AFTER last week becoming only the sixth Essendon player to win the Brownlow Medal, Bombers captain Jobe Watson has taken out the club's best and fairest award for the third time.
Watson was a runaway winner of the Crichton Medal with 551 votes after the best season of his career.
Second-year midfielder Dyson Heppell finished runner-up with 310 votes, and 37-year-old veteran defender Dustin Fletcher finished third (256 votes).
The win consolidated Watson as one of the premier players in the competition.
The 27-year-old won his first best and fairest in 2009, and went back to back in 2010.
He was a clear leader in 2011 and would likely have won it again if not for two hamstring injuries in the second half of the season.
He joins a select group of only 11 Bombers to win three or more best and fairests at the club. Watson's father, Tim, won four.
It ended a terrific season for Watson, who gained his first All Australian jumper. He played every game, averaging 29 disposals, and kicked a career-high 20 goals.
He was also voted the League's best captain by the AFL Players' Association.
Essendon coach James Hird praised his captain's effort. ?
"Jobe is an outstanding leader of our football club, and I think it's fantastic he has received recognition for his impressive season," Hird said. ?
"Jobe's professional attitude towards his preparation meant his body was able to withstand the physical demands of the game and enabled him to perform at a consistent level.
"To win a third Crichton Medal in four years is a great effort, and it just proves the ruthless standards Jobe demands of himself."
Heppell's consistent season was rewarded with his first top-three placing, while it was the fifth time in Fletcher's career he has been in the top three.
Fletcher won the best and fairest in Essendon's 2000 premiership season.
Heppell was awarded the best clubman award, while fellow defenders Michael Hibberd (the Bombers' 'Rising Star' award) and Jake Carlisle (most improved) were also acknowledged. Fletcher was judged the 'best team player'.
Ben Howlett's excellent season was also credited with the tough midfielder taking out the most courageous player award at the club, named after former player Adam Ramanauskas.
Voting
1st Jobe Watson - 551 ?
2nd Dyson Heppell - 310
3rd Dustin Fletcher - 256
4th Brent Stanton - 240
5th Ben Howlett - 232
6th David Zaharakis - 214
7th Courtenay Dempsey - 208
8th Stewart Crameri - 198 ?
9th Patrick Ryder - 195
10th Michael Hurley - 177
Callum Twomey is a reporter for the AFL website. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
