The former Young High School student was shocked when he received the call from Under 18 Saints coach Ray Martin to inform him he had won the Under 18s Best and Fairest Award for the Central West at the Central West AFL grand final and presentation at Orange recently.

Pope was in the company of the best AFL players in the Central West when he was presented the award by Central West AFL deligate Tony Lewis. 

What makes this achievement even more momentous is that Pope is the first Under 18s Saint to ever win the award. 

Furthermore, the last Young Saints players to receive the award in any grade was Mark Buchanan in 1985, and Damien Minehan in 1986, both in First Grade.

The award comes just three short years after Pope began playing for the Saints, during which time he has improved so much that he captained the Under 18s throughout the 2014 season.

“He played very very good football with a group of very very good footballers. It’s brought out his qualities,” coach Martin said.

“He’s a ruckman and our team has played with the average number of 12 players a game. Normally there’s 18 on the field. 

“We made the finals due to a lot of Popie’s individual effort.”

“And a great coach,” Pope added.

Despite the Under 18s being Pope’s main focus this year he also stepped up to play First Grade when needed. 

Martin described Pope as an outstanding player, a team leader, and a club man. 

“It’s the first stepping stone in his career, not just football,” Martin said.

“He’s going in the army in five weeks’ time, it’s a stepping stone in his career and has helped his confidence and will benefit him in the future. No doubt about that. 

“Self confidence is very important.”

Pope will now prepare to head off to Kapooka, near Wagga where he will spend the next three months training.

He intends on returning to the field during his duties with the army.

In the meantime Martin will step up to the coaching block once again for the Under 18s and hopes for a bigger and better season in 2015.

“This year our average age was 15.5 years in our team and we got into the finals, so next year looks promising,” he said.

“Football is part of your life and will stay in your life forever. It’s an adventure, you don’t have to be locked into the one family. 

“We’ll never lose Jarrod, he’ll be around, he’ll visit and bring his boots on weekends when he comes.”

Pope wishes to extend a big thank you to Ray Martin, Ian Close, Geoff Harmer, Brent Blythe and his team mates who have helped him come a long way in the last three years.