Clayton Oliver’s outstanding start to his AFL career has been noticed by the AFL coaches who have awarded the Melbourne young gun the 2017 Shadforth Financial Group Best Young Player of the Year.

Oliver took his game to another level in 2017 to finish his second season with an average of 30 disposals, 6.9 tackles and 6.6 clearances per game, and ranking fifth in total disposals.

The strong inside midfielder has been a key contributor to a young Demons side, with his second overall ranking in total contested possessions in the AFL testament to his ability to work at the coalface.

Oliver received 72 votes from the AFL coaches, finishing 34 votes ahead of runners up Sam Menegola (38), Christian Petracca (29), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (19) and Marcus Adams (16).

The leaderboard for the 2017 Shadforth Financial Group Best Young Player of the Year Award votes can be found below:

1. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) 72

2. Sam Menegola (Geelong) 38

3. Christian Petracca (Melbourne) 29

4. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon) 19

5. Marcus Adams (Western Bulldogs) 16

The Shadforth Financial Group Best Young Player of the Year Award is presented in recognition of the player who, based on his performance in his first two seasons of AFL Football, deserves to be acknowledged as the Best Young Player.

The winner of the Shadforth Financial Group Best Young Player of the Year Award is determined by the weekly votes of the AFL coaches, with previous winners including Scott Pendlebury, Joel Selwood and Brownlow medalists Chris Judd and Nathan Fyfe.