Black's hard work brings Sandover Medal, now he hopes for AFLTuesday, September 16, 2014 - 5:49 PM - by Chris Pike

AARON Black has worked tirelessly to improve constantly throughout his 85-game WAFL career with West Perth and the 21-year-old was rewarded with the 2014 Sandover Medal on Monday night but even he was surprised at the result.

Black won the Sandover Medal for 2014 on Monday night polling 47 votes to win by one vote ahead of teammate Shane Nelson and former winner and pre-count favourite Luke Blackwell with Subiaco captain Kyal Horsley finishing on 45 votes and East Fremantle's Bradd Dalziell 43.

It was a thrilling vote count but in the end Black won after polling in the final eight games of the season and held on to win with Blackwell not polling a vote in Claremont's Round 23 victory over East Perth where most pundits had him close to best on ground, if not the best afield that day.

Nevertheless, Black is without question a deserved Sandover Medal winner as he becomes West Perth's first winner since Neil Mildenhall in 1993 and before that Robbie West in 1992.

Black has continually improved his game and added new facets throughout his 85-game career now with the Falcons since making his debut in 2010, and that was acknowledged with his Sandover Medal victory.

Not content with where he stood as a premiership player and State representative at the end of 2013, Black improved further in 2014 but he didn’t expect to win the Sandover Medal coming to the count or as the night progressed instead expecting either Nelson or Blackwell to prevail.

"I'm still pretty surprised and it hasn’t really hit me yet, but it's definitely a great honour seeing all the great names who have won the award in history. It's definitely a great honour and I'm still in a bit of shock, but I'll definitely enjoy it and soak it all in," Black said.

"With four rounds to go, I thought I was a long way off the mark. Obviously Shane had a very good finish to the year and I definitely thought that he was within a chance to win, but as we got closer and closer it hit home a little bit that I was a chance. I'm still in a bit of shock, but I am just trying to soak it up and enjoy it."

After five league games in 2010 while still at school, Black played 16 matches in 2011 and another 20 in 2012 mostly in run-with roles where he learned a lot from playing on the likes of Kris Miller and Josh Roberts which he credits for helping to developing his attacking side since.

By 2013, he was turned loose as an attacking wingman and delivered an outstanding season averaging over 25 possessions a game on top of starring State game and grand final roles, and then improved further with in excess of 30 disposals a game in 2014 both on the ball and on the wing.

He has no doubt 2014 was the best season of his career particularly in terms of performing at a high standing every week.

He never had lower than 22 disposals a game and had a stunning finish to the season with 44 possessions in Round 19, 30 in Round 20, 32 in Round 21, 36 in Round 22 and 39 in Round 23.

"I definitely think it was my most consistent year," he said.

"Nothing obviously beats last year as a team experience, but in terms of performing week in and week out, I think this year was my best year and I stepped it up to another level. So in terms of that my consistency was awesome and I was very happy with it."

Black certainly had plenty of people to acknowledge for him progressing to now be a premiership player, State player and Sandover Medal winner including those at the club and away from it.

"I'd like to especially thank the coaching staff for the past five years and all the support staff for looking after me when I'm in the change rooms. I definitely want to give a big thanks to all my teammates," Black said.

"We had a fantastic year last year and it was definitely a ride this year with many ups and downs so I think it's really important for us to have a big year in the off-season and really put together the things that we did well this year, and do that from the start of the 2015 season.

"I want to give a big thank you to my family for coming to the games and supporting. They are always very supportive and very happy to see that I play well, and that the team plays well.

"A massive, massive thank you to mum, dad and my two brothers. And thanks to my beautiful girlfriend Lauren for all her support in putting up with me after games, and after training. I really do appreciate it the support that she gives me."

Despite still being only 21, he has now played 85 senior matches with West Perth and with a Sandover Medal to his credit, he hopes to follow the footsteps of Kane Mitchell, Andrew Krakouer, Hayden Ballantyne and Matt Priddis as winners since 2006 to go on to play in the AFL.

Black has certainly always felt he was capable of playing AFL football from his time in the WA State 18s and now given his constant improvement each season since, he has no doubt he is ready.

"I definitely think that I can get to that level. I have worked really, really hard the past four or five years to get to where I am now and I pride myself on how hard I work. I know I can get to not only this level, but keep getting higher and higher. I look forward to many good years ahead," Black said.

"Obviously I am just trying to go out and play the best footy I can week in and week out, and if the AFL happens then it happens but it's definitely something that I aspire to do and that I think I can do. You don't play footy without aspiring to play to the top level.

"I just need to keep working hard and doing what I have been doing, and push myself that little bit more each year and hopefully the chance comes.

"I've always thought I was a chance to play AFL. Not in an arrogant way, but I've always been confident in my ability so no matter what year it is I always think I'm a chance to play at the top level.