Heath Scotland claims John Nicholls Medal as Blues' best and fairest

HEATH Scotland has won his first best-and-fairest, taking home Carlton's John Nicholls Medal.

Heath Scotland

HEATH Scotland has won his first best-and-fairest, taking home Carlton's John Nicholls Medal.

The veteran defender polled 362 votes last night, overtaking goalsneak Eddie Betts (353) in the last game of the season.

Chris Judd (334) was third despite missing five games, while reborn onballer Brock McLean was rewarded for his best season in navy blue with fourth place and 321 votes.

Pictures:  Carlton's best and fairest

In what was a tight and tense count, Scotland's consistency won out in a difficult year for the club.

The 32-year-old was the Blues' leading possession winner with 553 disposals at an average of 26 a game.

He polled votes in 16 matches.

Scotland, who will link up with his former coach Mick Malthouse next year, has played 191 games for the Blues since crossing from Collingwood in 2003.

Having played 53 games for the Magpies, he is set to play his 250th match early next season.

His best-and-fairest win comes after a second placing in 2007, third in 2006 and fourth last year.

In other awards, promising youngster Tom Bell, who was promoted from the rookie list, was judged best first-year player, while speedster Dennis Armfield won best clubman and the spirit of Carlton award.

Under the Carlton best-and-fairest voting system, five members of the match committee independently submit their votes after each game. Each may give votes to a maximum of eight players and the maximum number of votes a player may receive is 10.

John Nicholls Medal

TOP 10

1 Heath Scotland 362

2 Eddie Betts 353

3 Chris Judd 334

4 Brock McLean 321

5 Marc Murphy 299

6 Andrew Carrazzo 287

7 Kade Simpson 229

8 Bryce Gibbs 228

9 Mitch Robinson 205

10 Matthew Kreuzer 163