While it may not have come as a surprise to some, Cobram’s own Samuel Beasley - alongside childhood friend Jack Russell of Moama - has received the highest accolade in the Murray Football Netball League.
Cobram Football Netball Club President Mick Hoban said it was a massive achievement.
“He is such a beautiful person, he’s a tremendous footballer and leader,” Hoban said.
A carpenter by trade and a formidable halfback on the field, Beasley was “born and raised” around the Cobram Football Netball Club.
He said it was an absolute privilege to win the O’Dwyer.
“I was a little bit surprised,” he said.
“The number of messages of love and support I’ve received over the last couple of days is mind blowing.”
His parents have served on the club’s committee and both are premiership players for the Tigers.
“I’ve been around since I was a little tacker,” Beasley said.
The one constant throughout the years, he said, has been the great group of mates he had the fortune to grow with through the club.
“It helps with your football when you’ve got such great mates you play with - you’d do anything to help them out,” he said.
“I couldn’t do it without the blokes I run out with every week, that’s for sure.”
Now living in Melbourne, Beasley - alongside about a dozen Tigers - trains in the big smoke before making the three-hour journey up to Cobram for the weekend game.
“We really enjoy training together as a group and coming back to play footy for Cobram,” he said.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to play with my two younger brothers [Jack and Harry Beasley] on the senior side the last couple of years.”
Beasley said it is a privilege to captain the squad.
“We’re a really tight-knit group in the seniors and reserves squad, so we tend to do a lot together,” he said.
“Community sport is a massive part of the community as a whole. It’s a great way to socialise and get out there and meet people.”