On Saturday night, Hawthorn Football Club will hold its 2016 best and fairest awards, the Peter Crimmins Medal.

hawthornfc.com.au takes a look at who might be in contention to be crowned the winner in a season which culminated in a seventh-consecutive finals series berth.

Cyril Rioli

It was an outstanding season from the 2015 Norm Smith Medallist which saw him named All Australian for the second year in a row and the third time in his career.

Playing closer to goal in 2016 in the absence of Jarryd Roughead, Rioli registered career-best seasons in terms of goals (47) and tackles (128).

It was his conversion in front of goal which was also a highlight, returning an accuracy of 74.6% for the season – on of the most accurate kicks for goal in across the competition.

He should poll well in Round 5 against Adelaide when he kicked four goals and laid ten tackles, as well as Round 20 when he kicked four goals from 15 disposals as well as laying 12 tackles against Melbourne.

Given he was held goalless just twice for the season, Rioli should poll votes consistently throughout the season.

Sam Mitchell

Continuing to lead from the front in 2016, Mitchell is very familiar with polling votes in the Peter Crimmins Medal, having already won the award four times.

Mitchell’s consistency was the highlight of his game this season, registering less than 20 disposals in a game just once.

His 2016 averages of 5.4 clearances and 9.8 contested possessions per game reinforced his standing as one of the best midfielders in the competition.

He will poll well in Round 4 when he collected a club-record 44 disposals against St Kilda, as well as Round 14 against the Gold Coast Suns which saw him rack up 35 disposals and eight clearances.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone should Mitchell add to his list of Peter Crimmins Medal wins on Saturday night.

Sam Mitchell could win a fifth Peter Crimmins Medal in 2016.

Jack Gunston

It was a coming of age year for Jack Gunston in 2016, who had to play as the number one target inside Hawthorn’s forward 50 for the entire season.

With Jarryd Roughead out of action, Gunston took on more goal kicking responsibility and leadership, reaffirming himself as an elite tall forward who is capable of playing close to goal or further up the ground.

He finished with 51 goals for the season and also took 154 marks, the second-most of any season in his career to date.

He was also used in a couple of other roles, floating into defence at crucial times and also attending centre bounces at various stages.

An 18-disposal game against Sydney in Round 9 which included 11 marks and four goals should see him poll well, along with best on ground claims in Round 6 against GWS after a five-goal performance.

Jordan Lewis

Another former Peter Crimmins Medallist, Lewis put together a consistent season in 2016.

The Hawthorn vice-captain averaged 26.3 disposals per game this year along with 12 goals for the season – a great return for a midfielder.

His 42-disposal performance against Brisbane in Round 10, which also happened to be his 250^th AFL game, is sure to see him draw maximum votes.

Lewis was also particularly influential against North Melbourne in Round 13, racking up 31 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal in a winning side.

With four premierships and a Peter Crimmins Medal already to his name, Lewis could well add another best and fairest to his long list of achievements.

Shaun Burgoyne

The impact which Burgoyne was able to have on games in 2016 should see him poll well in the best and fairest this year.

Being able to play in a number of positions, Burgoyne was injected into the midfield at crucial times to get the Hawks over the line in big games.

This was no more evident than during his withering final-quarter burst against the Sydney Swans in Round 17 when he kicked two clutch goals and helped Hawthorn reinforce its standing on the top of the ladder.

The veteran finished the season with a flurry, kicking seven goals in the last four games which included a two-goal, 25-disposal display against West Coast which could attract votes his way.

Having played in four premierships, a best and fairest would add to what is already a distinguished AFL career.

Shaun Burgoyne has been a consistent performer for Hawthorn this season.

Grant Birchall

Consistency was key for Birchall in 2016, playing every game for the year and finishing with an average of 22.9 disposals per game.

Usually an unheralded member of the Hawthorn line up, the four-time premiership player continued to play an important role off half back this season.

He recorded a season-high 30 disposals against Essendon in Round 12, along with 28 important touches against the Gold Coast Suns in Round 14.

Birchall continued to play strong football into the finals, with a 28-disposal performance against Geelong in the qualifying final which nearly saw the Hawks get over the line against their arch rivals.

Finishing second in the best and fairest in 2014 and third in both 2011 and 2012, Birchall is a proven vote getter who will be hoping to go one better this time around.

Isaac Smith

Smith continued to prove a vital part of Hawthorn’s continued success in 2016, playing an important role in the midfield as one of the most damaging outside runners in the competition.

His consistency was a highlight, collecting less than 20 disposals on just three occasions over the course of his 24 games this season.

Given his tremendous continuity, expect to see Smith attract his fair share of votes over the course of the night.

His 25-disposal, one-goal game against Richmond in Round 7 was a highlight for the speedy left-footer, along with a standout game against North Melbourne in Round 21 when he collected 33 disposals, 11 marks, seven tackles and six inside 50s.