Patrick Cripps claims third John Nicholls Medal as Carlton’s best and fairest
Everyone thought Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps was going to romp home to claim his third John Nicholls Medal, but the best and fairest voters had other ideas with Ed Curnow tagging his teammate all the way to the end.
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Patrick Cripps has won his third John Nicholls Medal after a surprisingly close Carlton best and fairest.
In one of the tightest counts in recent Blues history, Cripps polled 143 votes to edge out midfield colleague Ed Curnow (138) and defender Lachie Plowman (134).
The AFL MVP, All-Australian and Blues co-captain was trailing Curnow — who played every game — with five rounds remaining, but made his move late to secure back-to-back John Nicholls Medals after his first win in 2015.
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First-year sensation Sam Walsh was fourth after polling in more games than any other player, with the 19-year-old getting votes in all but one match.
Born-again swingman Levi Casboult underlined his worth to the Blues by finishing fifth after a season in which he thrived under new coach David Teague.
Casboult, who was made to sweat on a new contract, influenced games playing in defence, forward and in the ruck.
Cripps joins Carlton greats Craig Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, Chris Judd, Brett Ratten and John James as three-time best-and-fairest winners after only six seasons.
“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.
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“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.”
THE TOP 10
1 Patrick Cripps 143 votes
2 Ed Curnow 138
3 Lachie Plowman 134
4 Sam Walsh 125
5 Levi Casboult 116
6 Jacob Weitering 110
7 Liam Jones 95
8 Marc Murphy 88
9 Kade Simpson 87
10 Sam Petrevski-Seton 68