HAWTHORN midfielder Jordan Lewis has capped off his career-best season by winning the club's best and fairest award, the Peter Crimmins Medal, for the first time.
Lewis (185 votes) surged to victory on the back of a stellar second half of the year to win comfortably from runner-up Grant Birchall (163) and fellow vice-captain Jarryd Roughead (161).
He polled in 22 of his 24 games and in every game after round 12.
It was the first time the 10-year player has placed in the top three in the Peter Crimmins Medal.
Hawks captain Luke Hodge (159) and Isaac Smith (148) rounded out the top five on an emotional night at Crown Palladium, following Brad Sewell's retirement from the game.
Lewis went to another level in 2014 – leading the Hawks for disposals (average 27.8), contested possessions (10.7), clearances (5.7) and centre clearances (2.4).
In his acceptance speech, he paid particular tribute to Hawks midfield coach Cameron Bruce for turning him into a consistently elite performer.
"We sort of sat down after round five or six and sort of changed the way I played," Lewis said.
"I probably wasn't getting to as many contests as I would've liked and we reviewed a lot of tape and put in place a plan that we thought would improve my football.
"I think as you saw as the year progress I managed to play a lot more consistently than I have in the past."
Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis celebrate the 2014 premiership together. Picture: AFL Media
Lewis also thanked his fiancée Lucy, who he will marry next week, his family, coach Alastair Clarkson and the Hawks' conditioning and medical staff for having the back-to-back premiers peaking on Grand Final day.
He was confident Hawthorn would remain a challenger next season and believed the Hawks could push for three-in-a-row.
"It's been an amazing year and obviously the team success we had this year was just the culmination of things, but (I'm) just so proud of the group that we've got at the moment," he said.
"I look forward to a lot of success in the future and we're definitely in a really good position to challenge again next year."
Taking home the award put the finishing touch on an outstanding season for Lewis, who was honoured with All Australian selection for the first time.
He also stamped his authority on the Grand Final by running riot with 37 possessions – the highest-ever by a Hawks player – and only missed out on winning the Norm Smith Medal by one vote.
The 28-year-old now joins illustrious Hawks company to have won best-and-fairests in premiership seasons, including Leigh Matthews (1971, '76, '78), Peter Knights (1978), Gary Ayres (1986), Jason Dunstall (1988 and '89) and Lance Franklin (2008).
Half-back Birchall clinched his third top-three placing since making his debut in 2006 after another consistent campaign.
The 26-year-old played every game this season and averaged 23.6 disposals per game.
The attacking backman was at his unassuming best with 25 touches in the Grand Final win over the Sydney Swans.
Roughead rounded out the top three after a brilliant season in which he finished runner-up in the Coleman Medal and earned his second All Australian jumper.
The key forward also shrugged off any queries over his finals performances by booting bags of six and five goals in the preliminary and Grand Final, respectively.
Votes for the Peter Crimmins Medal were given by the Hawks' five-man match committee after each game. Sixteen votes is the maximum a player can poll in one match.
Meanwhile, defender Matt Spangher was a popular winner of the Best Clubman award.
Spangher won his first flag last Saturday after watching his teammates at West Coast, the Swans and Hawthorn celebrate premierships.
Speedy defender Angus Litherland was recognised as the Hawks' best first-year player.
Former captain Sam Mitchell took out the award for Best Player in Finals, Shaun Burgoyne was named Most Consistent in 2014 and exciting wingman Bradley Hill was announced as the Most Promising player.
Peter Crimmins Medal
1. Jordan Lewis – 185
2. Grant Birchall – 163
3. Jarryd Roughead – 161
4. Luke Hodge – 159
5. Isaac Smith – 148
6. Shaun Burgoyne – 146
7. Luke Breust – 145
8. Jack Gunston – 137
9. Paul Puopolo – 120
10. Josh Gibson – 114
