Alwyn Davey

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• The Sunday Footy Wrap Rd17: NMFC v Ess
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LIGHTNING quick Essendon forward/midfielder Alwyn Davey says it was an "honour" to receive the inaugural AFL Army Award for his inspired round six efforts against Hawthorn.

Davey laid a diving smother against the Hawks and then followed it up with second and third efforts, which resulted in him receiving the 2007 AFL Army Award.

"It was pleasing to win the award. It's an honour to be the first player to win the Army Award," Davey told afl.com.au.

"I wasn't expecting to win it. I was up in Darwin when I got a call from the club and they thought I was a chance to win the award and [said I] needed to come back by Monday.

"I went back to see my family and did some fishing back in Darwin, so I was taking it easy."

A player was nominated for the award each round for inspired acts on the football field.

Of the six finalists this season, Davey was nominated on three separate occasions for his 'one-percenters' against St Kilda (round four), Hawthorn (round six) and Brisbane Lions (round eight).

Davey agreed his effort against the Hawks was his standout nomination.

"I probably thought my Hawthorn one was the best – I was a bit buggered after that," he said.

The award capped off a year of highs and lows for Davey, who dazzled with his electrifying skills in his debut season, although it soured when he broke his arm in round 14. This ended his season and he was "devastated" by the injury.

"I'd never thought I had broken my arm. I thought I got a 'corkie' to my forearm and I was just devastated watching Essendon play from the sidelines," Davey said.

"My arm is getting better. I'm still seeing a surgeon now and then to see how my arm's feeling, so hopefully I'll be right for the pre-season.

"I'll probably start pre-season a bit earlier, do some running and try and get my strength back, since I haven't done weights for 12 or 13 weeks."

In regards to life without Kevin Sheedy and James Hird at Essendon – Davey spent one season with them – the younger brother of Melbourne's Aaron said he would have liked to have spent more time with the legendary Bombers duo.

"'Sheeds' was pretty good to me this year. He helped me a lot, so it's pretty sad he's going because I was hoping he'd stay for another two or three years," Davey said.

"James Hird, too, is a good bloke. He and the senior players were great at helping me on the field and he'll be a big loss."

View his efforts and all the other nominations for the Army Award.