Palmerston Crocs young star Nathan Dixon becomes one of the youngest ever winners of the Eric Johnston

PALMERSTON Crocs young gun Nathan Dixon was left speechless after becoming one of the youngest ever winners of the prestigious Eric Johnston Medal in his debut A-grade season.

Palmerston young gun Nathan Dixon left his mark on the 2020-21 season, winning the Eric Johnston Medal. Photograph: Che Chorley

PALMERSTON Crocs young gun Nathan Dixon was left speechless after becoming one of the youngest ever winners of the prestigious Eric Johnston Medal in his debut A-grade season.

The former Mackillop College student and Swampdogs junior had a massive 2020-21 season for the Crocs in which he made the starting No.10 jersey his own.

The 17-year-old emerged victorious on the medal count, hitting the lead after nine rounds and holding off a challenge from Darwin Dragons’ three-time winner Hirini Murfitt.

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Known for attacking flair, speed off the mark and kicking ability, Dixon helped form his fifth-placed Palmerston outfit into a credible threat through the wet-season competition.

“I was speechless. I was pretty shocked to have won it being a junior player in my first season,” Dixon told the NT News.

“It’s unreal to have won. People try earn that award through years of playing and for me to win it in my debut season was pretty special.

“I surprised myself in how I played this season stepping up to take that starting 10 jersey.

“My coach (Aaron Hawthorne) always believed in me and I’ve enjoyed playing around the senior players at the club, as well as my mates Ben Drayton and Riley Reid.

Coach Aaron Hawthorne with 2020-21 Eric Johnston winner Nathan Dixon. Picture: Supplied

“I just want to maintain this level and intensity through the next couple of years with this award and the B-grade in finals hopefully seeing a shift in momentum for our A-grade.”

After spending a year out of the game to build up his strength, coach Aaron Hawthorne encouraged the young fly-half to make his return.

Originally set to play B-grade for five games, the Eric Johnston winner made a huge impression in the season opener, proving himself ready for the top-flight competition.

From there he grew in confidence in both his natural attacking abilities and defence to become one of the leaders around the squad.

“I was really proud to see him win, particularly as a 17-year-old who took last year off from playing the game,” Hawthorne said.

“He’s improved a huge amount particularly in confidence, stepping up to be the team’s goal kicker and also coming a long way defensively.

“Though it’s his attack which stands out and even there he learned to back himself more, taking the ball into contact and making two or three line breaks each game.

“He can do whatever he wants. At the moment he’s happy finding his grove but he performed better than he or I expected and the future is bright for him.

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“If he hangs around he will 100 per cent be a part of the future of the club. He’s already a big part of the side with guys looking to him to make decisions, which says a lot about his character.”