The 2015 Laurie Hill Trophy takes place tomorrow night from the Mantra Bell City Ballroom to celebrate the Northern Blues' best and fairest player in 2015.

In what was a difficult season for the Northern Blues, having finished in 14th spot, who are the top contenders to take away ‘Laurie’?

Brad Walsh
Arguably the favourite to come away with the award, Walsh has been one of the ever-presents and most consistent for the Blues in an otherwise inconsistent year. Not dropping below 18 disposals for the year at VFL level, the West Australian played 16 games for Northern this season and featured in the coaches’ best players on 11 occasions.

Standout games: Walsh will be looking to poll big in the two North Ballarat losses in Rounds 6 and 16, where he was one of few Blues contributors in otherwise disappointing results. Consistency in performance is what will need to be rewarded and come to the fore for Walsh to emerge victorious.

Brad Walsh has been one of the Northern Blues' most consistent performers in 2015. (Photo: Jason Heidrich)

Tom Wilson
Last year’s winner of the Laurie Hill Trophy, Wilson played the most games for Northern this season and was again ever-reliable in a difficult team campaign. As the club’s leading goalkicker in 2013 before being the runaway leader as the best and fairest in 2014, Wilson’s consistency in effort and early season form may see him go back-to-back.

Standout games: Wilson was at the heart of an ultimately unfruitful third quarter surge against Port Melbourne in Round 2, while his back-end to the season as others around him fell away was admirable. His two-goal game against North Ballarat in Round 5 as well as his 21 disposals against Werribee could see him poll.

Blaine Johnson
Already due to be officially recognised as the club’s equal-leading goalscorer alongside Matthew Watson, Johnson’s reliability up forward should see him number in a fair portion of his 15 VFL games. The second-year Carlton rookie failed to kick a goal in just two matches this season, in doing so leading the club’s goalkicking for the second-straight season.

Standout games: Johnson’s biggest haul of the year came in Round 11 in the record-breaking win over Frankston, where along with Liam Jones he slotted six majors in the 157-point win at Etihad Stadium. The Rounds 3 and 18 games against Sandringham could also produce votes for Johnson, who kicked six goals combined in the two games against the Zebras.

Carlton rookie Blaine Johnson in action for the Northern Blues. (Photo: Amy Paton)

Brent Bransgrove
The Northern Blues skipper was having one of his best seasons to date before he was cruelled by injury early against the Casey Scorpions. Nevertheless, Bransgrove’s tenacity at the coalface and never-say-die attitude when the chips were down should see the captain poll in the Blues’ loss this season.

Standout games: Bransgrove’s game in the narrow loss to Richmond in Round 13 (his final full game of the season) will see him poll, as will the wins against Werribee and Frankston in successive weeks. Bransgrove also polled two votes in the Round 4 victory over the Dolphins, with Frankston’s Ben Cavarra taking all three.

Nick Graham
As inconceivable as it seems given he played just five games in the season, the Carlton youngster could still find himself right up there on the night given just how explosive he was in his opening month. After being Northern’s highest vote-getter in the J. J. Liston Trophy on Monday night, Graham’s blistering start to the season may yet have him feature in the business end of the count.

Standout games: Any of the opening six rounds of the season were standouts for Graham, none more so than his 22-disposal, three goal heroics in the narrow victory over Sandringham. His performance three weeks later in the loss to Essendon also saw him net two votes in the Liston Trophy.

Nick Graham starred for the Northern Blues before featuring in Carlton's line-up. (Photo: Amy Paton)

Kieran McGuinness
Similar to Graham, McGuinness will be hoping his early season form will do the talking come the counting of votes tomorrow night. McGuinness is a certainty to poll early in the season, where - along with Tom Fields - he formed a resolute defence for Northern which held out in some narrow victories. However, after injuring his shoulder and not playing after Round 13, the veteran will have his work cut out for him if he is to win after his first season at the Blues.

Standout games: Known just as much for his soaring grab against Sandringham more than anything else, McGuinness’ performance against the Zebras - particularly late in the game - should see him poll well. Solid games against Williamstown and Frankston should also see him register votes on the night.