Byrne baby Byrne

And on Wednesday, September 30, Hugh soaked up some extra limelight.

He was awarded VFL Best Clubman at North Melbourne’s Syd Barker Club Champion Dinner.

Byrne split his time between North and Echuca this year, playing more games for the Kangaroos than the Murray Bombers.

Not a bad feat for the player still in his early 20s who only made his VFL debut in March.

Hugh kicked two goals and made the best twice in 12 games for North.

During the weeks he was back home, Byrne was a goal-kicking machine for Echuca, with 19 in nine games.