Tom Mitchell's influence occasionally came into question this year but there can be little doubt about the way Hawthorn's match committee feel about him after the first-year Hawk was a runaway winner of the Peter Crimmins medal.
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The Hawks' match committee also rated the final season in brown and gold of club great and future hall of famer Luke Hodge, with the dual Norm Smith medallist and three-time premiership captain finishing third in his final Hawthorn best and fairest count ahead of his almost certain move to the Brisbane Lions.
Mitchell entered the count as the overwhelming favourite, and that proved justified. The former Sydney Swan polled 192 votes, finishing 54 votes clear of runner-up Ben McEvoy, who had a career-best season in the ruck.
Mitchell played every game for the Hawks in 2017, breaking the AFL record for the most disposals in a home and away season with 787. He also polled 25 votes in the Brownlow medal despite the Hawks missing the top eight for the first time since 2009. It is the sixth time in 12 seasons a player named Mitchell has won the medal, with Tom's namesake Sam Mitchell having won five Hawthorn best and fairest awards before leaving the club at the end of last season.
Hodge was seven votes adrift of McEvoy on 131, while youngster Ryan Burton - who many considered unlucky to miss out on this year's Rising Star award - finished fourth on 117 votes.
Captain Jarryd Roughead marked his return to football following his cancer battle by finishing sixth, while the seemingly ageless Shaun Burgoyne again made the top 10, placing ninth.
Hodge was also named the Hawks' most consistent player, while Burton was awarded the most promising player award. Irishman Conor Glass - who played six games in the back half of the season - picked up the best first year player award, and vice-captain Liam Shiels was named best clubman as well as finishing 10th.
Peter Crimmins Medal Top 10
1. Tom Mitchell 192 votes
2. Ben McEvoy 138 votes
3. Luke Hodge 131 votes
4. Ryan Burton 117 votes
5. Isaac Smith 111 votes
6. Jarryd Roughead 107 votes
7. Jack Gunston 104 votes
7. James Sicily 104 votes
9. Shaun Burgoyne 100 votes
10. Liam Shiels 91 votes
Club awards
Best Clubman - Liam Shiels
Best First Year Player - Conor Glass
Most Consistent - Luke Hodge
Most Promising Player - Ryan Burton
