BEN Sawford has been awarded the Academy best and fairest medal for an excellent season in the club's reserves-grade side.

Sawford is a former SANFL Star Search nominee and South Australian Under-18 player who was one of 15 players contracted for eligibility to play in Port Adelaide's League side in 2014.

Sawford polled in 13 of the 14 matches he played for the Academy side, with votes awarded by each of the club's coaching panel on a 0-5 basis throughout the season.

He also played three League matches for the club's senior side.

"I realised how good you have to be to make it, and this year I got to see the professionalism required to make it at the highest levels of the game.

"We're so lucky to be exposed to that here at Port Adelaide.

"There's still massive areas of my game to improve on, and I'd love to be in Buddha's team playing next to those blokes, and I'll be working hard to give it my best next year."

Sawford polled 23 votes ahead of second-placed Zac Hawkins - another senior contracted player - and Tom Gray who finished in third place with 68 votes.

Ciara Hollingworth-Hughes was awarded the Academy's Coaches Trophy for his performance during the year, while a number of other 'homeland' players including Declan Hamilton (best first year player), Jack Cooper (most dedicated), Sid Masters (most improved) and Will Northeast (best team man) also took home awards.

Former Camperdown forward Sam Gordon led the goal kicking with 26 majors, while Danny Butcher was awarded the club's award for most courageous.

Academy best and fairest - top ten
Best and Fairest: Ben Sawford - 94 votes
2. Zac Hawkins - 71
3. Tom Gray - 68
4. Sam Gordon - 60
5. Danny Butcher - 59
6. Ciaran Hollingworth-Hughes, Jonathon Ross - 58
8. Will Northeast - 57
9. Sean Davidson, Aseri Raikiwasa - 55

Academy award winners
Best and Fairest: Ben Sawford
Best and Fairest - second place: Zac Hawkins
Best and Fairest - third place: Tom Gray
Academy Coaches Trophy: Ciaran Hollingworth-Hughes
Academy Best First Year Player: Declan Hamilton
Academy Leading Goal kicker: Sam Gordon
Academy Most Dedicated: Jack Cooper
Academy Most Improved: Sidney Masters
Academy Best Team Man: William Northeast
Academy Most Courageous: Danny Butcher