With the Peter Crimmins Medal count fast approaching, we thought we would have a look at 10 potential contenders for this year’s best and fairest award.
Let's start with the favourite.
Tom Mitchell
Best games of the season:
Round 9 vs Collingwood
50 possessions, 22 contested possessions, eight marks, eight tackles and five clearances
In the Round 9 loss to Collingwood, Tom Mitchell became just the seventh player to record 50 disposals in a single AFL game. This game represented the 24-year old’s season-high disposal and contested possession marks, as Mitchell announced himself as the game’s premier ball magnet.
Read: Mitchell registers top three finish in Brownlow
Round 17 vs Geelong
43 possessions, six marks, three tackles, nine clearances and two goals
Round 17 marked the fifth consecutive week that Mitchell was able to hit the scoreboard, while still collecting enormous amounts of possessions. This game was one of two times that the former Swan kicked multiple goals this season.
Round 22 vs Carlton
44 possessions, four marks, seven tackles and 11 clearances
The penultimate game of the Hawks’ year saw Mitchell record a season-high in clearances and the second-highest number of disposals of his outstanding season. Interestingly, Mitchell also took three bounces in this game, the first time in his career that he has recorded three bounces.
Games missed: 0
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing (if within the top 10): N/A (8th at Swans in 2016)
Previous best finish in a PCM count (if within the top 10): N/A (8th at Swans in 2016)
Season rundown: The Hawks only All Australian team member, Mitchell enjoyed a fine season in his first year in the brown and gold and is rightfully the favourite to take out this year’s Peter Crimmins Medal. The midfielder set a new league record for total disposals in a season (787) and games of 30+ disposals (20) in 2017.
Shaun Burgoyne
Best games of the season:
Round 10 vs Sydney
26 possessions, 19 contested possessions, five tackles, five clearances, six one-percenters and two goals
This Round 10 Indigenous Round classic saw Burgoyne record season-highs in disposals, contested possessions, one-percenters and goals. His second major was characteristically clutch from the 34-year old as he goaled in the dying minutes to facilitate his captain Jarryd Roughead kicking the ultimate match-winner.
Round 14 vs Adelaide
26 possessions, 17 contested possessions, six tackles, four clearances and two goals
Again influential in one of the Hawks’ best wins of the year, Burgoyne again emerged with two important goals to help deliver one of the biggest upsets of the 2017 season.
Games missed: 0
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing: 3rd
Previous best finish in a PCM count: 3rd in 2016
Season rundown: Returning after a career-best finish in the 2016 Peter Crimmins Medal, Burgoyne is every chance to improve that mark again in 2017 after an outstanding season. In his 16th season, Burgoyne continued to contribute at a high level, averaging 20.1 possessions per game.
Luke Hodge
Best games of the season:
Round 4 vs Geelong
35 possessions, five marks, five tackles and six inside 50s
The only game of the 2017 season where Hodge recorded 30+ disposals, the 33-year old was clearly amongst the Hawks’ best players in this disappointing Easter Monday clash.
Round 21 vs North Melbourne
29 possessions, nine marks, four tackles and five one-percenters
In his farewell game to Hawthorn’s Tasmanian contingent, Hodge delivered a stellar performance to help the Hawks overcome the Kangaroos. His 21 kicks in this game were an equal season-high.
Games missed: 3
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing:
Previous best finish in a PCM count: Winner in 2005 and 2010
Season rundown: In the final season of his career, Hodge was amongst the Hawks’ most consistent performers. The 33-year old played a pivotal role in numerous wins this season and can expect to poll well in this year’s count.
Read: Hodge offer edging closer
Isaac Smith
Best games of the season:
Round 10 vs Sydney
30 possessions, 11 marks, five tackles and six inside 50s
Smith was one of the Hawks’ most influential players on this night, as his hard-running game helped deliver his side an unlikely win away from home. This game also saw the vice-captain record a new career-high in uncontested possessions, with 27 on the night.
Round 22 vs Carlton
26 possessions, four marks, seven inside 50s, six clearances and one goal
The Hawks’ leading inside 50 player in 2017 had his second highest amount of deliveries of the year against Carlton in Round 22, with seven. While his six clearances were a season-high and his 10 contested possessions represented one of two times he reached double digits in the category this year.
Games missed: 0
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing: 6th
Previous best finish in a PCM count: 5th in 2014
Season rundown: Only Tom Mitchell had more disposals than Isaac Smith this season, as the 28-year old recorded the highest possession average of his career in 2017. In his first year as vice-captain of the club, Smith can be proud of his performance this year in a challenging year for the Hawks.
Ryan Burton
Best games of the season:
Round 14 vs Adelaide
21 possessions, five marks, five rebound 50s, six one-percenters and two goals
Returning to his home state of South Australia for one outstanding performance, Burton ensured the Crows would forever regret passing on him in the 2015 draft. With two pivotal goals in the third quarter, Burton was instrumental in the Hawks’ upset win.
Round 17 vs Collingwood
29 possessions, six marks, five inside 50s and three tackles
Burton recorded a career-high number in disposals against Collingwood in Round 17, as the Hawks redeemed their disappointing loss to the Pies earlier in the year. His 22 uncontested possessions were also a career-high for the 20-year old.
