Four clubs, including two of Melbourne's biggest, are believed to have spoken to the 21yearold since the final siren sounded on the Tigers' season.

Barlow's AFL dream appears to be well and truly alive.

It's an exciting time for the Shepparton United product, who is celebrating after winning the prestigious Bruce Montgomery Trophy (best and fairest award).

Barlow scored a runaway win in the vote count which was held at the Werribee racecourse on Saturday night.

He polled 116 votes to beat centre half-back Alan Obst on 75 by 41 votes.

Vice-captain and midfielder Rob Castello was third on 63 votes with captain and fellow midfielder Dom Gleeson fourth on 54.

Dependable half-back flanker Scott Howard rounded out the top five with 54 votes.

Barlow was delighted to be presented with the silverware by the man it's named in honour of - the legendary Montgomery, who was president when Werribee broke through to win a history-making premiership in 1993 in the old Victorian Football Association.

Special guests included the club's flag-winning captain-coach Donald McDonald, now a powerbroker at the club's AFL affiliate North Melbourne, and star players of the 1970s Kevin Leece and John Lloyd.

Barlow was a shining light in what was a disappointing year at Chirnside Park.

Gunning for a top-four finish at the start of the year, Werribee struggled for consistency to miss out on the finals.

It certainly was a roller-coaster ride of emotions for coach Simon Atkins and his players.

Barlow played his heart out, week in, week out.

The No.6 definitely caught the attention of the umpires.

He was runner-up to North Ballarat skin-and-bone ball magnet Myles Sewell in the voting for the JJ Liston Medal, the VFL's highest individual honour.

In a spine-tingling finish, Barlow drew level with Sewell on 16 votes after being awarded three votes in the final home and away round.