ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Riley Bonner and Zak Butters of the Power celebrate a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 12 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Hawthorn Hawks at Adelaide Oval on June 3, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
With the off-season rolling through for clubs as their 2023 campaigns come to a close, best and fairest counts will begin to take place.
Across the course of the coming months, all 18 clubs are set to host their very own night of nights to celebrate the season that was and recognise their best player of 2023, among other awards.
Below is each AFL club's best and fairest winner, top vote-getters, and other award winners as they're announced.
Crows captain Jordan Dawson claimed his maiden Malcolm Blight Medal following a career-best campaign in 2023.
Dawson would finish ahead of three-time winner Rory Laird and veteran sharpshooter Taylor Walker in the voting to add to his All-Australian selection.
Dawson, Walker, Reilly O'Brien, Max Michalanney, Jackson Hately and Andrew McPherson would also be winners among other awards at Adelaide's night of nights.
Top Ten:
Other Awards:
Players' Trademark Award - Jordan Dawson
Dr. Brain Sando OAM Trophy - Andrew McPherson
Phil Walsh Best Team Man - Reilly O'Brien
Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award - Max Michalanney
SANFL Club Champion - Jackson Hately
Members' MVP Award - Taylor Walker
Leading Goalkicker Award - Taylor Walker
Crows Foundation Community Award - Reilly O'Brien
Brisbane's best and fairest award has seen a somewhat surprising victor, with co-captain key defender Harris Andrews claiming the honour on Wednesday evening.
Andrews (62 votes), who showcased his intercepting prowess throughout the 2023 season, beat out 2023 Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale (61), who polled second by a solitary vote.
Crafty midfielder-forward Hugh McCluggage (59) earned third-placed plaudits, as well as tied with rebounding defender Keidean Coleman for the Lions' 2023 Finals Player Award.
Amongst the other awards handed out on Wednesday evening, Will Ashcroft took home Brisbane's Rookie of the Year honour, while ex-Bulldog recruit Josh Dunkley (56 votes) claimed a pair of honours in addition to finishing fourth in the Merrett-Murray count after a strong maiden season at the Queensland club.
Merrett-Murray Medal – Top 10:
Other awards:
Most Professional Player: Lincoln McCarthy.
Rookie of the Year: Will Ashcroft.
Trademark Player of the Year: Josh Dunkley.
Players' Player Award: Josh Dunkley.
Game Changer Award: Keidean Coleman.
Reserves Best and Fairest: Jarryd Lyons.
Life Membership: Darcy Gardiner.
Blues defender Jacob Weitering won his second John Nicholls Medal, with fellow backman Nic Newman finishing in second place.
Weitering polled 210 best and fairest votes for 2023 - 17 more than Newman and 36 ahead of third-place runner and Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow.
Midfield pair Adam Cerra and Patrick Cripps would round out the top five, while sixth-placed Blake Acres was recognised with the Coaches Award in his first year with the club.
Other award winners included Sam Walsh (Best Finals Player), Curnow (Players' Award) and Ollie Hollands (Best Young Player).
Top Ten:
1. Jacob Weitering – 210 votes
2. Nic Newman – 193
3. Charlie Curnow – 174
4. Adam Cerra – 167
5. Patrick Cripps – 158
6. Blake Acres – 153
7. Sam Docherty – 152
8. Adam Saad – 149
9. Sam Walsh – 143
10. Mitch McGovern – 108
Other Awards
Best Finals Player - Sam Walsh
Players' Award - Curnow
Best Young Player - Ollie Hollands
Despite a stellar season by his younger brother, Collingwood winger Josh Daicos has claimed best and fairest honours in a premiership year, winning the 2023 Copeland Trophy on Friday night.
Having featured in all of the Pies' 27 games throughout the year, Daicos took out the gong with 301 votes, adding his first club championship to his debut All-Australian blazer earned last month.
Nipping at Josh's heels were brother Nick and hard-nosed defender Brayden Maynard, with the duo sharing second place with 287 votes apiece.
Brownlow medalist Tom Mitchell (283) and the ever-consistent Scott Pendlebury rounded out what was a star-studded top five.
For the fifth consecutive season, uber reliable forward Brody Mihoceck claimed Collingwood's goalkicking award after banging through a career-high 47 goals on the year.
