DANIEL Wells' breakthrough 2011 season has been rewarded with his maiden North Melbourne best and fairest award.    

In Wednesday night's Syd Barker Medal count, Wells finished in a tie with Andrew Swallow, who claimed his second North best and fairest following his 2009 win and third-place finish in last year's count, one vote behind joint winners Brent Harvey and Brady Rawlings.

Wells' win was just reward for a remarkable year in which he overcame groin problems that had hampered him since 2009 to display the most consistent form of his nine-season career, only to suffer life-threatening blood clots late in the season.

Just as significantly, Wells changed many people's perceptions of him as a footballer. Previously seen as a graceful player who mainly hurt opposition teams with his run and precise foot skills, Wells again showcased those skills, but also unveiled a tougher, inside edge to his game - along with newfound consistency.

"I've waited a long time to put a really good season together," Wells told the 850 club staff and supporters who attended the count at Crown Palladium.

"I've copped a lot of criticism since I came to this great club, probably rightly so in the early days. But this club has supported me like no other. They have given me every opportunity to be the player I want to be.

"I want to thank all the people who have believed in me."

Wells told afl.com.au last month that his blood clots, which were not diagnosed until after he returned home from shoulder surgery following North's round 23 loss to St Kilda, were so serious that his decision not to play in round 24 against Richmond could have saved his life.

But, ultimately, it will be Wells' football in 2011 that's best remembered. The 26-year-old midfielder, who previous best finish in the Syd Barker was equal second in 2006, averaged 23.4 possessions a game, led North for kicks, was second for clearances, equal second for total disposals and third for contested possessions. He was rewarded with a place in the All Australian squad.
 
At the end of Wednesday night's count, Wells and Swallow were locked on 46 votes, 10 votes clear of Drew Petrie (third on a countback) and five-time winner Harvey.

Swallow's remarkable run in the Syd Barker over the past three years highlights his emergence as one of the game's best midfielders.

Swallow, 24, said he felt "privileged" to play for North Melbourne and paid tribute to his teammates.

"We probably didn't get to where we wanted to this year. But I think we've got bigger and better things ahead of us," he said.

Earlier Wells had sung his midfield partner's praises.

"'Spitta' is definitely one of the elite players in the competition now," Wells said.

"He is one of our leaders and we all look to him. Even though he is younger than me, he's definitely going to lead this club in the right direction in the future."

In 2011, Swallow joined Wells in the All Australian squad after averaging 25.5 possessions a game and finishing third in the League for clearances (148) in the home and away season, fourth in hardball gets (146) and equal fifth in tackles (145). Swallow also led North in these areas, along with handballs, disposals and contested possessions.

He had 30 or more disposals in eight games, with his biggest haul coming in round 11 against Adelaide, when he racked up 39 touches that included 27 contested possessions, 17 clearances and two goals.

Remarkably, 17 of Swallow's possessions that night came in the first quarter. North's coaching staff certainly rated Swallow's game - it earned the maximum five votes available under North's voting system, the only performance to do so all year.

Swallow was also North's leading vote-getter in this year's Brownlow Medal, finishing with 16 votes.

Petrie was another of the night's feel-good stories. The North vice-captain played just two games in 2010 after breaking his left foot once and his right foot twice. But Petrie returned in 2011 and soon hit the best form of his career.

Stationed as a deep forward save for occasional stints in the ruck, Petrie was a colossus inside North's forward 50, taking the third most contested marks (49) in the competition in the home and away season, finishing eighth on the League goalkicking table (with a career-high 48 goals) and achieving his first All Australian selection.

The athletic tall turns 29 on October 15 but has never been a more imposing on-field presence. Petrie's high marking was the standout feature of his play in 2011 - he took six speccies that were nominated for mark of the year.

Petrie's finish was his fourth top-five placing in North's best and fairest and his best result since he was a narrow second to Harvey in 2008.

Harvey's fourth placing underlined just what an important player the 33-year-old continued to be for the Kangaroos in 2011. Given the remarkable consistency he has shown over his 16-season career, North fans can expect more Harvey magic next season.

The top-10 placegetters were rounded out (in order of finish) by Leigh Adams, Jack Ziebell, Todd Goldstein, Brady Rawlings, Aaron Edwards and Scott Thompson.

Of the night's other awards, Petrie won the Jason McCartney Award (most courageous player), Cameron Pedersen best first-year player, recent retiree Rawlings best clubman, Jamie Macmillan the community award, Ziebell the Northerners Award and Swallow the Blackwoods supporters player of the year.

Also on the night, dual premiership player and former captain Anthony Stevens was inducted into North's Hall of Fame, along with Sid Dyer, Kevin Dynon and Frank Trainor, while Les Foote was elevated to Legend status.