Grundy, Cripps claim club champion awards

Ruckman Brodie Grundy has capped off a stellar AFL season, claiming the E.W. Copeland Trophy as Collingwood’s best and fairest on Friday night.

Grundy is a back-to-back winner of the award, having shared it with Steele Sidebottom in 2018.

The 25-year-old finished sixth in this year’s Brownlow Medal and his latest award arguably strengthens his case for a blockbuster new contract.

The All-Australian ruckman is a free agent at the end of 2020 and is believed to be seeking a seven-year contract from the Magpies.

Grundy claimed the award with 174 votes, ahead of captain Scott Pendlebury (158 votes), with Jack Crisp (147 votes), Adam Treloar (141 votes) and Brayden Maynard (124 votes) rounding out the top five.

Elsewhere, Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps became the youngest Blue to win three John Nicholls Medals as the club’s best and fairest.

The 24-year-old edged out veteran Ed Curnow with 143 votes to 138.

Defender Lachie Plowman (134 votes), Rising Star winner Sam Walsh (125 votes) and rejuvenated veteran Levi Casboult (116 votes) completed the top five.

Eight years after winning his first club best and fairest, Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak claimed his second John Cahill Medal.

Boak (179 votes) claimed the award ahead of improving defender Darcy Byrne-Jones (168 votes) and Dan Houston (167 votes).

Youngster Connor Rozee (131 votes) finished fourth and was named the club’s best player under 21, while reliable defender Tom Clurey and co-captain Tom Jonas tied for fifth with 130 votes apiece.

Meanwhile tough midfielder Ben Cunnington capped off an outstanding season when he was named North Melbourne’s club champion.

Cunnington won his second Syd Barker Medal with 242 votes, winning the award from defender Robbie Tarrant (227 votes).

After turning his back on free agency to re-sign with the Kangaroos, veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein (192 votes) finished third on a countback ahead of Trent Dumont (192 votes).

Ben Brown (190 votes) claimed fifth place ahead of skipper Jack Ziebell (190 votes) on a countback.

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