.

"My rehab went real well and I got back pretty soon.

"It was pretty difficult through those few weeks where I wasn't doing much and just sitting at home.

"But I ended up getting back out there and I'm going real well now so I'm very happy."

McKercher twice represented Australia as part of the AFL Academy program before helping guide the Allies to their first title at the AFL National Championships.

He was selected in the under-18 All-Australian team after finishing runner up in the Larke Medal.

Geelong Falcons' Sara Howley claimed the Talent League Girls best and fairest.

Tasmania Devils' Mackenzie Williams (half-back flank) and Georgia Clark (centre half-forward) were selected in the team of the year.

Morrish Medal

Talent League Girls best and fairest

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