Jack Steven

The reigning Trevor Barker Award winner will head into Thursday night’s count as the favourite following another stunning season by the game breaking midfielder. If the 26-year-old salutes, he will enter rare territory at St Kilda, becoming just the 10th player in the clubs 143-year history to win the best and fairest on three occasions.

To put the achievement into some context, Lenny Hayes, Darrel Baldock and Nathan Burke are all three-time winners, while recently elevated legend Robert Harvey has four of his own. And then there’s Nick Riewoldt, who sits out in front with a staggering six Trevor Barker Awards.

Steven, who was the sole Saint included in this year’s All Australian squad, played every game in 2016, averaging career-highs and St Kilda season-highs for disposals (28.0), contested possessions (11.3) and clearances (5.5), as well as 5.3 inside 50s (No. 1 at St Kilda), 5.6 tackles (No. 2) and 52.2 pressure points (No. 1).

Where he will poll:

Expect to see the ball magnet get off to a strong start in the opening round against Port Adelaide, but he will surge through the middle part of the season between Round 9 and 18. He starts that run with 40 possessions against Essendon in masterful performance and also has 32 against the Dockers, 25 and three goals against Geelong, another 41 against the Bombers and 39 in the win over the Western Bulldogs in Round 18. If he is to win, Steven will get it done in this period.

Nick Riewoldt

With the captain’s phenomenal performance on Sunday still front of mind, could he add a seventh best and fairest to his overflowing trophy cabinet on Thursday night? If he was to get up at this year’s Trevor Barker Award, Riewoldt would become just the eighth player in VFL/AFL history to win seven club best and fairest’s. That exclusive clique contains some of the game’s all-time greats: Leigh Matthews, Kevin Murray, Bob Skilton, Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison.

The 33-year-old rewound the clock this year to produce one of his best seasons in recent times. Playing predominantly on a wing to allow the next generation time and space to develop inside 50, the St Kilda champion averaged career-highs for disposals (20.8), uncontested possessions (15.9) and marks (10.6). He had 49 more marks than any other player in the home and away season, posting an incredible 222 across 21 games – the most since Brian Lake hauled in 240 (in 25 games) in 2010.

Where he will poll:

In a run between Rounds 5 and 7, Riewoldt signals his intent early, booting 10 goals and averaging 24.3 possessions and 13.7 marks in that time. He took an incredible 16 marks against North Melbourne in Round 7 to nearly will the Saints over the line against the undefeated Roos. The five-time All Australian also finished the year with a flurry, starting with a four-goal, 10-mark effort against the Dogs in Round 18, before closing out the year with nine goals and 21 marks against Brisbane in a performance that will be etched in supporters memories for years to come.

Jarryn Geary

Outside the four walls of the St Kilda Football Club, Jarryn Geary is one of the most underrated players in the game, rarely receiving the plaudits his performances warrant. But inside the club, the reliable small defender is highly regarded for his ability to get the job done each week. With Shane Savage, Dylan Roberton and Leigh Montagna providing dash and dare out of defensive 50, Geary locks down on the opposition’s best small or medium-sized forward and limits their impact.

Geary’s brightest moment this season came on St Kilda’s darkest day. In the big loss against Adelaide in Round 11, with injury carnage to key defenders and an enormous inside 50 discrepancy, the Saints leader quelled the influence of the premier small forward in the land, Eddie Betts. While the Crows kicked 19 goals for the day, Betts was held to just a single goal. It was one of many strong performances by Geary in 2016, following on from his career-best 2015 season where he finished fifth in the Trevor Barker Award. Expect another high finish from the former rookie.

Where he will poll:

The middle stage of the year is where Geary reigns supreme. Look for the games where he performed crucial roles. Round 11 is the pick of the bunch, but the week earlier against former All Australian Hayden Ballantyne and the lively Michael Walters was top notch. As was his effort on Daniel Menzel in Round 14 and Jeff Garlett in Round 17. And just like in Adelaide, Geary was one of only a few to stand tall in the disappointing performance against Gold Coast in Round 15.

Seb Ross

After a frustrating 2015 that was cruelled by injury, emerging midfielder Seb Ross has flourished this season, producing a career best year. Renowned for his ability at the coal face prior to this year, Ross has added an increased outside game in 2016 to make a significant impact.

