That's no disrespect to the recognition. Gordon had won two club best-and-fairests and two league medals in his time at Collingullie-Glenfield Park, and was deeply honoured to breakthrough for his first at the Hawks after finishing runner-up the last two years.

In fact, he says it's certain to ensure he stays at the Hawks again next year too.

But the midfielder's outstanding season has been the result of an absolute desire to get his team back to the top.

After all, as well as those individual awards, Gordon won two Riverina League premierships (one as co-coach) and had a big hand in the Hawks' drought-breaking grand final win in 2016.

"I'd give up my best-and-fairest for a flag any day," Gordon said.

"That's why we play footy, for team success, and to try to win a flag together. We've got another big week this week against North Wagga (in Saturday's second semi-final), hopefully we can keep going.

"They'll come out pretty fresh and fired up. We need to weather the storm and play our style like we did on the weekend."

The Hawks stormed back into the premiership conversation with their comeback against Marrar on the opening day of finals, putting a couple of months of patchy form in the past.

Even Marrar coach Shane Lenon admitted 'you can't beat experience' in big games after seeing Gordon, captain Ben Absolum and ruckman Nick Hull direct their team out of trouble and into a winning position.

It added to the belief at EWK that started to build the week before when they came home strongly to beat Temora.

"We've learnt a heap there in the last three weeks, going back to The Rock. We only won by a goal but it was a team-lifting game as well, then coming back against Temora," Gordon said.

But there was something special about the win against the Bombers.

"Just the spirit and the fight we showed on the weekend, I haven't seen it like that for the last couple of years," he said.

Gordon was named as the Hawks' best again. He loved the efforts of Absolum and Hull to lift the team but also recognised teenage backman Hayden Nelson who again was given a big task - on Marrar forward Zach Walgers - and shone.

The 31-year-old said he's enjoying his fourth year at the Hawks and been happy with what he's brought to the team.

"I feel like I've been getting my hands on the footy a bit but also I've been trying to set the team up, going forward," he said.

"Personally, I've just tried to have a consistent year. I've tried to step up and lots of others have stepped up with some of the injuries we've had."

Gordon said he's enjoyed seeing teammates like ruckman Kyle North-Flanagan, midfielder Harry Fitzsimmons and full-back Trent Garner produce consistent seasons and particularly their efforts to stand up when the going has got tough.

"I feel like any of them could have won the best-and-fairest too," he said.

In the end, Gordon was a runaway winner, claiming the award with 54 votes from Garner (27 votes) and Absolum (25 votes), both of whom missed five games during the year.

"It is an honour. It was good to get one out there after being runner-up the last two years," he said.

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