After last weekbecoming only the sixth Essendon player to win the Brownlow Medal, Bomberscaptain Jobe Watson has taken out the club's best and fairest award for thethird time.

Watson was arunaway winner of the Crichton Medal with 551 votes after the best season ofhis career. Second-year midfielder Dyson Heppell finished runner-up with 310votes, and 37-year-old veteran defender Dustin Fletcher finished third (256votes).

The winconsolidated Watson as one of the premier players in the competition.

In front of more than thirteen hundredloyal Essendon supporters, the Bombers captain said he was truly humbled to beannounced the Bomber’s best and fairest for 2012.

“It has been a surreal couple of weeks andI’m truly honoured to be named the 2012 Crichton Medallist,” said Watson.

“I love playing for the Essendon FootballClub and while individual accolades are great, we play football to achievesuccess as a team, and that’s something I know this group has their sights seton.”

The 27-year-oldwon his first best and fairest in 2009, and went back to back in 2010. He was aclear leader in 2011 and would likely have won it again if not for twohamstring injuries in the second half of the season.

He joins a selectgroup of only 11 Bombers to win three or more best and fairests at the club. Watson'sfather, Tim, won four.

It ended aterrific season for Watson, who gained his first All Australian jumper. Heplayed every game, averaging 29 disposals, and kicked a career-high 20 goals.

He was also voted the League's best captain by theAFL Players' Association.

Essendon coachJames Hird praised his captain's effort.

""Jobe is anoutstanding leader of our football club, and I think it's fantastic he hasreceived recognition for his impressive season,"" Hird said.

""Jobe'sprofessional attitude towards his preparation meant his body was able towithstand the physical demands of the game and enabled him to perform at aconsistent level.

""To win athird Crichton Medal in four years is a great effort, and it just proves theruthless standards Jobe demands of himself.""

Heppell'sconsistent season was rewarded with his first top-three placing, while it wasthe fifth time in Fletcher's career he has been in the top three. Fletcher wonthe best and fairest in Essendon's 2000 premiership season.

Heppell wasawarded the best clubman award, while fellow defenders Michael Hibberd (theBombers' 'Rising Star' award) and Jake Carlisle (most improved) were alsoacknowledged. Fletcher was judged the 'best team player'.

Ben Howlett'sexcellent season was also credited with the tough midfielder taking out themost courageous player award at the club, named after former player AdamRamanauskas.

2012 Crichton Medal
1^st Jobe Watson – 551
2^nd Dyson Heppell – 310
3^rd Dustin Fletcher – 256
4^th Brent Stanton – 240
5^th Ben Howlett – 232
6^th David Zaharakis –214
7^th Courtenay Dempsey –208
8^th Stewart Crameri –198
9^th Patrick Ryder – 195
10^th Michael Hurley – 177

Get your commemorative Crichton Medal pin set from the Bomber Shop now.