Josh Chiavaroli: Gillies Medal winner will return home to South Gippsland

Here the collective sigh of relief from rival AFL clubs.

The talented Gunnedah midfielder - named the league's best and Gunnedah's best in 2020 - has revealed that he will return home to South Gippsland in January.

Work brought the 22-year-old to Gunnedah (he is an Elders cattle and livestock agent), and work will result in his departure after one memorable season at the Dogs.

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He arrived in Gunnedah not knowing anyone. He did not even know if the town had a football team.

After being the main cog revving the Bulldogs' engine en route to an undefeated premiership-winning season, he will be remembered as one of the most gifted players to grace AFL North West - a superb athlete who ran all day and provided lethal penetration out of the midfield.

Tamworth Swans defender Ben Jaffrey, a Leader sports journalist, recalled playing against Chiavaroli for the first time: "I thought, Jeez, this bloke's a good footballer."

Before the season started, Bulldogs president Hamish Russell said Chiavaroli "just glides across the field, and just everyone of his kicks lands on the tip - spot on".

"He just can play football," Russell also said.

Chiavaroli downplayed his exploits this season, and said "it was good to be playing with such a good bunch of blokes" and "have some real good success in a year like this year".

He added: "You can't have success from just one bloke: that comes from a full team of people all doing their piece."

Chiavaroli won the Frogmore Cup as the Bulldogs' best and fairest player at the club's presentation night on Saturday. He finished on 41 votes, with fellow Victorian Jaydon Stiles next best on 23 votes.

Chiavaroli will play for the Dalyston Football Club next season.

Alice Mitchell was named best and fairest for the Bulldogs women, who won the premiership in their debut season.

Life membership was awarded to Andrew George, Mark Ewington and Scott Hardy.