Midfield ace Jack Steven has etched his name into St Kilda Football Club history, joining Robert Harvey and Bill Cubbins as a four-time winner of the Trevor Barker Award.
Only Nick Riewoldt (six) has won the Saints’ highest honour more times than Steven, who has now won four Trevor Barker Awards in six seasons.
The 28-year-old finished on 191 votes, edging out fellow midfielder Seb Ross (175) and tackling machine Jack Steele (134).
Emerging star Jade Gresham (126) and skipper Jarryn Geary (118) rounded out the top five.
Steven dominated the count early, polling 50 votes in the first six rounds, before finishing with 18 votes in Round 23 to hold off a late charge from Ross.
Senior Coach Alan Richardson said the best-and-fairest was
“Jack really led the way in the first half of this season. While we were inconsistent as a team, Jack continued to deliver week-in,
“Jack sets a great example for our young group and is incredibly important for what we’re trying to build at our footy club.”
The Trevor Barker Award sees five coaches independently award votes between zero and four to players throughout the season to determine the best and fairest.
Richardson also paid tribute to second and third place getters
“Seb backed up his 2017 season with another really consistent year,” Richardson said.
“He’s such an influential leader among our group and that will only grow.
“Jack really made a statement with his second half of the year. He took on some of the game’s best and flourished in his new role.”
“He was outstanding in shutting down the likes of Ollie Wines, Callan Ward and Tom Mitchell, and he’s going to be a big part of our midfield for many years to come.”
Steele was also awarded the Lenny Hayes Player Trademark Award on the night, while Dylan Roberton’s resilience and mateship
Jade Gresham was named Best Emerging Player after kicking 35 goals in his third season, including a bag of six against reigning premiers Richmond in Round 10.
Rounding out the top 10 were important defenders Jimmy Webster and Jake Carlisle, young guns Tim Membrey and Jack Billings, and Daniel McKenzie, who stepped up in the second half of the season.
Trevor Barker Award 2018 Top 10
- Jack Steven (191)
- Seb Ross (175)
- Jack Steele (134)
- Jade Gresham (126)
- Jarryn Geary (118)
- Jimmy Webster (109)
- Jake Carlisle (103)
- Tim Membrey (87)
- Jack Billings (72)
- Daniel McKenzie (69)