Games missed: 2
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing:
Previous best finish in a PCM count:
Season rundown: One of the shining lights for Hawthorn in season 2017, Burton displayed enormous promise as a defender this year. The Hawks’ leading man for rebound 50s, Burton finished second in the NAB Rising Star award and emerged as a key figure in the Hawks’ future.
Ben McEvoy
Best games of the season:
Round 5 vs West Coast
17 possessions, seven marks, five tackles, 43 hit-outs and one goal
McEvoy was dominant in this Round 5 clash and a significant factor in the Hawks recording their first win of the year against the Eagles. Taking four contested marks and having 43 hit-outs, Big Boy was an enormous aerial presence. While the 28-year old also managed to kick a goal to cap off an outstanding performance.
Round 7 vs Melbourne
12 possessions, four marks, four tackles, nine one-percenters, 53 hit-outs and two goals
The former Saint recorded multiple season-highs in this game as he took full advantage of a Max Gawn-less Demons ruck division. His statistics in hit-outs, goals and one-percenters were all among his best numbers of 2017.
Games missed: 0
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing:
Previous best finish in a PCM count:
Season rundown: McEvoy was one of the Hawks’ most important players in 2017, in a year that was arguably the best of his career. The 28-year old recorded a career-high 32.4 hit-outs per game and kicked 14 goals to be the greatest scoreboard influence of his career as well.
Jarryd Roughead
Best games of the season:
Round 21 vs North Melbourne
20 possessions, eight marks, one tackle and three goals
Roughead was everywhere in this victory over North Melbourne in Round 21. Collecting at least 20 disposals for the eighth and final time of the season, he also added three goals to his day out.
Round 23 vs Western Bulldogs
19 possessions, 10 marks, six tackles and five goals
This Round 23 win saw Roughead deliver his biggest goal haul, dominating the Dogs’ backline with five majors. The 30-year old also had a season-high seven marks inside 50 as he seemed unstoppable around goals for the Hawks in Luke Hodge’s farewell game.
Games missed: 0
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing: -
Previous best finish in a PCM count: 2nd in 2013
Season rundown: The first-year captain was mightily impressive in 2017, being one of only six Hawks to play every game this year. Leading the club goal kicking for the third time in his career, Roughead quickly returned to some of his best form after not playing at all in 2016.
Liam Shiels
Best games of the season:
Round 10 vs Sydney
31 possessions, four marks, five clearances and 10 tackles
Shiels was huge in the Round 10 victory over Sydney, as he went head to head with the Swans star-studded midfield. The disposal and tackle marks were season-highs for Shiels, as he clearly lifted to the challenge to help earn the Hawks a famous win.
Round 17 vs Geelong
29 possessions, seven marks, six tackles, 12 clearances and one goal
The clash against Geelong saw Shiels deliver the most well-rounded performance of his season. The 12 clearances smashed his previous career-best as the vice-captain took control in the Hawthorn midfield.
Games missed: 1
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing:
Previous best finish in a PCM count: 7th in 2011
Season rundown: In his first year as vice-captain of the club, Liam Shiels delivered another strong season. The 26-year old rated second at the club for tackles (6.1), second for clearances (4.2), third for disposals (21.7) and third for contested possessions (8.3).
James Sicily
Best games of the season:
Round 18 vs Fremantle
29 possessions, 11 marks and three rebound 50s
With four of his 11 marks being contested, Sicily was a defensive wall that Fremantle could not penetrate in the Hawks’ Round 18 win over the Dockers. The 29 possessions were his second highest disposal tally of the year while the 12 contested possessions was his best mark of the year.
Round 23 vs Western Bulldogs
31 possessions, 12 marks, four rebound 50s and one goal
Sicily saved his best to last with an outstanding performance in the final game of the season. Under pressure after a down game the previous week against Carlton, Sicily revelled in the extra attention, collecting a career-high 31 possessions and kicking an impressive long-range goal.
Games missed: 3
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing: -
Previous best finish in a PCM count: -
Season rundown: Expect James Sicily to come storming home in the 2017 Peter Crimmins Medal count, as he was arguably the Hawks’ best player in the second half of the season. For the final ten games of the season, the 22-year old averaged 24.1 possessions, 9.1 marks and 2.2 contested marks in some dominant performances as a backman.
Jack Gunston
Best games of the season:
Round 12 v Gold Coast
16 disposals, 5 goals, 4 tackles
Gunston lead the fourth quarter resurgence, helping the Hawks back from a 43-point deficit to be within nine points. While it wasn't quite enough to get his side over the line, the forward's five goal performance was enough to earn him a nod on Brownlow night.
Round 18 v Fremantle
35 disposals, 1 goal, 5 rebound 50s
It was an impressive performance, as Gunston racked up the highest disposal count of his career (35). The Hawks dominated the Dockers, with Gunston putting on a clinical display in the backline, stifling the Fremantle forward line and helping his side to a 52-point victory.
Games missed: 0
2016 Peter Crimmins Medal placing: 7th
Previous best finish in a PCM count: 7th
Season rundown: After a slow start for the natural goal-kicker, Gunston found himself in the backline after Clarkson boldly shifted the magnets around mid-season. It was a moved that paid off for both parties; Gunston became a calm, composed and experienced head amongst a young Hawthorn backline, and rekindled career-best form, averaging 24 disposals a game in the last nine rounds of the season.
