The job of a tagger in AFL football isn’t the most glamorous and doesn’t necessarily attract the attention that other midfield roles do.

But it takes a special kind of player to apply himself to that role and shut down the opposition for the benefit of his team.

It was therefore a deserving reward for Andrew Raines to receive this year’s Marcus Ashcroft Most Professional Player award at the Brisbane Lions Club Champion dinner last Friday.

Raines played superbly in season 2012 on some of the competition’s best midfielders, including Gary Ablett, Scott Pendlebury, and Patrick Dangerfield.

While his dedication to his role on the field couldn’t be questioned, the Most Professional Player award particularly looks at a players’ professionalism off the field in terms of physical performance, attitude, work ethic and preparation during the week.

Raines said that it was an honour to accept the award named in honour of Lions great Marcus Ashcroft.

“’Choppers’ is a Gold Coast boy and someone I looked up to a great deal growing up as a Queenslander - he actually played with my old man in the early days at Carrara,” Raines said.

“To be named the Marcus Ashcroft Most Professional Player is a really big honour.”

Raines is widely regarded within the football club as someone who is meticulous with his physical preparation, and extremely detailed in the research he does on his opponents.

“I love being an AFL player and doing my bit for the team, so this award is something that I will hold very close to my heart,” he said.

“I love playing with the boys and I love playing for this fantastic football club.”

To see a full list of winners from the Club Champion dinner, click here.