Shaun Higgins has capped off a career best-season winning his first Syd Barker medal with 217 votes.
The midfielder narrowly claimed the award ahead of Ben Cunnington (211) and Ben Brown (209) in a gripping vote count that went down to the wire.
It has been a memorable season for Higgins who achieved career-highs in disposals (averaging 23.5) and tackles (averaging 5). He ranked 3rd in the league for inside 50’s and 9th for goal assists.
Higgins, 29, who signed a contract extension until the end of 2019, played 21 of 22 games after managing only 9 games in 2016 due to injury.
Cunnington went close to claiming his second Syd Barker after a stellar home and away season in which he had a career-high in average disposals (25.6) and ranked among the game’s elite in clearances, centre clearances and contested possessions.
Ben Brown finished in third place after booting 63 goals for the season, smashing his previous career best by 22. Brown was a force to be reckoned with in attack, coming 3rd in the race for the Coleman medal at the end of the Home and Away season.
Last year’s winner Robbie Tarrant (204) finished in 4th spot with Luke McDonald (192) rounding out the top 5.
Syd Barker Medal Top 10:
Shaun Higgins 217
Ben Cunnington 211
Ben Brown 209
Robbie Tarrant 204
Luke McDonald 192
Jack Ziebell 161
Sam Gibson 161
Taylor Garner 134
Scott Thompson 126
Shaun Atley 125
Other 2017 Winners:
Shinboner of the year: Ben Cunnington
Best Young Player: Jy Simpkin
Peter Scanlon Community Award: Ben Brown
Harold Henderson Best Clubman: Lachlan Hansen
Mazda Excellence Award: Ben Cunnington
Life membership: Andrew Swallow, Todd Goldstein, Scott Thompson
