Riewoldt's fifth B&F win sets new Saints record

NICK Riewoldt has created St Kilda history by winning his fifth club best and fairest.

Riewoldt won the 2009 award just one week after the Saints’ narrow grand final loss to Geelong. His previous wins came in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Riewoldt’s fifth win surpassed  St Kilda games record holder Robert Harvey and club champion Bill Cubbins’ tally of four best and fairest awards.

The award capped a brilliant year for Riewoldt who earned his fourth All Australian guernsey, and had the added honour of being named captain.

Barker’s father Jack presented the award to Riewoldt at the Peninsula in Docklands on Saturday night.

The Saints captain said any number of players could have won the best and fairest, such was the even team performance in such a successful year.

“It was a real strength of our team this year that it could have been anyone standing up here. It is very humbling and bordering on embarrassing to be standing up here and individualise,” the 26-year-old said.

He also paid tribute to club supporters, the coaching staff, parents Joe and Fiona, siblings Madeleine and Alex and partner Stephanie.

Riewoldt played 24 games this year, kicked 78 goals and took 231 marks.

Voting for the Trevor Barker Award is based on allocating players a score on a scale of 1-10, with five members of the coaching panel independently submitting their votes after each round.

Riewoldt finished with 642 votes ahead of Brendon Goddard (638), Leigh Montagna (635), Nick Dal Santo (618) and Lenny Hayes (603).

Defender Zac Dawson took out the award for most promising new player, midfielder Clint Jones was awarded the Robert Harvey Most Professional Player Award, while St Kilda retirees Max Hudghton and Jarryd Allen were also recognised for their services to the club.

2009 Trevor Barker Award Top 10
Nick Riewoldt 642
Brendon Goddard 638
Leigh Montagna 635
Nick Dal Santo 618
Lenny Hayes 603
Clint Jones 587
Sam Fisher 531
Sam Gilbert 521
Jason Blake 487
Jason Gram 463