2023 E.W Copeland Trophy Top 10:
Other Award Winners:
Gordon Coventry Award - Leading Goal Kicker – Brody Mihocek
Harry Collier Trophy - Best First Year Player – Jakob Ryan
Darren Millane Memorial Trophy - Best Clubman – Brayden Maynard
Gavin Brown Award - Defensive Pressure – Beau McCreery
Bob Rose Award - Best Player In Finals – Jack Crisp
Simon Prestigiacomo Side-By-Side Award – Josh Fraser
Jack Hellier Award – (Best VFL Clubman) - Lachlan Tardrew
Joseph Wren Trophy – (VFL Best & Fairest) - Campbell Hustwaite
Essendon skipper Zach Merrett has been revealed as the Bombers' 2023 club champion, taking home this year's Crichton Medal.
The first-year captain finished on 211 votes, edging out runner-up forward Kyle Langford (191 votes) and third-placed defender Mason Redman (163 votes).
Merrett's victory represents his fourth Crichton Medal triumph, with the 28-year-old also securing his third All-Australian blazer this year.
2023 Crichton Medal Top 10:
1. Zach Merrett (211)
2. Kyle Langford (191)
3. Mason Redman (163)
4. Andrew McGrath (160)
5. Jordan Ridley (150)
6. Nic Martin (146)
7. Jye Caldwell (142)
8. Darcy Parish (137)
9. Sam Durham (120)
10. Dyson Heppell (114)
Other awards:
Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman – Andrew McGrath
Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player – Mason Redman
Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker – Kyle Langford
John Kilby Staff and Trainers Award – Andrew McGrath
Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star – Alwyn Davey Jnr
McCracken Medal – Zach Merrett and Kyle Langford
Louis Rowe Seniors Medal – Scott van Gemert
Clifford Denise Wise Community Medal – Ben Milton
Burgeoning midfielder Caleb Serong has taken home Fremantle's best and fairest award after another impressive season at Cockburn.
Serong's vote tally of 222 was far and away the best of any Docker this season, leading runner-up and 2022 Doig Medallist Andrew Brayshaw (179) and third-placed Luke Ryan (167), who continued his stellar stint in Justin Longmuir's backline.
The Gippsland Power graduate, who the Dockers drafted No. 8 in 2019, topped the AFL for disposals and ranked among the top five for contested possessions and clearances. He earned a maiden All-Australian blazer.
Fremantle senior coach Justin Longmuir praised Serong's unwavering consistency and stoppage work during a disappointing season for the Dockers as a whole.
"He was our most consistent player and it was at such a high level," Longmuir said.
"We highly value the contest and stoppage, and he was able to have an impact in those areas in almost every game.
"He's improving year on year, which is what all young players are aiming to do, and winning the Doig Medal is great recognition of the work he's put in over a number of years.
"He's always looking for different aspects to improve within his game and it's great that he gets rewarded for that."
Jye Amiss was recognised as Fremantle's most promising young player as the winner of the Beacon Award. The East Perth product dobbed 41 goals in 2023.
Doig Medal Top 10:
Caleb Serong – 222 votes
Andrew Brayshaw – 179
Luke Ryan – 167
Luke Jackson – 158
Hayden Young – 140
Lachie Schultz, Sam Switkowski – 139
Alex Pearce – 134
Brennan Cox – 117
Michael Frederick - 112
Inspirational defender Tom Stewart (135 votes) has claimed his second Carji Greeves Medal as Geelong's 2023 club champion, finishing ahead of hard-nosed midfielder Tom Atkins (105) and crafty forward Gryan Miers (93) on Thursday evening at Crown.
Improved defender Zach Guthrie (87) and power forward Jeremy Cameron (69) rounded out the top five.
Stewart played in all but one of the Cats' 2023 outings, demonstrating his consistency in Geelong's defence under Chris Scott. The 30-year-old's intercepting capability, as well as his ability to create on the rebound, were again highly valued traits throughout this year.
The impassable stopper averaged 23 disposals per game in 2023, along with 8.3 marks and 512 metres gained, and finished sixth in the AFL for intercept marks. Stewart also earned his fifth All-Australian blazer, making it his fifth honour in seven AFL seasons.
Among other awards presented during the night, Atkins claimed back-to-back Tom Harley Best Clubman awards. Meanwhile, in his first season as a Cat, forward Ollie Henry was named Best Young Player. Henry booted an efficient 41 goals and 20 behinds in 2023.
Carji Greeves Medal Top 10:
1st - Tom Stewart - 135 votes
2nd - Tom Atkins- 105 votes
3rd - Gryan Miers - 93 votes
4th - Zach Guthrie - 87 votes
5th - Jeremy Cameron - 69 votes
6th - Mark Blicavs - 67 votes
7th - Brad Close - 66 votes
8th - Patrick Dangerfield - 62 votes
9th - Tom Hawkins - 59 votes
10th - Isaac Smith - 57 votes
Gold Coast young gun Noah Anderson has claimed his first Suns Club Champion Award following a sensational 2023 season for the Queensland club.
