 He was the first player to win the award back to back since George Swarbrick in the 1950s, another Geelong footballer.Alan also played locally with Grovedale, St Albans, Barwon and Winchelsea; however Alan is held in high regard with the Bannockburn Tigers named as their Captain in the Team of the Century (Alan guided the Tigers to their first flag in over 50 years in 1990).Alan promised the club that he would return someday after he was picked up by the Cats (VFL/AFL).