South Fremantle midfielder Jake Florenca claimed the coveted Sandover Medal as the West Australian Football League's best-and-fairest on Monday night.

The 29-year-old won the award four votes clear of second-placed Peel Thunder's Jeremy Sharp, who was the favourite heading into the league's night of nights.

Florenca is the first Bulldog to claim the award since Haiden Schloithe in 2017.

The 184cm midfielder averaged 26.1 disposals and 5.5 tackles per game.

The Bulldogs finished fourth on the ladder after the home-and-away season before losing to East Perth in the first week of finals.

South Fremantle's trusty on-baller was one of six top-up players to be called upon by West Coast's AFL side during the pandemic in 2022.

Florenca performed well in his one game at the grade. He registered 19 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances against Brisbane in Round 8.

The other five top-up players consisted of former Eagle Brayden Ainsworth, West Perth veteran Aaron Black, Subiaco defender Angus Dewar, former Fremantle forward Stefan Giro and Claremont's Declan Mountford.

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FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Jake Florenca of the Bulldogs in action during the round one WAFL match between the South Fremantle Bulldogs and East Fremantle Sharks at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on July 18, 2020 in Fremantle, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Peel Thunder's Lachie Tardrew came equal-third in the count. The former Collingwood VFL captain finished one vote behind teammate Sharp.

Perth star, former Geelong and Gold Coast player and reigning Sandover Medallist Charlie Constable and Subiaco's Giro tied with Tardrew in third.

Florenca is the 12th South Fremantle player to win the Sandover Medal and follows in the footsteps of famous names such as Stephen Michael and John Todd.

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