Anderson polled 590 votes for the year - 27 more than runner-up Sam Collins - to cap off a breakout season in midfield.
The 22-year-old recorded career-best numbers in disposals, tackles, marks, clearances and contested possessions from his 23 games this year.
Fellow onballer Matt Rowell finished just four votes behind Collins to secure a podium finish, while Charlie Ballard and Jarrod Witts also notched up top-five finishes.
1st: Noah Anderson (590 votes)
2nd: Sam Collins (563)
3rd: Matt Rowell (559)
4th: Charlie Ballard (453)
5th: Jarrod Witts (451)
6th: Jack Lukosius (442)
7th: Darcy Macpherson (436)
8th: David Swallow (434)
9th: Wil Powell (391)
10th: Ben Ainsworth (361)
Other Awards:
Players' Player: Matt Rowell
Emerging Player: Sam Flanders
Most Professional: Levi Casboult
Life Membership: Sam Day, Tony Cochrane & Rory Thompson
Jarrod Harbrow Community Award: Brodie McLaughlin
Leading Goalkicker: Ben King
Academy Players of the Year: Jed Walter & Kiara Bischa
Giants captain Toby Greene (71 votes) has taken home his second Kevin Sheedy Medal, edging out impressive midfield teammates Stephen Coniglio (66) and Tom Green (66) to claim the 2023 honours.
A down-to-the-wire count saw Coniglio and Green share runners-up honours, as running defender Lachie Whitfield (61) and smooth-moving onballer Josh Kelly (58) rounded out the top five placings on Thursday evening.
2023 Kevin Sheedy Medal Top 10:
1 Toby Greene (71 votes)
=2 Stephen Coniglio and Tom Green (66)
4 Lachie Whitfield (61)
5 Josh Kelly (58)
6 Connor Idun (54)
7 Jack Buckley (53)
8 Sam Taylor (46)
9 Brent Daniels (42)
10 Lachie Ash (41)
Other awards:
Academy Player of the Year: Harvey Thomas
VFL Player of the Year: Cameron Fleeton
GIANTS Community Award: Kieren Briggs
Rising Star Award: Finn Callaghan
Members' Choice Award: Toby Greene
Mark of the Year: Harry Himmelberg – Round 1 v Crows
Goal of the Year: Toby Greene – Round 7 v Swans
Leading Goal Kicker: Toby Greene – 66 goals
Coaches Award: Jack Buckley
Best Finals Player: Connor Idun, Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield
Emerging Hawthorn star Will Day has taken out his first Peter Crimmins Medal in a thrilling best and fairest count for the Hawks' 2023 honour.
Day entered the final round of voting trailing fellow onballer Jai Newcombe, but would take the lead by two votes to win the title.
In what was a breakout year for Day, he would poll 125 votes in the count, with Irishman Conor Nash and previous winner James Worpel rounding out a midfield-inspired top four.
Top Ten:
Other Awards:
Most Improved - Conor Nash
Most Promising - Josh Ward
Lethal Award (teammate voted - Will Day
Best Clubman - Luke Breust
Most Courageous - Dylan Moore
Gun midfielder Christian Petracca capped an intense week at Demonland, winning his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy.
Following yet another sublime season for Simon Goodwin's side, Petracca took out the club's top honour with a seismic 602 votes to his name.
Trailing 'Trac' were former skipper Jack Viney (527 votes) and star defender Jake Lever (456) after each took their already polished games to new heights throughout 2023.
Angus Brayshaw (453) and Lever's partner in crime Stephen May (451) rounded out the Dees' top-five following stand-out seasons of their own.
Young guns Judd McVee and Jacob van Rooyen split the club's Best First Year Player Award following eye-catching campaigns at either end of the ground.
2023 Keith ‘Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy – Top 10
Christian Petracca – 602 votes
Jack Viney – 527 votes
Jake Lever – 456
Angus Brayshaw – 453 votes
Steven May – 451 votes
Alex Neal-Bullen – 450 votes
Kysaiah Pickett – 444 votes
Max Gawn – 426 votes
Judd McVee – 424 votes
Trent Rivers – 416 votes
Other award winners
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy – Best VFL Player
James McDonald Trophy – TRUE player
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy – Club Ambassador Award
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy – Best Young Player
Judd McVee and Jacob van Rooyen
Ron Barassi Jnr Memorial Trophy – Leadership Award
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy – Coaches Award
Following a scintillating debut season in blue and white, Harry Sheezel added the 2023 Syd Barker Medal to his Rising Star gong earned earlier in the month.
