Brayden Maynard in emotional admission after huge Collingwood development

Brayden Maynard has finished an incredible, and some what turbulent, season having been recognised by his teammates at Collingwood's end of year celebration before delivering an emotional message to his partner. Maynard, Nick Dacios and Josh Daicos were all in the running for the best and fairest for Collingwood's premiership winning season.

Brothers Nick and Josh were battling it out all night as it came down to the wire for the All-Australian pair. Many thought Nick would take out the award, but his knee fracture in round 21 cost him with Josh Daicos wining with 301 votes.

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Nick ended up tied second with Maynard on 287 votes. However, Maynard didn't go home empty handed. Maynard won the best clubman award - Darren Millane Memorial award - voted by his peers.

This marks the second year in a row Maynard has been granted the honour. Maynard endured a tough ending to the AFL finals due to the controversial incident with Angus Brayshaw. The incident was once again thrust back into the spotlight, after the Collingwood vice-captain made the most of his reprieve in the AFL grand final.

But for many, the sight of Maynard celebrating with his premiership medal and the grand final cup left a sour taste in the mouth. Maynard knocked out Brayshaw in Collingwood's win over Melbourne in the first week of the finals and was referred directly to the AFL tribunal.

He was facing a season-ending three-game ban for his high bump on Brayshaw, which left the Demons player unconscious on the MCG turf. However, Maynard escaped a ban and was free to play in the final.

And a few weeks later, Maynard has won the clubman award and the RT Rush award for finishing second in the best and fairest. Maynard delivered a classy speech, which saw him thank his wife after admitting there had been some 'low' periods throughout his career.

"Now to Ashlee," Maynard said of his partner. "Thank you very much for being by my side for the last nine years. You have always been there for me. The highs and the lows and I can tell you there have been a lot of lows. You have always been there for me." Maynard became teary throughout the speech as he thanked his parents and teammates for the season.

Speaking ahead of the grand final, Maynard lifted the lid on the stress of his tribunal hearing and the mixed emotions he went through. Brayshaw wasn't able to play in the second week of the finals, and there are fears his latest bout on concussion could be career-ending.

"It was pretty crazy, my mind was completely on what had been happening. Luckily, we had the week off - that helped a lot," Maynard told AAP.

"But that whole week was really, really challenging. It was probably the only thing I thought about. I tried to stay off social media, which I was really good at. I stayed off the news, but just thinking about the 'what-ifs', if I do miss a prelim, if I do potentially miss a grand final.

"That really was hurting me deep and I didn't know what to think, to handle it. I had a lot of conversations with (sports psychologist) Jacqui (Louder) and she helped me a lot."

Josh Daicos finishes superb season with award

However, all eyes were on Josh Daicos having finished sensational year with the the lucrative best and fairest award in a premiership winning season. Fans were thrilled for the All-Australian after the award.

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