ON the night he was historically named joint captain of the Carlton Football Club, star midfielder Patrick Cripps has claimed his second John Nicholls Medal. 

Capping off a career-best season, the 23-year-old finished this evening’s best-and-fairest count as the clear winner on 166 votes, ahead of Kade Simpson on 108 votes and Blues brothers Ed and Charlie Curnow who tied in third place on 98 votes each.

At the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Cripps took home his second John Nicholls Medal after first receiving the honour in 2015 as the second youngest winner in Carlton history. 

A shining light for the Blues this season, the midfield bull led the side for average disposals (29.6), tackles (6.3), inside 50s (3.9), contested possessions (17.6) and clearances (7.7).

Quickly stamping himself as one of the premier midfielders across the competition, Cripps earned his first All-Australian selection, placed second in both the AFLPA and AFLCA Awards and broke the contested possessions record for a home-and-away season.

Captaining the side for eight games this season with the on-field absence of Marc Murphy, the star midfielder’s ability to stand up under pressure was on show a number of times throughout the year, with arguably his best performance against the West Coast Eagles in Round 5. In his attempt to will his side over the line in the close contest, his 34 disposals (19 contested), 11 tackles and eight clearances were enough to warrant a perfect 10-vote performance in the AFL Coaches award. 

The West Australian, who re-signed with the Blues this season until at least the end of 2021, also took home the Carltonians William Cook Trophy and the Bill Lanyon Inner Blues Ruthless Award this evening. 

In the year he notched up his 300-game milestone in Round 15 against Port Adelaide, humble veteran Kade Simpson placed runner-up to Cripps, notching 108 votes for the evening. 

The 34-year-old, who will play on into his 17th AFL season in 2019, finished the home-and-away season averaging 26 disposals, 18 kicks (fourth overall in the competition), five rebound 50s (seventh overall in the competition), six marks and six intercept possessions.

And it was a family affair for the Curnow brothers, who tied in third place on 98 points each. The ever-reliable Ed averaged 25.4 disposals and 6.6 tackles this season, and placed second at the Club overall for contested possessions and clearances behind Cripps. 

Charlie arguably had his breakout year in the AFL, booting 34 goals while building on his highlights reel, taking a number of screamers up forward for the Blues this season. 

Rounding out this evening’s top-10 place-getters in the vote count was Dale Thomas (71) in fifth place, Liam Jones (48) in sixth, Zac Fisher (47) a close seventh, followed by Sam Rowe (43), Matthew Wright (39) in ninth place and Marc Murphy on 39 votes. 

Making an immediate impact in his first year at the Carlton Football Club, veteran ruckman Matthew Lobbe received the Best Clubman Award as voted by the coaches, recognising his significant contribution made to the team, particularly with his role in the playing group. 

The 29-year-old, who played 92 games for Port Adelaide until 2017, also took home the Spirit of Carlton Award as the player who best encompasses the spirit of the Carlton Football Club both on and off the field. 

Young gun Paddy Dow was also recognised for his stellar first season in the navy blue, being awarded the Best First Year Player. 

JOHN NICHOLLS MEDAL LEADERBOARD

1st - Patrick Cripps (166 votes)

2nd - Kade Simpson (108 votes)

3rd - Ed Curnow, Charlie Curnow (98 votes)

5th - Dale Thomas (71 votes)

6th - Liam Jones (48 votes)

7th - Zac Fisher (47 votes)

8th - Sam Rowe (43 votes)

9th - Matthew Wright (39 votes)

10th - Marc Murphy (39 votes)