Ben De Bolfo wins best-on-ground medal in Heidelberg’s premiership triumph

Twelve months after watching from the sidelines after a knee reconstruction, Ben De Bolfo was helping lift Heidelberg to a premiership hat-trick.

Heidelberg players celebrate their premiership clean sweep. Picture: Field of View Photography

NFNL Division 1 grand final day last year, Ben De Bolfo was watching from the sidelines.

A knee reconstruction had wiped out his entire 2023.

Fast forward 12 months and he was the dominant player on the ground as Heidelberg claimed a third successive premiership.

A strong return with VFL club Box Hill flowed into a commanding finals series for the Tigers and a unanimous choice for the grand final medal as best-on-ground.

De Bolfo was impassable at times as Montmorency again and again ran into the No.55 roadblock.

His day best highlighted in the third quarter when, with the Magpies pressing, he produced a desperate goal-saving tackle before a towering intercept mark set up a Tom Keys goal minutes later that all but sealed victory.

Ben De Bolfo named the grand final medallist. Picture: Field of View Photography

The 22-year-old was rightly over the moon after the win.

“Very fun day,” De Bolfo said.

“The boys were awesome, I love playing for this club.

“When you’ve got Dano (Daniel O’Dwyer) and Marto (Sean Martin) and a few talls who can rotate it makes it very easy.

“It’s unbelievable and great for the club to win three today.”

O’Dwyer was equally as impressive across half-back, taking numerous intercept marks during the day, while also kicking a rare goal after a 50m penalty in the last quarter.

Dylan Clarke, Mitchell Jorgensen, skipper Keenan Posar, Coaches MVP Luke Bunker and Brody Tardio also stood out.

After playing the opening eight rounds for Box Hill, De Bolfo returned to Heidelberg colours and played 12 of the final 13 matches.

He was among the best in both the semi-final and grand final wins over Montmorency.

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Tigers coach Vinny Dattoli said the defender had been “phenomenal”.

“We’ve defended really well all year – it’s the backbone of our style – so we’re rapt,” Dattoli said.

“Benny was phenomenal, so was Dan O’Dwyer and all of them down there.

“It’s a phenomenal backline and our team defence is really encouraging.”