The 20 year old forward and midfielder polled a staggering 115 votes ahead of North Melbourne rookie Alan Obst (75 votes) and consistent midfielder Rob Castello (71).
Barlow was happy to win the Bruce Montgomery Trophy, but said that a premiership best and fairest would be a career highlight.
“It was something that I’ve definitely treasuring and something that I’ll hold to close to my heart for my lifetime,” he said.
“You really want to win best and fairests in premiership or finals years, but to win is a big surprise.”
Many believe that Barlow’s exceptional performance in season 2009 will lead to a rookie listing with an AFL club, but the man himself is just happy playing VFL football.
“If someone gives me a crack, I’ll definitely have a big go at it but until that happens I’m just a university student playing footy at semi professional level,” he said.
“Until that happens (being drafted), if it’s happens I’ll give it 3000 per cent but we will just wait and see.”
Obst also claimed the player of the year as voted on by a local newspaper and said that whenever any North Melbourne player dropped back, they thoroughly enjoyed their time at Werribee.
Skipper Dom Gleeson was voted team player of the year for his outstanding ability to lead as a midfielder and move the ball quickly.
Best first year player Will Martinello had an outstanding first year at VFL level, playing all but one game in the seniors and impressing with his goal sense.
Last year’s reserves best and fairest winner Joel Magnabosco was most improved after cementing his spot in the senior team, playing 10 games in the top side.
Flashy midfielder and small forward Michael Rockefeller is one of the Tigers hard nuts, consistently working hard around packs. It was this and his ability to find the football easily that saw him be named most committed senior player for season 2009.
Jarrod Mather put two seasons ruined by injury behind him to play an integral role in the reserve team’s forward set up and at times also spent time as a midfielder. Mather was the most committed reserves player.
Rockefeller and dependable full back Scott Howard were both awarded plaques for playing their 50th senior games during the season.
Volunteers play a huge role in football clubs at all levels and Ray Smith was one man who dedicated much of his time to assisting the Tigers in many different roles.
Loraine Joiner and Ken Bennett were joint recipients of the Ray Smith Best Club Person award.
Joiner is the club’s seamstress adjusting jumper sizing for players, sewing on numbers and sponsor logos to ensure that the club’s jumpers look professional on field each week.
Bennett spends Monday and Friday mornings cleaning the change rooms to ensure that they are ready for home matches at Chirnside Park.
It was also announced by the club’s CEO Mark Penaluna that several key players have resigned for next season.
Gleeson, Castello, Rockefeller and Chisholm have all agreed to terms as the Tigers look to claim their first VFL premiership since 1993.
Seniors
Michael Barlow 116
Alan Obst 75
Rob Castello 71
Dominic Gleeson 63
Scott Howard 54
Reserves
Travis Lunardi 88
Steven Kennedy 58
David Kovacevic 55
Jarrod Mather 52
Jarrod Risol 42
