NOT much could console an athlete after his team missed out on the finals the way the Redbacks did this season, but captain Brendan Iles quickly had something to lift his spirits after winning his second Holman Medal.

The Redbacks midfielder became the first man to win the Holman Medal back-to-back since Lockyer Valley's Craig Jervies in 1997 and 1998 by polling 28 votes in the AFL Darling Downs best and fairest count in Toowoomba on Saturday night.

Highfields' Zac Chimes finished runner-up with 24 votes, after taking out the leading goal-kicker award, while Goondiwindi's Dave O'Toole was third on 23 votes.

Holman Medal night started as a sombre affair for the Warwick-based team, as the Redbacks missed out on a place in the top four on percentage by a mere handful of goals.

The night picked up as Iles continued to poll votes, and he went on to back up his joint win in 2009 with Coolaroo's Jeff Neumann.

“It was more of a surprise than anything. It was the last thing I was expecting going into the night,” Iles said.

“I had a few points and managed to take it out.

“It's a bit more of an honour to win it myself this year, although it was an honour to be up there with Jeff last year.

“I didn't think I was playing as good footy as last year.

“I was probably lacking a bit of speed this year as I was carrying a bit of weight, and I guess I just found myself in the right spots.”

Keith Clarke, of the Redbacks, received a volunteer award.