Six-time Trevor Barker Award winner Nick Riewoldt has capped off a stunning 2016 campaign by finishing third in Thursday night’s best and fairest, falling narrowly short of runner-up Jarryn Geary.

The Saints’ longest serving Captain, who announced his decision to step down as skipper earlier in the night, was one of the most consistent vote getters in the count, accumulating votes across the entire season.

Riewoldt, 33, polled votes in the first ten games before hurting his knee in the disappointing trip to Adelaide Oval in Round 11.

Following a strong patch between Round 5 and 7, Riewoldt grasped the lead off eventual winner, Jack Steven, and held an advantage from the reigning champion until after the big loss against the Crows.

Across the back nine, the five-time All Australian accrued votes in all but two games, with his phenomenal performance against Brisbane in the final round of the season collecting the maximum 20 votes – the only time this occurred all season.

While some players took the foot off the pedal in the closing five games of the season, Riewoldt finished better than anyone else in the field to open up some distance between the podium and Leigh Montagna, who finished in fourth place, narrowly ahead of young wingman, Jack Newnes.

Where did he poll?

Round 6 v Melbourne (16 votes) – 24 disposals, 14 marks, 7 inside 50s, 3 goals

Round 7 v North Melbourne (15 votes) – 24 disposals, 16 marks (4 contested), 3 goals

Round 18 v Western Bulldogs (10 votes) – 19 disposals, 10 marks, 4 goals

Round 20 v Carlton (11 votes) – 21 disposals, 16 marks, 6 inside 50s

Round 23 v Brisbane (20 votes) – 26 disposals, 21 marks (12 inside 50), 15 score involvements, 9 goals