John Nicholls Medal

The John Nicholls Medal is an Australian rules football award given annually by the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL) to the player adjudged best and fairest for the season.^[1] Originally established in 1934 as the Robert Reynolds Trophy—named after a club vice-president who died that year—it was renamed the John Nicholls Medal in 2004 to honor the club's legendary ruckman John Nicholls, who won the award a record five times between 1959 and 1967.^[2] John Nicholls, often called "Big Nick," played 328 games for Carlton from 1957 to 1974, kicking 307 goals and captaining the team to premiership victories in 1968, 1970, and 1972 (as captain-coach).^[2] Recognized as Carlton's greatest player at the club's 150th anniversary function in 2014, Nicholls was inducted as an AFL Legend in 1996 and selected as the ruckman in Carlton's Team of the Century.^[2] The medal itself features a 3D image of Nicholls on a pewter base with antique gold plating, symbolizing his enduring legacy as a tough, skillful leader who embodied the club's values.^[2] The award is determined by votes from a match committee—five members per game since its early days, though the system evolved in 2016 to include four coaches awarding up to 16 votes per round based on performance tiers.^[1] Over its 90-year history, only three ties have occurred: in 1947 (Bert Deacon and Ern Henfry), 1986 (Craig Bradley and Wayne Johnston), and 2000 (Scott Camporeale and Brett Ratten).^[3] Notable multiple winners include Bruce Doull (four times, 1974–1984), as well as three-time recipients such as John James, Kernahan, Bradley, Brett Ratten, and Chris Judd; more recently, Patrick Cripps claimed a record-equaling fifth medal in 2024, while George Hewett won in 2025.^[1][4][5] The medal count ceremony remains a highlight of Carlton's season, celebrating individual excellence amid the team's pursuit of collective success.^[1]

History

Origins of the Award

The Carlton Football Club's tradition of recognizing its best and fairest player dates back to 1929, when the inaugural informal award was presented to forward Horrie Clover for his outstanding performance that season.^[1] Prior to this, there were no formalized mechanisms for such honors, and records of top performers from the late 1920s remain incomplete, with Clover's recognition marking the earliest documented instance of the club's effort to acknowledge consistent excellence amid the competitive VFL landscape.^[6] In 1934, the award was formalized as the Robert Reynolds Trophy, named in honor of Robert Reynolds, a prominent Melbourne City Councillor, commissioner of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, and dedicated Carlton vice-president who had passed away earlier that year.^[7] The trophy, a silver cup donated by club supporter C. Langsford, was introduced to annually celebrate the player demonstrating the highest standards of skill, consistency, and fair play throughout the season, with Mickey Crisp winning the first edition.^[6] This marked a significant evolution from ad hoc acknowledgments to a structured tradition, aligning with the VFL's growing emphasis on individual merit during an era of team success for Carlton. Through the mid-20th century, the Robert Reynolds Trophy played a key role in highlighting players who embodied reliability during the club's premiership triumphs, such as the 1938 flag won by Mickey Crisp in his second award victory that year.^[6] Similarly, in the post-war resurgence, Ron Savage earned the honor in 1945 amid Carlton's path to another premiership, while the 1947 edition saw a rare tie between Bert Deacon and Ern Henfry during the club's successful defense of the title.^[1] These instances underscored the award's focus on sustained performance under pressure, with early winners like Jim Francis (1935) and Ansell Clarke (1936) exemplifying the blend of toughness and finesse that propelled Carlton's golden periods. John Nicholls later claimed the trophy five times under its original name, further cementing its prestige.^[7]

Renaming and Dedication to John Nicholls

In 2004, the Carlton Football Club officially renamed its best and fairest award from the Robert Reynolds Trophy, which had been in place since 1934, to the John Nicholls Medal, as a tribute to the legendary player's enduring contributions to the club.^[1][2] This change recognized Nicholls' status as a record five-time winner of the award during his career, having claimed it in 1959, 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1967.^[2][7] John Nicholls, a dominant ruckman renowned for his physical presence and tactical acumen, played 328 games for Carlton between 1957 and 1974, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the team's success in the 1950s through 1970s.^[8][9] He captained the club to premiership victories in 1968 and 1970, demonstrating exceptional leadership that extended beyond the field and shaped Carlton's competitive culture during a golden era.^[10][11] The dedication underscored his broader influence, including his role in fostering resilience and team ethos that defined the club's identity.^[2] The inaugural recipient of the renamed John Nicholls Medal was defender David Teague, who polled 492 votes in the 2004 season to edge out competitors and mark the award's new chapter.^[12][13] This transition not only immortalized Nicholls' legacy but also reinforced the medal's prestige within the Australian Football League (AFL) framework.^[1]

