James Sicily has been crowned Hawthorn’s 2022 Peter Crimmins Medallist after producing a season which saw him ranked among the best defenders in the competition.
The win marks Sicily’s first club medal, as well as his first podium finish in a best and fairest.
Sicily was durable and consistent in 2022, polling votes in all but three of his 22 games played.
The 27-year-old demonstrated an ability to maintain his fitness and form as he returned from injury this year following more than 18 months on the sidelines.
After an incredible break-out season in the brown and gold, exciting youngster Jai Newcombe finished as this year’s runner-up.
In what was an extremely close ending to the count, Sicily (123) polled eight more votes to finish ahead of Newcombe (115), and third-placed Dylan Moore (113).
In just his second year at the club, Newcombe enjoyed a career-best season in which he averaged 22.5 touches through his 22 outings.
The 21-year-old was named as the AFL Coaches Association’s Best Young Player and earned more Brownlow votes than any other Hawk.
After five seasons in the brown and gold, it is also the first time Moore has finished on the podium of the Hawks’ best and fairest count.
Much like the top-two placegetters, the 23-year-old delivered a career-best year in 2022 off the back of a break-out year in 2021.
Averaging 20.2 disposals, 5.6 marks and 4.2 tackles from his 22 matches, Moore also showed his capabilities as a dangerous player up forward, kicking 26 goals this year.
Coming off the back of impressive seasons, consistent performers Blake Hardwick (82) and Tom Mitchell (79) were praised for their efforts across the year finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Featuring in all 22 matches of Hawthorn’s fixture, Sicily had an immaculate 2022 campaign that saw him accumulate the most marks across the competition with an average of 8.6 per game, alongside a rate of 8.5 intercept possessions (equal third in the league) and 8.1 rebound 50s (first).
His deadly right boot has been utilised regularly down back, ranking fourth in the league for kicks (averaging 19 per game) and third for metres gained (590.18).
Round 23 witnessed one of his best performances of the year as he collected a career-best 33 possessions and 17 marks.
Sicily received league-wide nods when he earned a spot in the All Australian 40-man squad, two years on from suffering an ACL injury that quickly abolished part of his 2020 and entire 2021 season.
Aside from his second-place finish, Newcombe was also awarded the Lethal Award, Mitch Lewis took out Most Improved, while Hardwick was deemed Most Courageous.
Despite a season impacted by injury, Ned Reeves was awarded the club’s Most Promising Player while Moore was judged Best Clubman.
2022 Peter Crimmins Medal Top 10
1. James Sicily (123)
2. Jai Newcombe (115)
3. Dylan Moore (113)
4. Blake Hardwick (82)
5. Tom Mitchell (79)
6. Mitch Lewis (74)
7. Jaeger O’Meara (65)
8. Finn Maginness (61)
9. Harry Morrison (59)
9. Jack Scrimshaw (59)
Votes for the 2022 Peter Crimmins Medal were awarded by three groups after each home-and-away match; Senior Coach Sam Mitchell, one card between Line Coaches David Hale, Robert Harvey, Chris Newman and one card between Senior Assistant Adrian Hickmott and Head of Development Andrew Collins.
A maximum of 12 votes can be accumulated by a player after the four voting cards are submitted using the following grading system: three votes to the best player/s, two votes for a significant influence on the game, one vote to player/s who played their role or beat their opponent. On rare occasions a player/s may receive four votes for an exceptional game.
