Consistent form and fitness was the key to David Iaccarino’s run to the Western Jets’ highest honour, the Barry Round Medal.
Iaccarino walked away with the coveted best-and-fairest award after returning to the club under the 19-year-old rule this season.
The Williamstown Juniors product put behind him an injury-marred first two years in the TAC Cup and repaid the faith shown in him by Jets region manager Shane Sexton.
“It’s definitely been one of my most consistent seasons … my best year so far,” Iaccarino told the Weekly.
“I really wanted a full year at the Jets so I was fortunate Shane let me come back.”
A move into the midfield, endorsed by head coach Torin Baker and midfield coach Craig DeCorsey, paid dividends for Iaccarino.
Previously pigeon-holed in a rebounding halfback role, the 19-year-old blossomed into one of the standout players in the competition when given more freedom to roam.
He complemented his noted outside run and silky skills with some hard work in the midst of the packs and found a way to kick goals from the midfield.
Iaccarino’s influence was significant in getting the Jets to the finals.
“They’ve been massive this year in my development as a midfielder,” Iaccarino said of his coaches. “The midfield is where I love to play and I was happy they threw me in there and put their faith in me. Hopefully, I delivered.”
If there’s a question mark over Iaccarino, it’s the state of his shoulders.
His bottom-age year was ruined when he required a reconstruction of the right shoulder, and he’ll have surgery on his left one during this off-season.
The positive is that Iaccarino has no recurring issues on the right side.
“I’ve been playing with a bad [left] shoulder all year so I’ve got to get that fixed up.
“The right one feels good so I’m pretty confident the left one will hold up after it’s fixed.”
Iaccarino, who lives in Williamstown, has nominated for November’s AFL national draft and has spoken to “a couple” of AFL clubs.
He feels as if he put his best foot forward during the season and the rest is out of his hands.
“I’ll try to stay as fit as possible up until the draft,” Iaccarino said.
“Even if I don’t get picked up I’ve been happy with the year I put forward and I can go back to the VFL and find some avenues there.”\
2013 BARRY ROUND MEDAL
Best and fairest: David Iaccarino
Runner up: Jake Greiser
Most consistent: James Sicily
Most courageous: Daniel O’Leary
Best first year player: Mitchell Norton
Coaches award: Brett Bewley
Trainers award: Liam McMahon
U15 player of the year: Brock McGregor
U16 player of the year: Tylar Vujanic
Club people of the year: Jay Ellis and Shaun Jennings
Life member inductees: Angelo Basilone and Peter Binek
TAC Cup team of the year: James Sicily
U16 Vic Metro representatives: Lochlan McDonald and Tylar Vujanic
U18 Vic Metro representatives: James Sicily and Jake Greiser