Selection Process

Voting System

Prior to 2016, the John Nicholls Medal was determined through votes cast by a panel of five members from Carlton's match committee after each home-and-away game. Each panel member independently distributed up to 20 votes across as many as eight players, with no obligation to use all votes, but limited to a maximum of 10 votes for any single player per game, resulting in a potential maximum of 50 votes available to one player across the panel per match.^[14] In 2016, Carlton aligned its voting process with an AFL-wide coach-based system for club best-and-fairest awards. The senior coach and three assistant coaches independently rank the top four performers from each match, awarding 4 votes to the best, 3 to the second best, 2 to the third, and 1 to the fourth, for a maximum of 16 votes per player per game (4 from each coach).^[15] Votes are tallied cumulatively over the 23 home-and-away rounds, with the highest season total determining the winner. In the event of a tie for the highest vote total, the medal is shared between the players, as occurred in 1986 when Wayne Johnston and Craig Bradley both received the award.^[2] Close contests have highlighted the system's competitiveness; for instance, in 2015 under the pre-2016 format, Patrick Cripps secured the medal with 68 votes, edging out Marc Murphy by a single vote at 67.^[16] The medal is presented at an annual post-season ceremony, typically in early October.^[15]

Ceremony and Eligibility

The John Nicholls Medal count is an annual event held in October at a prominent Melbourne venue, such as the Crown Palladium at Crown Melbourne, where the best and fairest player from Carlton's season is formally presented with the award.^[17] The ceremony features a formal dress code and a three-course meal, creating a celebratory atmosphere with red carpet-style arrivals for players, staff, and guests, often highlighted by media coverage of glamorous outfits and interactions.^[18] Player speeches form a key highlight, allowing the winner and top vote-getters to reflect on their season, with the event also incorporating club honors such as tributes to family members and acknowledgments of past achievements.^[19][20] Eligibility for the John Nicholls Medal is restricted to players on Carlton's senior list who have played at least one senior game during the AFL season, ensuring the award recognizes contributions across the club's competitive roster.^[21] There are no additional barriers for rookies, mid-season draftees, or category B players, provided they meet the game participation threshold and accumulate sufficient votes from the predetermined voting system.^[4] The ceremony integrates seamlessly with other club awards presented on the same night, including the leading goalkicker and rising star honors, fostering a comprehensive recognition of seasonal excellence.^[22] Past winners are often invited to attend, joining in celebrations that emphasize the award's legacy within the Carlton Football Club.^[23] A notable example of the ceremony's significance occurred in 2024, when captain Patrick Cripps claimed his fifth John Nicholls Medal, equaling the record set by the award's namesake; the event included historical references to John Nicholls' contributions, with Cripps delivering a speech that paid tribute to the club's enduring traditions.^[24][25] In 2025, George Hewett was named the medallist in a similar ceremony on October 5 at Crown Palladium, highlighting ongoing individual achievements.^[5] This milestone underscored the ceremony's role in honoring both individual excellence and the medal's historical ties to Carlton's storied past.^[4]

Recipients

Chronological List of Winners

The John Nicholls Medal, recognizing Carlton Football Club's best and fairest player, was first awarded in 1929 as the Best and Fairest, though records for the early years are incomplete, with no confirmed recipients from 1930 to 1933. Renamed the Robert Reynolds Trophy in 1934, it retained that name until 2003 before transitioning to its current name in 2004 to honor club legend John Nicholls. Below is a comprehensive chronological list of winners, including shared awards where applicable; vote counts are included only when publicly documented in official announcements, and positions are noted for select recipients based on contemporary reports. Among single-time winners, George Hewett's 2025 triumph marked a career-best season for the midfielder, who led the club with 160 votes after a consistent campaign that included strong clearance work and disposal efficiency. Similarly, Heath Scotland's 2012 award highlighted his veteran leadership in a rebuilding phase for the club, earning top honors as a hard-running midfielder in his sole victory. David Teague's 2004 win as a defender came during his inaugural season post-trade from West Coast, underscoring his immediate impact on Carlton's backline.

Multiple-Time Winners

Several players have demonstrated sustained excellence by winning the John Nicholls Medal on multiple occasions, reflecting their consistent impact on the Carlton Football Club across different eras. The award's record holders include John Nicholls himself, who secured five medals between 1959 and 1967 as a dominant ruckman and leader during Carlton's successful period in the VFL, and Patrick Cripps, the modern captain who equalled this feat with wins in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024, showcasing his relentless midfield leadership and ball-winning ability in the AFL.^[26][24] Bruce Doull stands out among four-time winners, earning the medal in 1974, 1977, 1980, and 1984 for his exceptional defensive skills as a back-pocket specialist, where he neutralized opposition forwards with precise marking and intercepting during Carlton's premiership-contending years in the 1970s and 1980s.^[26][1] Similarly, Chris Judd claimed three consecutive medals from 2008 to 2010, highlighting his elite midfield dominance, explosive clearance work, and game-changing presence after joining Carlton from West Coast, which helped stabilize the team during a rebuilding phase.^[26][1] Other notable multiple winners include Stephen Kernahan (1987, 1989, 1992) and Craig Bradley (1986 tied with Wayne Johnston, 1988, 1993), both three-time recipients who contributed significantly during Carlton's 1987 premiership season and beyond; Kernahan as a leading forward with his goal-kicking prowess, and Bradley in the midfield.^[26][3] Players like Brett Ratten (1995, 1997, 2000) and John James (1955, 1960, 1961) also achieved three wins each, often anchoring midfield or forward lines in premiership eras.^[26][1] Dual winners provide further examples of repeated excellence amid career challenges, such as Jacob Weitering, who won in 2020 and 2023 despite injury interruptions, earning praise for his key defensive intercepts and rebounding that bolstered Carlton's backline.^[27] Marc Murphy secured two medals in 2011 and 2017 as a reliable midfielder and club stalwart, contributing to team stability over 16 seasons.^[1] These instances of multiple wins are particularly concentrated in Carlton's premiership eras of the 1970s and 1980s, where defensive and midfield stalwarts like Doull, Kernahan, and Bradley thrived in high-stakes environments leading to flags in 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1987.^[26][1]

