Several players had career-best seasons, while some more seasoned campaigners again reached their lofty standards.
All will be revealed at Crown Palladium on Wednesday night but until then, kangaroos.com.au details those who could be in the mix to claim North Melbourne's most prestigious award.
Who do you think will win the Syd Barker Medal? Register your vote in the poll below.
Don't forget, supporters will be able to stream the event live via the club's website from 7.00pm.
(in alphabetical order)
Leigh Adams
A proven vote-getter with a third-place finish last year, Adams played all but one game and apart from a brief quiet patch mid-season, was very consistent.
His fearless approach makes him one of the coaches' first picked every week.
Aaron Edwards
Inconsistency has hurt Aaron Edwards' chances of a regular spot since his debut in 2007, but more opportunities and a new-found confidence made the difference.
Eye-catching games against Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Fremantle and Richmond could make him an outside chance.
Michael Firrito
An ever-reliable performer, Firrito rarely had a bad game in 2011 and in a count that rewards consistency, he'll surely receive his share of votes.
Defenders are not traditionally high vote-winners, so that might be against Firrito.
Todd Goldstein
In the absence of Hamish McIntosh, Goldstein stepped up to a level well beyond anyone's expectations and his years.
Now considered one of the premier rucks in the league, he amassed the second-highest hit-out tally of all time in a home and away season.
He polled six votes in the Brownlow Medal (equal fourth at club), but warrants even more respect internally after a break-out year.
Unlucky to miss out on All-Australian selection.
Brent Harvey
A chance to win the Syd Barker for the sixth time, the games-record holder had some quiet weeks but also some match-winning performances.
He kicked 30 goals for the year and averaged around 22 possessions in a slightly different role with more time in attack, but was as brilliant as ever at the age of 33.
Boomer is sure to be right in it.
Scott McMahon
He's not the type that polls Brownlow votes, but McMahon's team-orientated game doesn't go unnoticed at Aegis Park.
He had arguably the best game of his career in round 20 against the Hawks and will likely get the top nod for votes with some stiff competition from Matt Campbell.
Another who's an outside chance, but rarely plays a bad game.
Cameron Pedersen
It looks unlikely that he’d having played just 14 games, but what a story it would be if the first-year mature age rookie was considered in the top echelon at North on Wednesday night.
His effort in round one against Dean Cox deserves plenty of accolades and on several occasions, he was an unlikely hero whether it be in defence or attack.
Along with Kieran Harper and Shaun Atley, Pedersen could be fighting it out for the best first-year player award as well.
Drew Petrie
One of North's most important players, it looked like he hadn't missed a beat upon his return from injury.
Petrie single-handedly tore games apart on several occasions with his remarkable contested marking and amazing goals. The vice-captain could be in line for best-on-ground honours in at least four or five games.
He polled 11 votes in the Brownlow Medal (second behind Andrew Swallow) and a top-five finish in the club champion looks a near-certainty given his form.
Petrie led the club for marks (129) and goals (48) in a terrific All-Australian year.
Brady Rawlings
It'd be the perfect finish to a career that's already netted three Syd Barker's, but it'll be a little tougher for Rawlings in 2011.
Used mainly in defence, the deputy vice-captain didn't have the same impact as last year, but will go close to best-on-ground in several games including the round 13 match against the Bombers.
Wherever he finishes, he'll go down as one of the club's greatest ever players.
Andrew Swallow
Winner in 2009 and runner-up in 2010 by just one vote, Swallow could take home his second medal on Wednesday night at just 24 years of age.
The statistics are all in favour of the young star who was first at the club, and seventh in the league for clearances, 11th in the league for tackles with an average of over 25 disposals a game. He was also in the All-Australian squad of 40.
Scott Thompson
Thompson was one of North's best players in several games and excelled most on the rebound out of defence.
A stand-out game against the Swans' Adam Goodes was a highlight and he finished with nine games over 20 possessions - a great effort for someone previously more comfortable deep in defence.
Daniel Wells
His brilliance seemed to go somewhat unnoticed by the umpires with just five Brownlow votes (after nine last year), but there's no doubt that it was Wells' most consistent season.
Unlike others, he doesn't need to get a huge amount of possessions to have an impact, so with more than 22 possessions a game he was terribly damaging.
A lean patch at the end of the year due to a health issue may be costly, but his best games against the Dockers, Demons and Suns should get him maximum votes.
Jack Ziebell
Critics had the former first-round pick earmarked for a spell in the reserves after a very slow start to the year, but he was able to prove them wrong.
He didn't register over 19 possessions in the first nine rounds, but came home with a huge run which included a 41-disposal effort against the Bulldogs.
The voting will no doubt reflect his poor start, but watch out later in the evening.
