Dependable defender Matt Dea has won Richmond’s VFL Best and Fairest award for 2015.

Dea took out the second Guinane Medal with 49 votes, ahead of tough, inside midfielder Matt Thomas, 37 votes, and the team’s captain Jaryd Cachia, who finished equal third alongside James Wall on 31 votes.

It was a standout season at VFL level from Dea, who averaged 20 disposals and six marks in his 15 games.

He was ranked second overall in the competition for contested marks inside defensive 50.

Dea, who turns 25 next week (October 13), was considered unlucky not to receive an opportunity at senior level throughout the season.

To his considerable credit, however, he cast aside his frustration to produce such fine football for the Tigers’ VFL side.

The Guinane Medal is named in honor of one of Richmond’s most prominent father-son combinations, Dan and Paddy Guinane, who both had celebrated playing careers with the Tigers, before serving the Club with distinction in key off-field areas.

The 2015 Guinane Medal top 20

1^st              Matt Dea                            49 votes
2^nd             Matt Thomas                     37
Eq. 3^rd      James Wall                        31
Eq. 3^rd      Jaryd Cachia                      31
5^th             Matt McDonough               28
6^th             Liam McBean                    27
Eq. 7^th      Shaun Hampson              26
Eq. 7^th      Matt Arnot                            26
Eq. 7^th      Nick Wynne                        26
Eq. 7^th      David Astbury                    25
11^th          Jason Castagna               22
Eq. 12^th   Reece McKenzie              21
Eq. 12^th   Ed Barlow                          21
Eq. 14^th   Tyson Kruse                      20
Eq. 14^th   Ryan Gale                          20
16^th          Todd Elton                          18
17^th          Sam Lloyd                          17
Eq. 18^th   Ben Lennon                       16
Eq. 18^th   Anthony Scott                     16
20^th          Connor Menadue              13