Michael O’Malley has been presented with the inaugural Dean Bailey Award as the best development-listed player of 2014.

O’Malley headed an impressive field of young players eligible for the award, including Gene Robinson, Will Paynter, Matt Thompson and Tyson Davis-Neale.

The tall defender played nine games for the SANFL Crows this season on loan from the Mannum Football Club, of which O’Malley is also club captain.

Crows coaching staff were regularly impressed with the 23-year-old’s ruthlessness around the contest, with senior coach Brenton Sanderson in particular an admirer of O’Malley’s game.

Adelaide blooded 17 development players through the Club’s SANFL side this season, with the group playing a total of 77 games between them in Season 2014.

The award was coined in honour of the late Dean Bailey as a tribute to his passion for nurturing young footballers. Bailey sadly passed away in March after a battle with cancer.

The Dean Bailey Award was judged on performance, dedication to training and commitment to the team.

Coach Heath Younie said O’Malley was a worthy recipient of the new award.

“Michael’s been outstanding for us this year coming from the River Murray Football League,” Younie said.

“Mick is an enthusiastic and committed young man, and he’s continued to improve throughout the year.

“We trusted him with some big roles this season and to his credit, he stepped up extremely well.

“We’re proud of what he’s achieved and it’s fantastic to see him win the award tonight.”

While Adelaide’s SANFL season is over, O’Malley will look to finish 2014 with a RMFL premiership playing for local club Mannum.

O’Malley was named second-best in the side’s Elimination Final victory last weekend, and is set to lead his side out against the Mypolonga Tigers in Sunday’s knockout Semi Final.

Ironically, he could line up against fellow development-listed Crow Gene Robinson, who booted five goals and was named third-best for Mypolonga in the Tigers’ 10-point defeat last week.