Young defender Sam Docherty has taken home the inaugural Two Tones Player of the Year award. 

With the final votes counted on Saturday afternoon, Tony Moclair and Tony De Bolfo – the duo that is The Two Tones – announced the winner on Tuesday’s show.

It was a close race with only three votes separating the top-three players. 

‘Doc’ won the award with 20 votes, with midfielder Patrick Cripps runner-up on 19 votes and vice-captain Kade Simpson notching up 18.

The 22-year-old, who was also this week named in the All-Australian 40-man squad, joined the Tones in the Carlton Media Studio and said he was “honoured” to win the award.

After being named in the leadership group at the start of the year, Docherty has had a breakout season.

He finished the home-and-away season ranked third in the AFL for rebound 50s, behind Giant Heath Shaw and Swan Dane Rampe, and has taken the most marks for the Blues this year, averaging 7.86 per game. 

The young defender puts his growth and development down to a number of factors, but has stuck by a simple philosophy this season. 

“It’s just about being the best player I can be,” Docherty said.

“When I first got into the AFL system, people always said to me ‘don’t waste a minute because it will be gone like that’. I’ve just finished my fifth year and it feels like I only started the other day, so I’m already getting a taste of that feeling.

“That’s probably the mantra I’ve taken on board this year - don’t waste a game.” 

Listen below to Sam’s interview on the final episode of The Two Tones!