The victory means that Judd has taken out the coveted Medal in each of his three seasons with the Club. He polled 473 votes, with Jordan Russell second on 354 and Marc Murphy third on 343, in the count held before 1500 guests at Crown Palladium.
Despite being unavailable for the first three matches of the season, Judd led the count after the next four rounds. His winning of the prestigious Medal adds to the long list of playing honours Judd has achieved since making his AFL debut in 2002. The dual Brownlow Medallist (2004 & 2010), has now won a total of five Club Bests and Fairest Awards and the 2005 Norm Smith Medal, on top of the AFLPA Most Valuable Player Award in 2006.
Runner-up Jordan Russell represented the Club in all 23 senior matches for the season in what was his best year to date. He amassed a career-high 463 disposals and took 137 marks, the second most by a Carlton player for the season. Russell finished sixth in the John Nicholls Medal in 2009 following an excellent last half of the season, and he continued that good form in 2010.
Marc Murphy, who has finished second in the Award for the past two seasons, managed 22 senior appearances this season and stormed home to finish third, polling 149 of his 343 votes in the final five games. Murphy, it should be remembered, underwent hip surgery in January, which restricted him to one pre-season match and contributed to his relatively slow start to the season.
John Nicholls, Carlton Legend, official AFL Legend, and winner of the Carlton Best & Fairest Award a record five times, presented the Medal named in his honour to Chris Judd following the counting of votes.
Under the John Nicholls Medal voting system, five members of the Carlton Match Committee independently submit their votes after each round. Each may give votes to a maximum of eight players. The maximum votes a player may receive is ten (maximum of 50 votes per game).
Other Award winners announced prior to the counting of votes in the John Nicholls Medal are as follows;
Best First Year Player - Kane Lucas
This is awarded to the player who has made the most significant contribution to his team in his AFL debut season.
presented by Carlton Senior Coach Brett Ratten
Best Clubman - Michael Jamison
This award recognizes a player’s role within the club both on and off the field.
presented by Carlton Senior Coach Brett Ratten
Spirit of Carlton Encouragement Award - Jeff Garlett
Jeff has played 30 games with Carlton, including 20 in 2010. He finished sixth in the 2010 NAB Rising Star award and finished 7th in this year’s John Nicholls Medal.
presented by 1970 & 1972 Carlton premiership player Syd Jackson
Women of Carlton - Player Ambassador of the Year Award - Aaron Joseph
The award goes to the player who has a consistent record of excellence, who has been outstanding in his achievements both on and off the field and contributes in a significant way to the wider community
presented by Anne Ali
The Carltonians Achievement Award - Kade Simpson
This award is in recognition of an outstanding season for the Carlton Football Club.
presented by Vince Loccisano, President of the Carltonians
The Top Ten in the 2010 John Nicholls Medal:
1st: Chris Judd 473
2nd: Jordan Russell 354
3rd: Marc Murphy 343
4th: Bryce Gibbs 322
5th: Andrew Carrazzo 310
6th: Kade Simpson 300
7th: Jeffery Garlett 279
8th: Heath Scotland 243
9th: Eddie Betts 217
10th: Aaron Joseph 197
The Top Ten in the 2009 John Nicholls Medal:
1st: Chris Judd 558
2nd: Marc Murphy 451
3rd: Bryce Gibbs 415
4th: Brendan Fevola 390
5th: Matthew Kreuzer 311
6th: Jordan Russell 281
7th: Paul Bower 279
8th: Kade Simpson 254
9th: Bret Thornton 225
10th: Aaron Joseph 201
