Mitchell 2009 Peter Crimmins Medalist

HAWTHORN skipper Sam Mitchell has won his second club best-and-fairest award – the Peter Crimmins Medal – capping off an outstanding individual season.

Mitchell, who also won the Crimmins Medal in 2006, won this year's award comfortably with 170 votes, ahead of runner-up Cyril Rioli (123) and 2008 winner Lance Franklin (121).

In front of more than 1300 people at Crown Palladium, Mitchell, 26, who also wears the No.5 guernsey made famous by Crimmins, polled in 21 of 22 matches.

The late Peter Crimmins' wife Gwen presented Mitchell with the Olympic-sized gold medal, depicting a sculptured image of the Hawthorn great.

His best performances for the season were in round one against Geelong at the MCG, round three against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, round five against West Coast Eagles at Aurora Stadium and again against West Coast in round 13 at Subiaco Oval.

Mitchell, who finished second in the Crimmins Medal in the premiership year last season, adds his latest accolade to the 2003 NAB AFL Rising Star award and the 2002 Liston Trophy (the Brownlow Medal equivalent in the VFL).

Remarkably, Rioli, after finishing second in last year's NAB AFL Rising Star and sixth in the club's best-and-fairest award, led this year's Crimmins Medal by 11 votes after 10 rounds with 123.

But Rioli missed three matches from rounds 12 to 14 with a hamstring injury.

Although he had his critics this year, based on his stellar 2008, Franklin was just pipped for second.

The competition's youngest player in 2008, Liam Shiels, was rewarded with the club's best first year player award.

Queenslander Brendan Whitecross was named Hawthorn's most improved.

Clinton Young was rewarded with best clubman.

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2009 Award winners

WASH Play of the Year: Cyril Rioli, Round 7 goal against Essendon
Confreres Player of the Year: Sam Mitchell
Cheersquad Player of the Year: Cyril Rioli
ASCEND Fan's choice: Sam Mitchell
Most Improved: Brendan Whitecross
Best First Year: Liam Shiels
Most Consistent: Sam Mitchell
Best Clubman: Clinton Young
Third Place: Lance Franklin
Runner-up: Cyril Rioli
First Place - Peter Crimmins Medalist: Sam Mitchell