Brendon Goddard and Dyson Heppell have rounded out the podium in Essendon’s 2017 Crichton Medal count.
The award was won by Joe Daniher on 451 votes ahead of Goddard (441 votes) and Heppell (440 votes).
Goddard continued to show why he’s one of the most versatile players in the competition throughout 2017.
The former Essendon Captain excelled at various points in the season as a clearance winning inside midfielder, a wingman and a rebounding defender.
Goddard played every game this season and was one of the Bombers most consistent contributors.
He collected at least 21 disposals in every match and recorded 30 or more in six games.
The 32 year old was ranked in the top three at the Club for average disposals (26.7), handballs (13.2), uncontested possessions (19.2), effective disposals (21.7) and score involvements (6.9).
Goddard won the Crichton Medal in 2013 and played his 300th AFL match in round 11 this season against GWS.
He also played his 100th match for the Bombers against his former Club St Kilda in round 17.
Heppell finished third in the Crichton Medal count and also won the Best Clubman award.
The 25 year old played every match in 2017 and was ranked in the top five at the Club for average disposals (26.4), inside 50s (4.3), goal assists, contested possessions (11.2), uncontested possessions (15.6), clearances (4.7), centre clearances (1.9), stoppage clearances (2.7), metres gained (361.1) and score involvements (6.8).
His possession tally dipped below 20 in only one match (Sydney, round 14) and he recorded four or more tackles in 15 games.
Heppell won the Crichton Medal in 2014 and was also named in the All Australian side that season.
His standout games in 2017 came against Hawthorn in round one when he recorded 34 possessions, seven tackles and kicked three goals.
The skipper was among the best in round three when he picked up 30 possessions and laid eight tackles against Carlton and he was instrumental when the Bombers turned the tables on the Blues in round 20.
He had 34 possessions, took ten marks, laid six tackles and kicked a goal in the victory over the archrival that also kept the Dons finals prospects alive.
