GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield has won his second successive 'Carji' Greeves Medal at Crown Palladium on Friday night, becoming the 12th Cat in the club's history to claim back-to-back awards.
Dangerfield polled 240 votes to win the prestigious gong, beating out Mitch Duncan (222.5 votes) and recruit Zach Tuohy (219.5), who was traded from Carlton in the off-season.
Geelong skipper Joel Selwood finished in fourth place (213.5 votes), and would have placed higher had he not missed three matches with an ankle injury at the tail end of the home and away season.
In fact, not much separated Dangerfield and Selwood throughout the count until the 2016 Brownlow medallist slipped away late in the season.
As he accepted his award on stage, Dangerfield urged his younger teammates to follow in the footsteps of retired champions Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan and ask themselves 'Why not us?' in reference to the success the pair enjoyed at the club over a long journey.
"We've had a successful season but I feel like we're not all that satisfied with being an also-ran," Dangerfield said.
"We're here to be the best and we didn't achieve that this year, but that should be our goal going forward.
"I'm very humbled to accept this award and this is an incredible club to be a part of."
Mature-age draftee Tom Stewart was a revelation for Geelong in 2017, capping an outstanding first season in the blue and white hoops to finish in fifth place (195).
Stewart also took out the club's best young player award, averaging 15 disposals from his 21 matches and looked right at home in the Cats' established back six.
After each game, the coaches rate each player's performance out of 15. To ensure players aren't disadvantaged by injuries or being managed, each player's highest scoring 22 games of the season are added together to give a final score for 2017. Therefore, if a player plays 25 games, his three lowest-scoring games will be eliminated from the total.
Dangerfield averaged 29.9 disposals from 24 games, also ranking No.1 in the AFL for clearances (7.2 per game), No.4 in the AFL for handballs (16.4) and No.2 for inside 50s (5.3).
Patrick Dangerfield receives his 'Carji' Greeves Medal on Thursday night. Picture: krockfootball.com.au
He led the club in disposals, inside 50s and contested possessions and also booted a career-high 45 goals.
The superstar Cat, who finished just three votes adrift of Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin, despite being ineligible, had 14 games with at least 30 disposals and kicked multiple goals on 13 occasions.
Duncan's second-place finish was his highest in eight years at the club, a fine reward for a stellar season in which he averaged a career-high 29.1 disposals per game.
The hard-running midfielder was one of the most unlucky players not to make the Virgin Australia All Australian squad of 40 when it was released in August, with his consistent form continuing into the Cats' finals campaign.
After being acquired from Carlton in last year's Trade Period, Tuohy enjoyed an excellent first year in the blue and white.
The attacking defender averaged a career-high 24.6 disposals per game and 4.8 rebound 50s per game.
Dangerfield joins Selwood, Garry Hocking, Mark Bos, David Clarke, Ian Nankervis, Bruce Nankervis, Graeme 'Polly' Farmer, Tommy Quinn, George 'Jocka' Todd, Dick Grigg and Henry 'Tracker' Young as back-to-back award winners.
Top 10 'Carji' Greeves Medal
1. Patrick Dangerfield (240)
2. Mitch Duncan (225.5)
3. Zach Tuohy (219.5)
4. Joel Selwood (213.5)
5. Tom Stewart (195)
6. Sam Menegola (194)
7. Lachie Henderson (190)
8. Zac Smith (188)
9. Jed Bews (187)
10. Harry Taylor (186.5)
Other awards
VFL Best & Fairest: James Tsitas
VFLW Best & Fairest: Lily Mithen
Tom Harley Award (best clubman): Scott Selwood
Best Young Player: Tom Stewart
Community Champion: Scott Selwood
