Fisher joined Saints captain Nick Riewoldt in the team but if the 26-year-old was distracted by his individual accolade, he did a good job of hiding it when facing the press on Tuesday.
“It was a great honour to receive that award last night. To be named alongside Nick and some superstar defenders, like (Matthew) Scarlett and (Luke) Hodge and those sort of blokes, was a great honour and we enjoyed it last night. It goes pretty quickly and you move back to work today,” he said.
Fisher narrowly missed selection last year after being named in the preliminary squad. His value to the St Kilda backline soared as the 2008 season went on, with a spate of injuries ending the season for some of his fellow defenders.
“Goose (Matt Maguire) is a great leader around the club. He and Stevie Baker and Seany Dempster are now missing from the backline but it probably allowed myself and a few of the other young guys to grow and take more responsibility in the backline,” Fisher said.
“Also being part of the leadership group this year I’ve learned a lot and still have a lot more to grow in the leadership role.”
The injuries have opened the door for young defenders Raphael Clarke and Sam Gilbert, both of whom played career-best games against Collingwood last week.
Fisher said he was proud the pair could stand up in the pressure of finals football.
“I thought Raph and Gilbo played quite well on the weekend. We go into every game focussing on playing your role for the team and they did that on the weekend,” he said.
“You do get a pleasure out of watching those guys perform and playing their role for the team.”
While Fisher, Clarke and Gilbert are all crucial components of the St Kilda backline, none of them are likely to get the biggest defensive job in football this week – matching up on Lance Franklin.
That heavy responsibility looks likely to go to senior Saint Max Hudghton.
“Maxy played on him last time and did a superb job. He kept him to three goals but you’d have to ask Ross (who will play on him this time),” Fisher said.
“A lot of the pressure helps up the field no matter who’s playing down in the forward line. If we can get pressure and intensity up the field that makes the ball come in easier for us.”
