VFL Tiger Sam Davidson received the 2024 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medal as the league’s most promising young player at the VFL and VFLW Awards night.

Davidson was outstanding for the Tigers at VFL level this season and was rewarded with the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medal at the VFL and VFLW Awards night earlier this week.

The Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medal is awarded to the most promising player in the Smithy’s VFL aged 24 or under.

In just his first season playing at the level, Davidson became the first VFL Tiger to receive the award, and was also named in the 40-man Team of the Year squad alongside fellow first-year Tiger Lachlan Wilson.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive season at VFL level for the Tigers this season, averaging 14 disposals, three marks and three tackles from his 17 outings.

The forward/winger also booted 26 goals to finish the season as the side’s leading goalkicker.

An elite runner and good ball-user, Davidson enjoyed standout performances against Port Melbourne in Round 11 (17 disposals, three marks, six tackles and four goals) and the Northern Bullants in Round 15 (19 disposals, eight marks and six goals) to receive eight and 10 rebel coaches’ MVP votes, respectively.

The rising star finished with 26 votes on the 2024 rebel coaches’ MVP leaderboard, tied with fellow Team of the Year squad member Lachlan Wilson as the most votes from any Tiger at VFL level this season.

Prior to VFL football, Davidson played for Maffra in the Gippsland Football League and impressed with his size, running capacity, work rate, clean hands and versatility.

As part of an extended list of 62 players announced in August, Davidson received an invitation to attend the AFL’s State Draft Combine in October.