Co-captain Patrick Cripps has made John Nicholls Medal history, becoming the Club’s youngest three-time best-and-fairest winner after an outstanding 2019 season.

The vote count went down to the wire in front of more than 1,300 people at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, as Cripps (143 votes) narrowly edged out runner-up Ed Curnow (138 votes) and third-placed Lachie Plowman (134 votes).

In one of the closest vote counts in recent times, Curnow was leading with just five rounds to go before Cripps made his move to achieve back-to-back John Nicholls Medals to go with his first win in 2015. 

Cripps flourished in his first season as co-captain, and now joins Carlton greats Craig Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, Chris Judd, Brett Ratten and John James as three-time winners of the John Nicholls Medal. The award’s namesake holds the record with five, while Cripps now sits just one behind four-time winner Bruce Doull.

At 24 years of age, Cripps surpassed Nicholls (26) as the youngest Blue to be named as Carlton’s best and fairest on three different occasions.

The midfield bull averaged 28 disposals, 17 contested possessions, nine clearances and six tackles per game, while also kicking 13 goals this season. 

The No.9 imposed himself as one of the premier players in the competition in season 2019, earning his second successive All-Australian selection, while also being voted by his peers as the AFLPA MVP for the first time.

Cripps consistently showed the ability to stand up when the game was on the line, with arguably his best performance coming against the Brisbane Lions in Round 12. With his side trailing by 37 points midway through the second term, Cripps willed Carlton over the line with 38 disposals and four goals in a memorable 15-point victory. 

He also received the Carltonians Award as well as the Bill Lanyon Inner Blue Ruthless Award on Carlton’s night of nights. 

The ever-reliable Curnow finished just five votes behind Cripps as he relished a move back into the midfield at the halfway point of the season, averaging 23 disposals, five tackles and five clearances. Curnow also received the Best Clubman Award in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to the entire football club both on and off the field this year.

Plowman enjoyed a career-best season at the Blues, placing third in the vote count as he ranked elite across the competition for intercept marks, one percenters and spoils. The defender showed off his versatility, shutting down both key position and small forwards from the opposition throughout 2019.

Carlton Senior Coach David Teague said the Club was thrilled to see Cripps take his game to a new level this season. 

“‘Crippa’ is exceptional, to have won three John Nicholls Medals at just 24 is amazing — he now puts himself alongside some of the Club’s best and he thoroughly deserves that,” Teague said.

“He is just such a competitor who works tirelessly to get his job done week in and week out, he sets the standards for our group and works to get the best out of not only himself but the whole group. It’s exciting for us to think that he has only just played 100 games and we think his best footy is still ahead of him. 

“It’s great to see Ed rewarded for another consistent year and to see him go so close to winning the medal, he is a real asset to our club not only as a player but as a person.

“Lachie had a breakout year at AFL level and really showed off his ability to intercept the ball, he is an integral part of our defensive group. To finish third in the vote count is a fantastic reward for him.” 

Sam Walsh polled votes in more games than any other Blue, with the 19-year-old receiving votes in 21 out of a possible 22 games. His fourth-placed finish capped off an incredible debut season for the 2019 NAB AFL Rising Star.

Rounding out John Nicholls top-10 vote-getters were Levi Casboult (116) in fifth and Jacob Weitering (110) in sixth, followed by Liam Jones (95), Marc Murphy (88), Kade Simpson (87) and Sam Petrevski-Seton (68).  

Weitering took out the Spirit of Carlton Award, given to the player who best encompasses the spirit of the Club both on and off the field, while Casboult received the Coaches Award for his efforts up forward, in defence and in the ruck.

 

John Nicholls Medal leaderboard

  1. Patrick Cripps (143 votes)
  2. Ed Curnow (138 votes)
  3. Lachie Plowman (134 votes)
  4. Sam Walsh (125 votes)
  5. Levi Casboult (116 votes)
  6. Jacob Weitering (110 votes)
  7. Liam Jones (95 votes)
  8. Marc Murphy (88 votes)
  9. Kade Simpson (87 votes)
  10. Sam Petrevski-Seton (68 votes) 

2019 John Nicholls Medal – Patrick Cripps


Best Clubman Award – Ed Curnow

Coaches Award – Levi Casboult

Spirit of Carlton Award – Jacob Weitering

Virgin Australia Best First Year Player – Sam Walsh

Carltonians Award – Patrick Cripps

Bill Lanyon Inner Blue Ruthless Award – Patrick Cripps