As we close in on crowning the next club best and fairest, let's take a look at those who may follow Jy Simpkin's 2021 victory and etch their name into Syd Barker Medal history.

Will Luke Davies-Uniacke claim a maiden Syd Barker Medal or will Jy Simpkin add a second to his resume?

Can Todd Goldstein or Luke McDonald become a two-time winner or is time for a certain key forward to be named as the club's best and fairest?

>> WATCH THE 2022 SYD BARKER MEDAL RIGHT HERE FROM 7.20PM AEST ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

All will be revealed on Thursday, September 1, but for now, we'll take a glance at who’s in the frame to take out North Melbourne's most prestigious prize.

Voting

The voting system consists of each player earning up to 20 votes in a match, with votes from all home and away games counting towards the final total.

The senior and assistant coaches provide separate votes for each player per round, ranging from 0-10. One vote means a player played their role, and 10 votes denotes an exceptional performance.

The countback method will be used in the case of a tied position except in the case of dual-winners, where the player with the most higher polling games will supersede.

The Contenders

In number order

Bailey Scott

Previous highest finish: 15th (2021)

Selected as a father-son pick in the 2018 AFL Draft, Scott took his game to another level in 2022 to become one of the club's standouts players.

The 22-year-old thrived through the half-back flanks and wings throughout the year, averaging a career-high 18.2 disposals per game (five more than 2021).

His strong performances over the campaign were recognised by the AFLPA as he was selected in the 40-player 22under22 squad for the season.

The improvement shown by Scott and the impact he had on games this year could soon be embodied by a maiden Syd Barker Medal win.

Season stats: 21 games, 3 goals; 18.2 disposals, 4.5 marks, 2.7 score involvements, 311.5 metres gained per game.

Luke Davies-Uniacke 

Previous highest finish: 5th (2021)

It was a stellar campaign for Davies-Uniacke who further emerged to impressive effect.

Without Ben Cunnington for the majority of the season, 'LDU' had to take on more responsibility and he did so with aplomb, becoming one of the League's most improved players.

Once again, the midfielder grew in consistency and his bursts from stoppages, plus his quick feet in traffic, were sights to behold for North fans amidst a trying year.

The 23-year-old had countless star outings but, arguably, his most prolific one came in Round 17 against Collingwood where he amassed 33 touches, 11 tackles (career-high), 12 clearances (career-high), and 14 inside-50s.

Season stats: 21 games, 9 goals; 24.9 disposals, 5.3 clearances, 4.5 tackles, 5 inside-50s, 5 score involvements per game.

Luke McDonald

Previous highest finish: 1st (2020)

After experiencing an injury-interrupted 2021 season, co-vice captain Luke McDonald rebounded excellently in 2022 and is in contention to become a two-time winner.

During a difficult year, McDonald's experience and poise down back regularly gave fans a sense of relief, while his defensive nous was again at its highest level.

Acknowledged as one of the club's spiritual leaders, McDonald was able reach the 150-game mark in front of home fans in Round 13 and later surpassed his father's tally of 155 in Round 20.

Like Goldstein, McDonald's consistency and overall class over the year could see him climb up the leaderboard.

Season stats: 22 games, 1 goal; 20.3 disposals, 5.4 intercept possessions, 425.9 metres gained, 5.4 marks, 6.1 rebound 50s per game.

Jy Simpkin

Previous highest finish: 1st (2021)

With one Syd Barker Medal to his name already, co-vice-captain Jy Simpkin is undoubtedly in the mix to claim a second after another magnificent season.

As the leader of the budding, young onball brigade, Simpkin enjoyed yet another outstanding season.

While it was tough to improve on his Syd Barker Medal-winning year from 2021, Jy displayed throughout 2022 that his game is still evolving which was evident against Essendon in Round 20 where he garnered a career-high 41 disposals, six clearances and five tackles.

Season stats: 21 games, 7 goals; 26.6 disposals, 5.3 clearances, 4.5 tackles, 4.7 inside-50s, 19.7 pressure acts per game.

Nick Larkey

Previous highest finish: 10th (2021)

Opportunities to score were hard to come by for large portions of 2022, but Nick Larkey still managed to add to his growing career goal tally.

As usual, Larkey's elite precision in front of the big sticks was on display throughout the year as he slotted 38.18 from 20 appearances, including bags of six and seven in Round 2 and 21 respectively.

The main forward man is now a two-time club leading goalkicker and could well have enough high-polling games to challenge for the prize.

Season stats: 20 games, 38 goals; 9.7 disposals, 3.8 marks per game.

Todd Goldstein 

Previous highest finish: 1^st (2015)

A timeless presence on-field, Goldstein was as consistent as ever in 2022.

The 2015 Syd Barker Medallist was the only veteran amongst a young North midfield group for most of the season, but his ability to follow up his ruck work and become an extra rover around the ground reminded fans that he simply doesn't age.

Also acting as a key forward at times, Goldy' managed to kick 16 goals for the campaign which is his second-highest tally since debuting in 2008 (20 – 2016).

Once again, the 34-year-old will be one of the contenders on North's night of nights, can he add a second best and fairest win to his name?

Season stats: 22 games, 16 goals; 13 disposals, 24 hitouts, 2.6 marks, 4.6 score involvements per game.

Other awards

Glenn Archer Shinboner of the Year
This award epitomises the club values – real, bold, belonging and never beaten. Each week the players nominate who they believe stands for the Shinboner values, with the winner having accumulated the most individual votes over the season.

Last year's winner – Jy Simpkin

Best Young Player
The Best Young Player award acknowledges those players who have been making their mark within the club and the AFL in the last two years. This award is voted by the coaching staff. 

Last year's winner – Tom Powell

Harold Henderson Best Clubman
The Harold Henderson Best Clubman Award is for the player who epitomises everything about unselfishness, has a team-first attitude, goes beyond the call of duty, not just on the field for the 22 players selected each week, but for the whole playing list and club.

Last year's winner – Kayne Turner

Mazda Excellence Award
North Melbourne will again team up with Mazda to recognise the player that best illustrated the traits of class and elite performance. Voted on by the club’s members and fans.

Last year's winner – Ben Cunnington

Peter Scanlon Community Award
This award exemplifies the spirit of giving, going the ‘extra mile’ on numerous occasions, that have made significant contributions to our community, often without recognition, and never expecting fanfare.

Last year's winner – Chris Simmonds