Sheezel, 18, proved the Roos' most consistent performer from the get-go, earning best and fairest honours with 197 votes, edging out Nick Larkey (173), Bailey Scott (140), Luke Davies-Uniacke (131) and retiring champion Jack Ziebell (112).
On a night in which North Melbourne mourned the passing of their first premiership coach, Ron Barrassi, Sheezel also took out the Roos' Best First Year Player Award, as well as the sponsored Mazda Excellence Award.
With more than 70 goals, runner-up Larkey was also dubbed the Glenn Archer Shinboner of the Year by his peers.
Top 10
1. Harry Sheezel – 197
2. Nick Larkey – 173
3. Bailey Scott – 140
4. Luke Davies-Uniacke – 131
5. Jack Ziebell – 112
6. Tarryn Thomas – 101
7. Ben McKay – 98
8. Cameron Zurhaar – 90
9. Liam Shiels - 90
10. Jy Simpkin – 88
Other award winners
Best Young Player Award – Harry Sheezel
Glenn Archer Shinboner of the Year Award – Nick Larkey
Mazda Excellence Award – Harry Sheezel
Harold Henderson Best Clubman Award – Bailey Scott
Peter Scanlon Community Award – Jaidyn Stephenson
John Law Medal (VFL Best & Fairest) – Jack Watkins
Life Memberships – Luke McDonald, Kayne Turner, Carl Dilena and Greg Ryan
Port Adelaide gun Zak Butters has capped off a breakout campaign by taking home the 2023 John Cahill Medal as his club's best and fairest.
Butters would poll 20 votes more than reigning winner Connor Rozee to win his maiden club champion honour, with All-Australian Dan Houston rounding out the podium.
Midfielder Willem Drew would finish in fourth after an impressive year for the defensive-minded onballer, who also claimed the Fos Williams Medal as the club's best team man for 2023.
First-year young gun Jason Horne-Francis would take out the Gavin Wanganeen Award as the best player under the age of 21, while Miles Bergman won the most improved title and Trent Dumont was recognised for his work in the community with the John McCarthy Award.
Top Ten:
1. Zak Butters - 190
2. Connor Rozee - 170
3. Dan Houston - 158
4. Willem Drew - 115
5. Aliir Aliir - 113
6. Sam Powell-Pepper - 104
7. Jason Horne-Francis - 97
8. Miles Bergman - 90
9. Darcy Byrne-Jones - 89
10. Ollie Wines - 86
Other Awards:
Fos Williams Medal (best team man)
Willem Drew
Gavin Wanganeen Award (best player under 21)
Jason Horne-Francis
Coaches' Award (most improved)
Miles Bergman
John McCarthy Award (for community service)
Trent Dumont
First-year Tiger Tim Taranto has taken out the 2023 Jack Dyer Medal following a strong opening campaign in the yellow and black.
The inside onballer, who moved from GWS 12 months ago, was a standout for the Tigers and has added to his 2019 Kevin Sheedy Medal at Richmond's night of nights.
Taranto would poll 14 more votes than next-best finisher Dustin Martin with his best and fairest-winning 68 votes, while Shai Bolton rounded out the podium.
Veteran defender Nathan Broad took out the player-voted Francis Bourke Award as a player who best upholds their trademark values.
Other award winners included Shai Bolton (Community Award), Jack Riewoldt (Leading Goalkicker) and Tylar Young (Best First Year Player).
Top Ten:
1st - Tim Taranto, 68
2nd - Dustin Martin, 54
3rd - Shai Bolton, 50
4th - Nick Vlastuin, 46
5th - Daniel Rioli, 45
6th - Liam Baker, 44
7th - Noah Balta, 43
8th - Dion Prestia, 42
Eq. 9th - Kamdyn McIntosh, 30
Eq. 9th - Nathan Broad, 30
Other Awards:
Shai Bolton - Community Award
Jack Riewoldt - Leading Goalkicker
Tylar Young - Best First Year Player
James Trezise - Guinane Medal
St Kilda defender Jack Sinclair has claimed his second straight Trevor Barker Award after a stellar 2023 campaign, polling 237 votes to finish nine ahead of fellow backman Callum Wilkie.
The back-to-back best and fairest titles come over a dominant 18-month spell for Sinclair, who has emerged as one of the premier ball winners in the competition through St Kilda's backline and midfield groups.
