The West Coast Eagles tonight ensured that John Worsfold would be inexorably linked to the club when it announced the annual Club Champion would be awarded the John Worsfold Medal.

And the first winner was popular midfielder Matt Priddis.

For 24 of the club’s 27 years, Worsfold has been ubiquitous. The most identifiable figure within the organisation.

Ironically, when he resigned as senior coach at the end of the disappointing 2013 season, the time was right to align his name to the West Coast Eagles in perpetuity. So the craftsmen at Rosendorff Jewellers designed a medal which will be draped around the neck of the Eagles best player every year hence forth.

Priddis, the man to achieve that inaugural distinction, thoroughly deserve the honour.

Like his coach, Priddis is a pillar of this football club. He represents everything that is good about this great game.

Ignored by recruiters for a couple of years because of one perceived deficiency – a lack of explosive speed – he had to earn his opportunity the hard way. Priddis lived by a maxim to simply be the best he could.

Regardless of the level of football he played, he would dredge every gram of ability from within.

He didn’t know where that would take him. It just so happens it has propelled him to the top. A life member and the first John Worsfold medallist.

The medal was designed first on the sketch pad by one of the skilled designers at Rosendorff. Then the design was taken to the computer and refined in 3D, before being cast in 14ct gold.

Jewellers then put the finishing touches to the piece by hand.

It is a stunning medal that will be keenly sought by the West Coast Eagles’ finest players.