Ben Cunnington has been rewarded for his stellar season, claiming a second Syd Barker Medal.
The 28-year-old finished on 242 votes, edging out a fast-finishing Robbie Tarrant, who polled 227.
Cunnington won his first best-and-fairest in 2014, and has since risen to greater heights becoming one of the game's most damaging midfielders.
He ranked 3rd in the league for clearances (7 per game) and 4th for contested possessions (16), and had 77 more disposals than any other Kangaroo.
His season highlights also included an equal career-best 14 clearances in Round 12 against Gold Coast and an impressive 37-disposal outing against Port Adelaide in Round 22.
Such was his impact, he was named in the All-Australian squad.
Tarrant led North in most key defensive areas, finishing 1st in marks (137), intercept marks (47) and spoils (139), and an impressive 86 per cent disposal efficiency.
Recently re-signed ruckman Todd Goldstein finished 3rd after a count-back, edging out midfielder Trent Dumont. In his best year since earning All-Australian honours in 2015, Goldstein averaged 33 hit-outs and 17 disposals.
Fellow tall Tom Campbell claimed the John Law Medal, awarded to the VFL’s best-and-fairest.
Top 10
Ben Cunnington 242
Robbie Tarrant 227
Todd Goldstein 192*
Trent Dumont 192
Ben Brown 190*
Jack Ziebell 190
Jared Polec 184
Shaun Higgins 170
Jasper Pittard 169
Shaun Atley 158
* Finishes higher on countback
Other awards
Life Members: Dean Laidley, Ben Cunnington, Jamie Macmillan
Harold Henderson Best Clubman Award: Tom Campbell
The Mazda Excellence Award: Ben Cunnington
Peter Scanlon Community Award: Jamie Macmillan
Shinboner of the Year Award: Robbie Tarrant
Best Young Player Award: Tarryn Thomas
VFL Best Clubman Award: Daniel Robinson