The award adds to an All-Australian blazer and top 10 finish in the coaches voting for 2023 as the Saints made a return to the finals picture in Sinclair's first year as a leadership group member.
Fellow All-Australian and vice-captain Wilkie finished in second, with ruckman Rowan Marshall rounding out the podium. Second-year pair Mitch Owens and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera both finished in the top five for votes polled.
The young pair shared the Best Emerging Player Award, while Wilkie was also recognised with the Team Trademark Award.
Top 10
1. Jack Sinclair (237 votes)
2. Callum Wilkie (228 votes)
3. Rowan Marshall (205 votes)
4. Mitchito Owens (172 votes)
5. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (164 votes)
=6. Brad Crouch (142 votes)
=6. Bradley Hill (142 votes)
8. Jack Higgins (119 votes)
9. Jack Steele (118 votes)
10. Josh Battle (115 votes)
Other Awards:
Lenny Hayes Team Trademark Award - Callum Wilkie
Robert Harvey Best Clubman Award - Tom Campbell
Best Emerging Player Award - Mitchito Owens & Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
CMC Markets Sainter of the Year - Jack Sinclair
Burgeoning Sydney Swans midfielder Errol Gulden capped his marvellous 2023 campaign by winning the 2023 Bob Skilton Medal as Sydney Swans Club Champion.
Gulden (738 votes) was far and away ahead of the next-closest poller, defender Nick Blakey (481), followed by third-placed midfielder James Rowbottom (471).
The 21-year-old Swans Academy graduate averaged 27 disposals, five tackles, and one goal per game in 2023, registering a true breakout campaign in his third season.
Gulden's magnificent season also earned his first All-Australian blazer and a fourth-placed finish in this year's Brownlow Medal count; polling the most times out of any Swans player in club history.
Executive GM-Football Charlie Gardiner said Gulden is well-deserving of the accolades.
"Errol had an extraordinary season. For a third-year player to do what he did was remarkable. He works extremely hard and gives everything each time he runs out in the red and white, it's [a] testament to his hard work and attitude," Gardiner said.
"On behalf of everyone at the club, I congratulate Errol on being named our 2023 Club Champion. He is a deserving Bob Skilton Medallist and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him."
2023 Bob Skilton Medal Top 10:
Other awards:
Paul Kelly Player's Player: Errol Gulden
Barry Round Best Clubman Award: Harry Cunningham
Dennis Carrol Award, Most Improved: Hayden McLean
Rising Star Award: Angus Sheldrick
VFL Player of the Year: Corey Warner
VFL Squad Player of the Year: Jake Bartholomaeus
Eagles midfielder Tim Kelly took out his maiden John Worsfold Medal after a career-best season in the blue and gold, polling 200 votes to sit well ahead of the next best in key forward Oscar Allen.
Kelly became the 25th individual to claim the West Coast Club Champion honour, with the 2023 title his first across a six-year career with Geelong and West Coast.
The 29-year-old averaged 28.23 disposals, 5.91 clearances and 13.41 contested possessions across his 22-game season.
Allen, who enjoyed a breakout year to boot 53 goals, polled 163 votes, while defender Liam Duggan managed to finish in third with 158 votes.
Recruit Jayden Hunt (116 votes) and departing veteran Shannon Hurn (102) rounded out the top five, with the latter managing to poll strongly across just 13 appearances for the year.
Top 10:
Other Awards:
Mainwaring Medal (Best Clubman): Shannon Hurn
Emerging Talent Award: Reuben Ginbey
Community Service Award: Nic Naitanui
Life Membership: Liam Duggan, Dom Sheed
Marcus Bontempelli has continued to elevate his standing at the Whitten Oval, claiming his fifth Charles Sutton Medal following another sterling season.
Having won his second league MVP this season, as well as earning his fifth All-Australian blazer, Bontempelli remained the odds-on favourite to salute during Wednesday night's count.
And with 342 votes, the gun on-baller took out the gong with a sizable lead, finishing 64 votes ahead of the ever-underrated Tom Liberatore (278 votes).
Following a boom year in which he played 19 games, Ed Richards rounded out the podium, finishing in third with 193 votes.
In the surprise of the night, returning defender Liam Jones finished in fifth position, even after missing two months of senior action with a broken arm. Jones was also dubed the club's Most Courageous Player for the 2023 season.
First-time All-Australian Tim English earned the honour of taking out the club's Most Improved Award, named after Liberatore's Brownlow-winning father, Tony.
Charles Sutton Medal Top 10:
Other award winners: