O’Garey accepted the Ron Hutchins Medal with two-year-old son Boston on his hip and wife Jane and three-month-old daughter Harper watching on. 

It was a fitting moment for one of the self-confessed ‘originals’ who moved to Leeton from Tasmania seven years ago.

The tough inside midfielder produced his trademark effort in the middle and was also a key man in linking the Crows from defence into attack.

He took a mark and kicked an important goal late in the third quarter to establish a 10-point lead for his side.

“Everyone steps out there in a grand final to try and play their best but it’s not about getting 30 touches or five goals mate, it’s to contribute to the team and what the team does and what they need from you,” O’Garey said. 

“I think I just got lucky… I think Jayden Lehman was good up there and Ben Curley played a sensational game too.

“So (the medal) could’ve went to a number of people, mate, but I’m just glad all 22 of us have got a medal now.”

O’Garey received three votes from two of the three judges. Teammate Brad Boots was given best-on by the third judge, who gave O’Garey one vote.

Jayden Lehman also polled a vote while Matt Beckmans and Brad Aiken were rewarded as Collingullie-Glenfield Park’s best.

O’Garey was thrilled with what the win means to his adopted community. He was also rapt for the retiring Ben Curley.

“He’s a work-horse mate and we’ve been through the highs and lows and building for seven years since we’ve come to the club,” O’Garey said.

“He called it quits about four weeks ago and I think that was something else to really get the boys over the line because he’s such a leader and a stalwart for the club.”

Best on ground votes:

7 – Bryce O’Garey (Leeton-Whitton)

4 – Brad Boots (Leeton-Whitton)

4 – Matt Beckmans (Collingullie-GP)

2 – Brad Aiken (Collingullie-GP)

1- Jayden Lehman (Leeton-Whitton)