Jacob Dawson has won his third consecutive Doc Mackenzie Medal after being announced Southport’s VFL Best and Fairest on Friday Night at the Sharks Events Centre.

The co-captain led from the front for the Sharks again this year, averaging 33 disposals, ten clearances and six tackles per game.

In his acceptance speech Dawson said, “It truly is an honour to win this award because of how much this club means to me and so many other people.”

“Obviously it wasn’t the year of success that we wanted as a team, but I know we will be back bigger and better next year.”

Fellow midfielder Boyd Woodcock was the runner up in the vote count.  Woodcock averaged 30 disposals, six marks and one goal per game in 2023.

Brayden Crossley finished third and he was also awarded the Wally Fankhauser Memorial Trophy, which is given to the player who epitomises what it means to be a Southport player.

Brayden’s father Troy Crossley won the award in 1999. This season Crossley averaged 30 hit outs, five tackles and four marks per game.

Defender Daniel Charlesworth finished fourth and was also awarded the John Gonard Trademark Award, which is an award voted for by the players.

Jackson Edwards was awarded the Ken McDonald Most Dedicated Player award in his first year at the club, as an acknowledgement for his high training standards.