BY KELLY MASTERS
Lochlan Dickson has won his second consecutive Jim Sullivan Medal in only his second season at Coburg Football Club.
Dickson was a red-hot favourite after transitioning from the backline in 2018 to become an integral part of the Coburg midfield in 2019.
The annual award night was held at Aurora Receptions on Friday, where Dickson took an early lead in the vote count and managed to maintain the lead at each break. By going back to back, Dickson became the 8th player in Coburg’s 129 year history to go back to back as the club’s best and fairest winner and the most recent since Daniel Venditti won three in a row between 2013-15.
Dickson was either leading the count or running a very close second throughout the season, polling a total of 99 votes to be announced the Jim Sullivan Medallist after round 21. Last year’s co-medallist Marcus Lentini was awarded the Brad Nimmo Best and Fairest Runner Up award with 94 votes, while Tyson Lever earnt 93 to become the Vin Taranto Best and Fairest in third place. Harry Nolan and Jesse Corigliano were both not far behind after their hard-fought efforts in the back six throughout the season.
Dickson finished the season averaging 22.5 disposals, 3.5 tackles, and kicked 10 goals after playing all of Coburg’s 18 games this year.
The 24-year old from Wonga Park has been working with Coburg club partner First Traffic Management and joined the club following a strong local football season with Norwood in 2017.
Working over the 2019 pre-season on his midfield fitness, it didn’t take Dickson long to adapt to the midfield running patterns and what positions he needed to get to in his new role. He has demonstrated his consistency week in and week out.
Being able to play well on both talls and smalls in defence when played as a backman and breaking through tackles from some of the most vigorous opponents in the Victorian Football League as a midfielder, Dickson has become a household name in his two years playing in the VFL.
Dickson will now join teammate Sam Lowson at the State Combine in October where we wish both Lions all the best in front of AFL recruiters.
The club congratulates Lochlan Dickson on a fantastic season as our 2019 Jim Sullivan Medallist!
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