Geelong midfielder Cameron Guthrie has capped off a brilliant season by claiming the club’s AFL best and fairest award.
Guthrie was awarded the Carji Greeves Medal in a close vote, edging out previous winners Tom Hawkins and Mark Blicavs.
“It’s a big honour. Looking at the honour boards every day and seeing the names up there, I feel privileged and proud to be involved in the club and to be recognised like this,” Guthrie said.
“I would like to congratulate Tom and Mark on outstanding seasons … I don’t think there was one standout player for the year. This award could have gone to many others.”
28-year-old Guthrie polled 228 votes to narrowly deny Hawkins (224) a second best and fairest win. Blicavs came in third with 221 votes, while Patrick Dangerfield (214.5) and Mitch Duncan (213.5) competed the top five.
“… I’d like to give a big thank you to Scotty (Chris Sott) for being a great coach and a great person around the club for the last 10 years. I couldn’t imagine playing under another coach. I really enjoy our relationship,” Guthrie added.
Guthrie averaged 21 disposals over 21 games and earned his first All-Australian selection as he helped the Cats reach the grand final for the first time since 2011, which they lost to Richmond at the Gabba by 31 points.
Hawkins claimed his first Coleman mMedal and earned his third All-Australian selection.
Blicavs, a two-time winner of the ‘Carji’, was named in the 40-player All-Australian squad for the third time.
Dangerfield was named in his eighth All-Australian team and was also named captain for the first time, and Duncan finished second in the Gary Ayres medal for best finals player.