Gold Coast co-captain Jarrod Witts has joined a prestigious list of players to win a SUNS Club Champion award after the ruckman dominated the vote-count on Saturday night at Southport Sharks.
The skipper finished the night with 553 votes, over 100 votes clear of runner-up David Swallow (417) and third-placed Darcy Macpherson (368).
It’s Witts’ first-ever club Best & Fairest after he finished eighth in the award in 2018.
READ: Swallow tributes fellow podium finishers
“I’m just really honoured to win this award,” Witts told SUNS Media.
“There’s been some serious players who have won this award in the past and to now be in with them is a massive honour and something that I’m really proud of.”
It was a record-breaking year for the SUNS ruckman, who finished the season with the most-ever hitouts in an AFL regular season with 1,008 from his 22 games.
He’s building a reputation as being one of the most consistent and durable players on the Gold Coast, notching his second-straight year without missing an AFL match.
READ: Preparation key to Macpherson's rise
“I think I was able to get a good block of work in not just this year but the years gone past as well,” Witts said.
“I think by being able to roll out year after year it helps you moving forward.
“Just being able to show up and compete in most sessions is something that’s really held me in good stead.”
It wasn’t just on the field where Witts shone, his leadership has soared in 2019 after the 26-year-old was elevated to share the captaincy with Swallow.
“I think to be able to share the co-captaincy with Dave who is obviously a serious player and to be able to bounce stuff off each other throughout the year has been really helpful,” he said.
“(It’s) allowed me to continue going about my footy and playing my role.”
Not due back until November, Witts is looking forward to spending some time with his off-field support pillar, his fiancé Renée.
Upon return, the Club Champion is ready for another huge pre-season and is eager to see what next year holds.
“I think the most exciting thing is how young we are and how talented some of our players are,” Witts said.
“Some of them can seriously play.
“If we get a good pre-season in and we’re able to show up like we did last off-season, boys are able to put their best foot forward.
“I know we’re not going great now but I think it can change really quickly.”
