Ben McEvoy’s magnificent season has been rewarded with a second-place finish in this year’s Peter Crimmins Medal.
The 28-year old enjoyed a career-best campaign in 2017, embracing the sole ruck duties on his way to averaging 32.4 hit-outs per game.
In his tenth year in the competition and fourth at Hawthorn, the runner-up placing is McEvoy’s highest finish in a best and fairest count.
The ruckman finished 40th in this year’s Schick Player Rater, another career-high mark, as his value to Hawthorn was acknowledged league-wide.
Considering his previous five seasons, the former Saint’s 2017 numbers are superior in almost every statistical category, including disposals, goals, hit-outs, tackles, inside 50s, clearances, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, contested marks, one-percenters and goal assists.
McEvoy’s ability to get forward and influence the scoreboard this season was a feature of his performance, kicking 14 goals this year to be the greatest season tally of his career.
His aerial supremacy was also vital to the Hawks’ success this year, with his side winning four of the five games that McEvoy grabbed at least three contested marks.
McEvoy’s 2017 totals versus his previous best in last five seasons
274 disposals (previous best in last five years: 253 in 2013)
14 goals (12 in 2015)
712 hit-outs (449 in 2013)
76 tackles (63 in 2013)
26 inside 50s (22 in 2016)
55 clearances (39 in 2015)
155 contested possessions (150 in 2013)
136 uncontested possessions (114 in 2013)
38 contested marks (33 in 2013)
95 one-percenters (80 in 2015 and 2016)
10 goal assists (5 in 2013)
