The second-year coach polled in 13 of a possible 16 games, including seven best on ground performances where he recorded three votes to contribute to being named the 2017 Dellar Medalist.

Carey blitzed the rest of the competition, recording 12 more votes than Laharum’s Robert Miller in second-place.

The midfielder said he did not expect to win the award.

“It was a bit of a surreal feeling,” he said.

“It is an absolute honour to call myself a Dellar medalist. I never thought it would happen to me.”

The Baggies’ mostly successful 2017 campaign was reflected during the vote count on Monday night, with eleven players registering votes throughout the season.

The 71 votes polled by senior Swifts players was the third most in the league, behind the Southern Mallee Giants and Harrow-Balmoral. 

Ryan Folkes was Swifts’ second highest vote-getter, polling 12 votes to finish in equal eleventh place. 

Carey said the even contribution of his team mates helped him win the award.

“It has proven to me that you need a team that performs every Saturday to win a league best and fairest,” he said.

“The boys have been instrumental in our rise to the finals this year. It has been a privilege to coach them.”

Carey coached his team into its first finals appearance since 2014 this season, finishing third on the ladder and defeating Natimuk United to notch a hard fought finals victory to their name. 

The Baggies were knocked out in the semi-finals by Jeparit-Rainbow.

Carey said being named as the coach of the year says a lot about the people around him.

“It was great to get some recognition for the work you put in,” he said.

“The award has my name on the plaque but no one really talks about the people that help you.

“Andrew Cameron has been there every step of the way and there have been so many other people to help me and the club get this group to where it is now.”