Significance

Record Holders and Milestones

The all-time record for the most John Nicholls Medals is held jointly by Patrick Cripps and the award's namesake John Nicholls, with each securing five wins. Cripps claimed his first in 2015 before adding victories in 2018, 2019, 2022, and a historic fifth in 2024, equalling Nicholls' longstanding mark from 1959, 1963, and three consecutive triumphs between 1965 and 1967. This 2024 achievement, where Cripps amassed 204 votes from the club's coaches, underscored his dominance and marked only the second time a Carlton player reached this pinnacle.^[4][24] Other notable records include the most consecutive wins, achieved by John Nicholls with three from 1965 to 1967, while several players have secured two in succession, including Bruce Comben (1957–1958), John James (1960–1961), Geoff Southby (1971–1972), Chris Judd (2008–2009), and Patrick Cripps (2018–2019). For single-season performance, Cripps' 204 votes in 2024 stand as a benchmark under the current voting system, where players can earn up to 16 votes per match from the club's four coaches on a 4-3-2-1 scale—a format introduced in 2016 that replaced earlier methods and allows for higher totals in a 22-game season.^[1][24] Key milestones in the award's history include its inception in 1934 as the Robert Reynolds Trophy, first awarded to Mickey Crisp, and its renaming in 2004 to honor John Nicholls, with David Teague as the inaugural recipient under the new title. The most recent milestone came in 2025, when George Hewett won his maiden John Nicholls Medal with 160 votes, capping a standout season and extending the award's legacy into its 92nd year.^[1][5][28] Ties have occurred three times, in 1947 (Bert Deacon and Ern Henfry), 1986 (Craig Bradley and Wayne Johnston), and 2000 (Brett Ratten and Scott Camporeale); in each case, the medal is shared equally among the tied players, with both recognized as official winners and receiving full honors.^[1][29]

Impact on Carlton Football Club

The John Nicholls Medal embodies core Carlton Football Club values such as toughness, leadership, and consistent performance, reflecting the legacy of its namesake, club legend John Nicholls, who captained two premiership teams and won the award five times during his career. It has frequently been awarded to club captains, including Marc Murphy, who claimed his second medal in 2017 while leading the team, and Patrick Cripps, who secured his third in 2019 and fifth in 2024 as co-captain and captain, respectively, underscoring its role in honoring those who exemplify the "Blues'" resilient spirit.^[30][31][4] Winning the medal has often propelled recipients into greater leadership responsibilities and career milestones. For instance, Bryce Gibbs' 2014 victory, his first best-and-fairest award after consistent top-10 finishes since his debut, coincided with his return to the club's leadership group and marked a breakthrough season that highlighted his versatility as a midfielder and half-back.^[32][33] Similarly, Sam Docherty's 2016 win as a defender exemplified his rapid rise and resilience, paving the way for All-Australian selection the following year and later co-captaincy, amid a career defined by overcoming injuries and personal challenges that positioned him as a symbol of perseverance for the club.^[34][35][36] The annual John Nicholls Medal presentation serves as a key club tradition, functioning as the most prestigious social event on the Carlton calendar where players, staff, alumni, and fans unite to celebrate individual excellence and strengthen community ties.^[37] Held at venues like Crown Palladium, these "nights of nights" foster connections among past and present Blues, with former winners often attending to honor new recipients and reinforce the club's historical bonds.^[21] Many medalists have gone on to contribute significantly to premiership successes, including Nicholls himself, whose multiple wins aligned with his leadership in the 1968 and 1970 flags, perpetuating a narrative of the award as a precursor to team triumphs.^[8] In the modern era, the medal continues to inspire amid Carlton's ongoing rebuild, as evidenced by George Hewett's 2025 victory following a career-best season with averages of 28.1 disposals and 6.5 clearances per game, motivating younger players like those in the club's emerging core to emulate his consistency and work ethic during a transitional period.^[5][28] This recent accolade highlights the award's enduring relevance in galvanizing the next generation of Blues.^[38]