CARLTON defender Sam Docherty has broken through to win his maiden best and fairest.
The half-back polled 179 votes in a season he was nominated in the All Australian squad after a stellar season that saw him play every game.
He was ranked second in the competition for marks and third for rebound 50s. The 22-year-old averaged close to 26 disposals per game.
Fellow backman Kade Simpson was runner-up with 169 votes while young midfielder Patrick Cripps (168) rounded out the top three.
Docherty finished sixth in the John Nicholls Medal last season after being ninth in 2014. He arrived in a trade at the end of 2013 when the club gave up No.33 in that year's NAB AFL Draft.
He supported the Blues as a child before he was drafted to the Brisbane Lions.
"I was pretty lucky, I got to interview a few clubs. It turned out Carlton was just the best fit for me," Docherty said.
"It was more of a business decision. Choosing Carlton was just the right choice for me and the right place to go."
Along with being announced as club champion on Friday at Crown Palladium, Docherty was also handed the award for most improved.
Blues coach Brendon Bolton paid tribute to Docherty's season.
"Sam has been outstanding for us this season, and is a very deserving winner of the John Nicholls Medal," Bolton said.
"He is a really intelligent footballer and has learnt to become almost an extension of the coaching panel out on the field this year. He has a clear hunger and drive to continually develop with every game he plays.
"Sam also consistently sets a high level of leadership and professionalism at our club. We are confident Sam will have a long and bright future at the Blues."
A new voting system was used by Carlton for its best and fairest. Four coaches (Bolton and three assistants) hand out 0-4 votes to each player after every game.
One vote was given for a player performing as expected, while four was handed out for an outstanding effort.
Simpson, 32, announced on Thursday he had signed a contract to play on in 2017. He too was nominated in the All Australian squad of 40.
Cripps' spot in third came after he took home the best and fairest last year. The 21-year-old was No.1 in the competition for clearances per game and contested possessions per game.
The No.1 selection in 2015, Jacob Weitering, was named best first-year player. He finished third in the NAB AFL Rising Star on Tuesday.
Top 10 leaderboard
1. Sam Docherty – 179
2. Kade Simpson – 169
3. Patrick Cripps – 168
4. Bryce Gibbs – 149
5. Ed Curnow – 115
=6. Matthew Wright – 114
=6. Sam Rowe – 114
8. Zach Tuohy – 91
9. Matthew Kreuzer – 83
10. Sam Kerridge – 82
