Patty Ambrose has capped off a sensational year by winning the Club’s ‘Most Improved’ player award at the 2016 Crichton Medal.

Initially recruited to the club through the 2014 rookie draft, Ambrose spent his first few seasons at the Bombers playing as a forward. 

Although he showed some potential, his best form came in 2016 when coach Mark Harvey poached the athletic player for the backline.

Here, Ambrose’s elite fitness, competitive nature and immense courage were able to flourish. 

The 24-year old has quickly adapted to the new position, ranking in the top 10 in the AFL for goals against during the 2016 season. 

Ambrose only conceded 19 goals from his 18 games in defence, putting him in the same class as other established defenders such as Sydney’s Heath Grundy, Geelong’s Tom Lonergan and All-Australian/North Melbourne’s Robbie Tarrant. 

Coach John Worsfold spoke highly of the defender, believing that he would play an important part of the team’s future. 

"When I arrived at the club, Patty was renowned as a tough, hard-running forward. However his natural athleticism, inner hunger to compete and selfless nature has seen him slot in seamlessly into our backline," he said earlier this year.

"Patty's a powerful and competitive beast, he's got a huge engine which has seen him opposing some of the competition's most dangerous forwards, including Jack Riewoldt, Matthew Pavlich and Jeremy Cameron.

"Patty is a heart and soul player who works hard to get everything out of himself. We're really excited about where we are heading as a club and to have Patty part of this journey next year is fantastic."