Who will be crowned the 2020 Syd Barker Medallist?
Syd Barker was one of North’s favourite sons in its early VFA days, captaining the club for six seasons during his playing spell from 1909-1921, and the club’s best and fairest player award has been named after him since 1929.
After each match, the Senior Coach voted 0-10 on each player, while the Assistant Coaches collectively voted 0-10 on each player, with the maximum score a player can earn in one round equalling 20 votes.
A countback system has been introduced to separate players on the same number of votes, except in the case of dual-winners.
We take a look at the players in the frame to take out North Melbourne’s top honour.
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Todd Goldstein
A winner of the award in 2015, Todd Goldstein enjoyed a stellar personal season.
Goldstein was dominant in the ruck around the ground for North Melbourne, recording the fourth-most hit-outs, and 12th-most clearances in the AFL.
His 14.9 disposals per game have only been bettered once (2019), while his 5.2 clearances were a career-best.
Jy Simpkin
Simpkin had been a highly-promising prospect in his first three seasons in the AFL, but he took his game to the next level.
Playing predominantly in a midfield role, the number 12 had a career-best season in almost every statistical category.
His impressive year caught the eyes of the umpires, as he finished atop of the Roos’ Brownlow Medal vote tally, with eight.
Luke McDonald
Arguably North Melbourne’s most improved player in 2020, Luke McDonald had an individual season to remember.
His second half of the year was especially impressive, when he took to a rebounding role out of defence, notching up three 30-plus disposal outings from Round 9 onwards, with two more over 25 touches.
From Round 9 on, McDonald averaged 25.6 disposals from the backline, putting him up alongside the elite players in the competition.
Jed Anderson
With Ben Cunnington missing through injury for most of the year, North’s hard-as-nails number 3 took over the mantle as the Roos’ number one inside-midfielder, and did so with aplomb.
Anderson was a shining light in the middle throughout the season, with his 29 AFLCA Coaches Votes placing him second at the club, only behind Todd Goldstein.
From Round 9 onwards (excluding Round 11), Anderson averaged 25.4 disposals and 5.1 clearances, numbers that put him alongside the elite inside-midfielders in the AFL.
Shaun Higgins
A two-time winner of the award (2017, 2018), Shaun Higgins had another strong season, leading the Roos for disposals.
Higgins was often deployed in a role on the wing to enable North’s young stars to gain more midfield minutes, and was critical with his leadership in the absence of Jack Ziebell.
Robbie Tarrant
Another former winner (2016), Robbie Tarrant had a strong season in a defence that was often under fire.
Tarrant took the most marks for the Roos, and also led them for rebound 50s.
With Jack Ziebell out for a large portion of the season, Tarrant was called upon as captain
Trent Dumont
Dumont has become one of North’s most reliable players in recent years, and narrowly missed out on a podium finish in last year’s count.
He enjoyed another consistent season, averaging 20.1 disposals per game, and didn’t drop below 16 touches all year.
Dumont also tallied the most pressure acts and tackles; metrics that are sure to put him in favour with the coaches.
A number of other awards will also be on offer on Wednesday evening.
Peter Scanlon Community Award
The recipient of the Peter Scanlon Community Award exemplifies the spirit of giving, going the ‘extra mile’ on numerous occasions and to one that has made significant contributions to our community, which often goes unnoticed.
Life Membership
Life Membership is recommended by the NMFC Heritage Committee to the club’s board.
Players who have been on the senior list and completed 10 years of service are considered eligible for Life Membership.
For other nominees for Life Membership, they are considered by the Heritage Committee to have made a significant contribution to the club and recommended to the board for Life Membership.
Shinboner of the Year
The Shinboner of the Year award is presented to the player who best epitomises the club values – real, bold, belonging and never beaten.
Mazda Excellence Award
The club’s fans and members vote each week for the player that best illustrated the traits of class and elite performance, awarding their votes on a 3-2-1 basis.
Harold Henderson Best Clubman Award.
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.
The Best Young Player Award
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 North coaching staff.
