SCOTT Thompson has capped off a remarkable season, winning his first Malcolm Blight Medal at Adelaide's club champion award presentation on Friday night.
Thompson polled in 19 of the 22 games, amassing 83 votes to comfortably take home the gold jacket ahead of runner-up Nathan van Berlo, who received 50 votes in his highest-ever finish in the award.
Van Berlo finished 12 votes clear of reliable defenders Graham Johncock and Ben Rutten, who tied for third place with 38 votes.
Thompson was the only Crow to poll a maximum eight votes in any one match, earning top marks for his record-breaking 51-possession game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round 22.
The Malcolm Blight Medal was a fitting reward for the pre-count favourite, who was the only South Australian-based player to earn selection in the preliminary 40-man All Australian squad announced earlier in the week.
The 28-year-old finished second in the AFL in disposals (673), and was top-five in handball receives and top-10 in clearances.
The club champion award win was a breakthrough for Thompson, who had finished in the top three in the count in three of the previous four years.
The former Melbourne onballer was voted into the Crows' leadership group for the first time this season, and said the new role had contributed to his rise to elite-midfielder status.
"I think I've grown into that leadership role," Thompson said.
"Early days, as a young player you tend to think about your own performance and want to get your own backyard sorted before you start thinking about what's going on around you.
"Over the past couple of years I've got my game to a standard where I'm comfortable looking out for others and trying to improve them as players and leaders as well, and I think it has improved my performance.
"I've got two young kids at home, who definitely make me stop thinking about footy as soon as I walk in the front door, so that also helps."
Thompson was presented on stage three times on Friday night also winning the coach's and 19th man award, voted by the club's members and supporters.
In typically modest fashion, the former first-round draft pick said he was "humbled" to receive the swag of awards.
"It's nice to get recognised for a decent season," he said.
"I get frustrated at the season we've had team-wise and tend to brush over individual performances when I'd much rather be playing finals football right now.
"Hopefully, going forward I can build on that and the team can build, push back into the final eight and get the success I think we're worthy of."
Veteran Michael Doughty, who confirmed he had agreed to the terms of a one-year contract extension with the club, was awarded the best team man award.
Skilful defender Matt Jaensch received the award for emerging talent, while promising centre half-back Daniel Talia followed in the footsteps of predecessor and Greater Western Sydney recruit Phil Davis, taking out the Mark Bickley award for achievements of a first or second-year player on and off the field.
Adelaide club champion top 10
1. Scott Thompson (83 votes)
2. Nathan van Berlo (50)
3. Graham Johncock (38), Ben Rutten (38)
5. Patrick Dangerfield (35)
6. Rory Sloane (34)
7. Bernie Vince (33)
8. Sam Jacobs (31)
9. Brent Reilly (28)
10. Kurt Tippett (25)
