Cameron Guthrie has capped off a brilliant season by claiming his first Carji Greeves Medal.
Guthrie claimed the Cats’ best and fairest medal in a close vote, edging out previous winners Tom Hawkins and Mark Blicavs.
The midfielder averaged 21 disposals over 21 games, and earned his first All Australian selection as he helped the Cats reach the AFL Grand Final for the first time since 2011.
Guthrie polled 228 votes to narrowly deny Hawkins (224) a second best and fairest win.
Blicavs came in third with 221 votes, while Patrick Dangerfield (214.5) and Mitch Duncan (213.5) completed the top five.
The accolade comes after Guthrie polled ninth in the Brownlow Medal count on 14, one vote behind Dangerfield on 15.
Earlier this year, Hawkins claimed his first Coleman Medal, with 42 goals in the home and away season, and earned his third All Australian selection.
Blicavs, a two-time winner of the Carji Greeves Medal, was named in the 40-player All Australian squad for the third time.
Dangerfield earned his eighth All Australian team selection and was also named captain for the first time, while Duncan finished second in the AFL’s Gary Ayres Medal for best finals player.
Blicavs and his veteran backline comrade Harry Taylor shared Geelong Cats’ Tom Harley Best Clubman Award.
The award goes to players who demonstrate outstanding care for teammates, invest time and interest in the team and champion the club’s values.
Taylor previously won the award in 2016, while this year was the first for Blicavs.
Brad Close won Best Young Player for his eight-game debut season after being selected in the rookie draft from Glenelg.
Close kicked his first goal with his first kick just one minute into his debut, and picked up 14 disposals, three marks and four tackles when the Cats thrashed Fremantle in round eight.
Skipper Joel Selwood was named as Club Community Champion for his work in programs such as Footy Cats’ annual community camp.
He also promoted Auskick, assisted with multiple wishes through Cats Care and Geelong Cats Foundation’s Healthy Heroes program.
Carji Greeves medal – top 10
Cameron Guthrie 228
Tom Hawkins 224
Mark Blicavs 221
Patrick Dangerfield 214.5
Mitch Duncan 213.5
Sam Menegola 210
Jed Bews 208.5
Jack Henry 205
Mark O’Connor 202
Gryan Miers 194.5