Along with Tom Hickey and Tim Membrey, Ross has been one of the most improved players at Linen House Centre this season. His numbers have leapt off the page, moving from 18.2 possessions last year to 26.5 this year, from 2.6 inside 50s to 4.6, from 3.2 clearances to 4.0, and most significantly, from 11.7 uncontested possessions to 18.9 in 2016. After never previously acquiring 30 possessions in a game prior to this season, Ross has now done it on eight occasions. It’s been a stellar rise.

Where he will poll:

Ross’ best performances are plotted all across the season, starting with his game against Collingwood in Round 3 where he had 31 touches. Then, before the bye he had two stellar efforts against Essendon and Fremantle. He accumulated a career-high 37 disposals against the Bombers in arguably his finest knock at AFL level. His performance against Geelong in Round 14 was of a similar calibre and he rounded out his year by earning the Ian Stewart Medal for best on ground against Richmond in Round 22. 

Jack Newnes

While not quite in the same conversation as Ross, Hickey and Membrey for biggest improvement, Jack Newnes has continued his year-on-year advancement in 2016, producing another improvement on his previous best output. Across 22 games this year, the hard-working wingman averaged career-highs for disposals (23.3), uncontested possessions (16.8) and inside 50s (4.7).

Newnes has now played 69 games in succession for a career total of 91 and has established himself as a critical component of St Kilda’s midfield. He sets the standard for work-rate and his rise, along with Ross, Hickey and Luke Dunstan, is a significant reason behind the Saints’ midfield improvement in 2016.

Where he will poll:

Expect Newnes to feature prominently in his two most prolific games at AFL level: Round 3 against Collingwood where he had a career-high 34 possessions and Round 20 against Carlton where he accumulated 32 touches. He was also a key contributor in Round 17 and 18 in the wins over Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs and he finishes the year strongly so could poll well late.

Leigh Montagna

Just like the skipper, Leigh Montagna displayed no sign of slowing down in the twilight stage of his career. At 32, the star wingman flourished across half-back in 2016, helping the Saints become a far better side on transition with his clever ball use. Across all 22 games, the dual All Australian averaged 26.7 possessions (No. 2 at St Kilda), 483.3 metres gained (No. 1) and 3.0 rebound 50s (No. 4).

He played his 250th game in Round 1, before playing every game for the year to once again flaunt his sensational durability. With another year to run on his contract, 2017 could be Montagna’s last, but given his stellar form, it’s also likely that he’s got more in the tank. Time will tell, but his transition into a half-back flanker has been sublime.

Where he will poll:

Joey got off to a flyer in 2016, starting in Adelaide in Round 1 and continuing through the first month where he averaged 31.8 possessions, including a haul of 40 against the Pies in Round 3. He had another 34 touches in the narrow loss against North Melbourne in Round 7 and was at his dominant best in the win over Melbourne in Round 17. Montagna also collected two 30+ hauls in the Saints’ last two games at the MCG, finishing the year like he started it.

Don’t rule them out:

Maverick Weller and Tom Hickey are part of the next bracket who should poll strongly come Thursday night. Both have enjoyed career-best seasons and both are two of the most improved players at St Kilda this season.

After spending the early stages of his career at the Saints in the midfield, Weller has thrived as a pressure forward in 2016, setting the tone for defensive efforts in the forward third. Along with averaging 16.4 disposals and 3.8 tackles, the former Sun has also booted 24 goals for the season to become a potent option in attack.

Hickey has been one of the stories of the season at St Kilda, becoming the No. 1 ruckman in 2016. He played the first 20 games of the year, before a calf injury ended his season prematurely, but in that time he emerged as one of the best young ruckmen in the land. The Queenslander averaged 28.7 hitouts – breaking Peter Everitt’s longstanding record – 13.3 disposals, 3.7 clearances and 3.3 tackles.

One other smoky is power forward Tim Membrey, who established himself as one of the best medium-sized forwards in the AFL this season. Off-season shoulder surgery delayed his start to 2016, but after forcing his way into Alan Richardson’s side in Round 6, the former Swan played every game, finishing with 44.18 for the year from 17 games. Membrey’s average of 2.6 goals per game was ranked No. 7 in 2016, while he was ranked No. 4 for marks inside 50 with 3.1 per game. Talk about a stellar rise.

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