ALAN Batchelor is once again the toast of the Ararat Football-Netball Club, with the Rats recognising his 12 years of dedication and loyalty with a life membership.
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There isn't much the talented onballer hasn't achieved in his 230 games with the Rats, which began in 2001 with the under 14s where he claimed the best and fairest.
Playing in the under 17s Batchelor took out the Wimmera and Ararat best and fairest double in 2003, before captaining the team the following year.
However, it has been with the senior side where the 27-year-old has produced his best football.
He completed the Rats' best and fairest hat trick in 2008 by winning the Olver Memorial Medal, and the same year cemented his spot as the best player in the league when he claimed the prestigious Toohey Medal. Batchelor fell just short of achieving the feat again the following season, with a runner-up finish.
The Ararat favourite, who has been captain of the Rats since 2009, said the life membership came as a complete surprise but was an honour he was very proud to accept.
"This is by far and away the biggest award that I have received," Batchelor said.
"I have received a lot of individual accolades, but nothing like this. It means a lot because it has been earned just through longevity and being loyal to one club."
Rats' coach David Hosking said he can still remember the first time he saw Batchelor play a senior game.
"It was back in about the mid-2000s and I came down for a look one day, I didn't have anything to do with the club at the time and I couldn't believe this small young kid was doing what he was doing it was clear he was something pretty special," he said.
"You can see how emotional he is about the club and that is special, you can't buy that, you can't manufacture it, that is just genuine."
Playing under Hosking and Andrew Louder, Batchelor said this year was one of the most enjoyable seasons he has had at Ararat.
Starting 2014 with four straight wins and playing finals football were the highlight for the Rats' stalwart and Batchelor said he can see the current group of players building towards something special.
Hosking agreed, with the club determined to help Batchelor achieve the one accolade that has eluded him during his career at Ararat.
"We have got to win a premiership for him, it is as simple as that," Hosking said.
"For a guy who has won a Toohey Medal, won the under 17 best and fairest, a senior best and fairest, he has done it all on an individual scale and he doesn't care about any of that at the time I'm sure he really appreciated them but now all he wants is that ultimate team success that he can share with his mates."
