We rate the top-five chances to take home Essendon’s highest individual honour.
Zach Merrett
Zach Merrett is eyeing off his third Crichton Medal after another dominant season in the Dons’ engine room.
Having signed a six-year deal, achieved the 150-game milestone, and made his second Therabody All-Australian side, the 25-year-old will look to cap off a stellar 2021 with the Dons’ highest individual honour to add to his 2016 and 2019 collection.
Merrett was at his industrious best for the Bombers, averaging 31.5 disposals (career-high), 4.2 marks, 4.9 tackles and 3.7 clearances per game.
He produced his best-ever game for disposals when he recorded 41 against Melbourne in round 15, which helped him finish sixth overall for disposals per game in the AFL at seasons end.
Darcy Parish
A raging favourite in many red and black fans’ eyes, Darcy Parish is looking to cap off a remarkable season with his first-ever Crichton Medal.
Parish was no stranger to individual awards in 2021, with the 24-year-old earning an inaugural selection in the Therabody All-Australian side and scooping up the Anzac Medal, Yiooken Award (Dreamtime in Perth) and Tom Wills Medal (Powercor Country Festival game) for best on ground performances.
The silky skilled midfielder averaged 30.5 disposals (career-high) and 7.6 (career-high) clearances in 2021, which was highlighted by breaking a 52-year club record after gathering 44 disposals in this season’s Dreamtime in Perth match.
After starting 2021 as a half forward and only earning an inside-mid opportunity through teammates succumbing to injury, Parish is clearly now one of the Dons’ prime movers and will be right up the top of the leaderboard at the end of the night.
Jake Stringer
Jake Stringer has always been one of the most talented players in the AFL, but 2021 saw his talents rise to a new level.
The 28-year-old was simply superb this season and virtually unstoppable in the second half of the year.
Stringer spent more time in the midfield and recorded career-high games in disposals (29 v Hawthorn, Rd 14) and clearances (nine v Sydney, Rd 21).
Yet, Stringer was versatile up forward, drawing on his natural scoring ability to register 41 majors to lead the Dons’ goalkicking tally.
It was a complete forward/ midfield year for Stringer, and his games will not go unrewarded from the coaching staff.
Jordan Ridley
The reigning Crichton medallist has not put a foot wrong in his title defence this year.
An absolute rock in the backline, the 22-year-old was again an intercepting beast, nullifying opposing forward thrusts at every opportunity.
Ridley was rated elite for marks, averaging six per game this season. Ridley also averaged 21.1 disposals (career-best) and 417 metres-gained (80 per cent increase on career average).
The young defender is reliable and highlighted his versatility by blanketing small and tall forwards.
Arguably, Ridley has had a better year in 2021 than his award-winning season last year and could become the Dons’ first back-to-back winner since Jobe Watson’s 2009-10 honours.
Jayden Laverde
It’s hard at the best of times to find a one-on-one key defender who has the ability to peel off, impact contests and intercept attacks.
However, the Dons found a gem in forward-turned-defender Jayden Laverde.
Before this season, the 25-year-old had struggled with injury and form after initially being selected with pick No.20 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft – playing only 46 games in six seasons.
Yet, after conversations with senior coach Ben Rutten who identified his potential to be an influential backman, Laverde has repaid the faith in a big way.
Laverde played all 23 games in 2021 and averaged career highs in disposals (14), and intercept marks (2.2) per game.
Jordan Ridley’s win last year showed that impact rather than stats can have a big influence over the coaching staff’s votes.
Laverde certainly fits that mould having comfortably become one of the most important members of the Dons’ back six.
