With Hawthorn’s next Peter Crimmins Medallist set to be crowned on Thursday night, there are several players well in the hunt for the club's most coveted honour.

Check out the five men we believe are amongst the top candidates.

Jaeger O’Meara

Games: 18

Disposal average: 26.3

Goals: 5

Finishing the year as the second-highest disposal getter at the Hawks, Jaeger O’Meara produced another consistent season, only dropping under 20 touches twice in 2021.  

Best afield in numerous games for his side, O’Meara led the Hawks in the contested possessions and clearances count, while also ranking second among his teammates for inside 50s and tackles this year.

The vice-captain is likely to pick up a handful of votes early on, following on from his brilliant start to the season where he averaged 28.5 disposals across the opening six rounds.

After finishing last year’s Best and Fairest in the top-10, a bolt up the rankings this time around is just about a certainty in 2021.

Chad Wingard

Games: 16

Disposal average: 22.4

Goals: 12

In his best season in the brown and gold, Chad Wingard scored ‘above average’ across all domains for disposals, kicks, handballs, marks, tackles and total clearances.

Wingard’s impact higher up the ground was a glittering feature for the Hawks, with his efforts crucial in the Hawks hitting the scoreboard, whether it be through his team-high forward entries (4.8 per game), score involvements (7.1) or goal assists (1.2).

After placing third in last year’s Peter Crimmins Medal count, the 28-year-old is well poised to keep chipping away at the leader board for a second year and subsequently poll well again.

Expect Wingard to burst out of the blocks in the final month of voting after he went through Rounds 20 to 23 averaging 29.5 disposals and 1.2 goals after returning from a hamstring injury.

Tom Mitchell

Games: 22

Disposal average: 34.3

Goals: 8

Finishing as the side's – and leagues – leading disposal winner across the season, it’s impossible to go past the impact that Tom Mitchell has had in 2021.

The club’s lone nominee in this year's All Australian squad of 40, Mitchell looks at home around the contest and has been a model of consistency, never dipping below 22 touches and averaging 34 disposals – along with 4.1 inside 50s and 4.8 tackles – a game.

While his ability to find the ball was clearly number one, the powerful 28-year-old's ability to hit the scoreboard was also a highlight as he kicked a goal in five of the last six games, finishing with eight majors for the season.

With two Peter Crimmins Medals already to his name, the 2018 Brownlow medallist, who played all 22 games for the Hawks this year, is well on his way to a third club Best and Fairest award.

Blake Hardwick

Games: 20

Disposal average: 20.9

Blake Hardwick perhaps hasn’t got the credit he deserves for his efforts in 2021.

The 24-year-old took his name to a new level this year, averaging a career-best 20.9 disposals across his 21 games played.

An ever-reliable force across Hawthorn’s defensive half, Hardwick guided his side out of trouble countless times through his leadership and cool head under the pump.

Whether it be through smart ball use out of half back or his dependability in driving the Hawks out of danger, he continued to prove himself as a vital piece of Hawthorn’s defensive unit.

Given his consistency throughout the year, the reliable backman is in a strong position to rack up the votes in this year’s count.

Dylan Moore

Games: 20

Disposal average: 15.4

Goals: 27

Every Best and Fairest count needs its surprise bolter, and Dylan Moore is a sure-fire candidate to do just that.

At just 22 years-old, Moore was a shining light in a difficult season, finishing equal-second in the club’s goal kicking tally with 27 goals to his name.

Moore was left goalless just four times this season and kicked multiple goals on several occasions, including a season-high of four in Round 15 when Hawthorn beat Greater Western Sydney.

Arguably one of the most improved Hawks this year, the fan-favourite’s third campaign in the brown and gold is sure to earn him considerable votes in the count on Thursday night. 

Could Moore join the likes of teammate James Worpel as one of the club’s youngest winners?

Stay tuned for coverage on Hawthorn’s social media channels and website from 7.30pm on Thursday to find out who will take out the club awards.