Sam Walsh evades Gryan Miers during the Elimination Final between Geelong and Carlton at the MCG, September 4, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

CARLTON star Sam Walsh is now a dual John Nicholls Medal winner, capping a stellar season by claiming his second Blues best and fairest in a wire-to-wire victory on Sunday night.

The win saw Walsh add to his gong from 2021 and become just the 24th Carlton player to claim multiple John Nicholls Medals, crowning a season where he also rejected lucrative free agency interest to sign an eight-year extension.

Walsh polled 212 votes to ease to victory in the Blues' best and fairest count, significantly clear of recruit Ollie Florent (177 votes) and captain Patrick Cripps (176 votes).

Sam Walsh kicks the ball during Carlton's clash against Fremantle in round seven, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

It followed a campaign where Walsh was consistently at his prolific and courageous best to average 29.1 disposals, 4.4 clearances, 4.1 tackles and a career-high 7.0 score involvements per match.

Telstra Rising Star winner Jagga Smith finished fourth and young defender Lachie Cowan fifth, with Nick Haynes, Harry Dean, George Hewett, Ben Ainsworth and Francis Evans rounding out the top 10.

Will Hayward cleaned up a host of other awards on the night, winning Best Clubman, the Coaches' Award and the Spirit of Carlton Award, while Smith capped his debut season with the Best Young Player and the Interstate Coterie Award.

First-year defender Dean not only finished inside the top 10 of his maiden Carlton best and fairest count, but also won the Players' Award and the Bill Lanyon Inner Blue Ruthless Award.

Jagga Smith celebrates a goal for Carlton against Melbourne in the 2026 wildcard final. Picture: AFL Photos

Jacob Weitering won the Best Finals Player after steering Carlton to victory in a wildcard win over Melbourne, while Walsh combined his John Nicholls Medal victory with the Carltonians William A. Cook Award.

The John Nicholls Medal is voted on by the senior coach and three assistants giving each player up to four votes at the end of every round, meaning a maximum of 16 votes can be awarded to a player per game.

2026 John Nicholls Medal

1. Sam Walsh – 212
2. Ollie Florent – 177
3. Patrick Cripps – 176
4. Jagga Smith – 167
5. Lachie Cowan – 150
6. Nick Haynes – 140
7. Harry Dean – 136
8. George Hewett – 127
=9. Ben Ainsworth – 126
=9. Francis Evans – 126
 
Best Young Player: Jagga Smith
Best Clubman: Will Hayward
Coaches' Award: Will Hayward
Players' Award: Harry Dean
Best Finals Player: Jacob Weitering
Carltonians William A. Cook Award: Sam Walsh
Bill Lanyon Inner Blue Ruthless Award: Harry Dean
Spirit of Carlton Award: Will Hayward
Interstate Coterie Award: Jagga Smith