On Saturday night, Hawthorn Football Club will hold its 2013 best and fairest awards, the Peter Crimmins Medal.

hawthornfc.com.au takes a look at who might be in contention to be crowned the winner in the Club’s Premiership year.

Sam Mitchell
Could he make it a fifth Peter Crimmins Medal? Last year’s winner has had another outstanding season made more impressive by the fact he spent time in a new role across half back. The star midfielder was lauded for his ability to adjust to his new role and mange that with stints in the midfield and still have as much, if not more impact on the game. He averaged 28 disposals per game, the most at the Club in 2013 and was also ranked number one for contested possessions, clearances and centre clearances. He was also named on the half back flank of the 2013 All Australian team and was one of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal.

Jarryd Roughead
It’s hard to believe that just two years ago many doubted whether Roughead could again be a star of the competition after he ruptured his Achilles in 2011. Roughead played the majority of the year as a forward thanks to the availability and form of ruckman Max Bailey, whose inclusion in the side allowed the Hawks forward to play most of his footy inside 50. He added more versatility to his game this year by spending time in the midfield. He won the Coleman Medal as the AFL’s leading goal kicker and finished with 72 goals for the season. He also averaged 16.1 disposals and 4.5 marks.

Luke Hodge
Written off over the pre-season because of injuries to his knees last year, it took the Hawthorn Captain little time to show he is still one of the AFL’s elite players. He missed Round 1 but returned in Round 2 where he was best on ground against the Eagles and then again against Collingwood in Round 3. Renowned as one of the AFL’s most courageous players, Hodge lived up to that name by consistently putting his body on the line to affect contests. One of his best games was in Round 7 when he gathered 32 disposals and kicked a goal against the Swans. He averaged 21.8 touches in 23 matches. He was also nominated in the squad of 40 for the All Australian team.

Josh Gibson
It was another consistent season from the Hawks defender who added another string to his bow in season 2013. In the absence of running half backs Matt Suckling and Grant Birchall, Gibson became one of Hawthorn’s best attacking weapons. In eight of his 24 games, Gibson gathered over 20 disposals and still managed to shut down one of the opposition’s best forwards. He enhanced his reputation as one of the league’s best spoilers, with his ability to read the play one of his biggest strengths. He was ranked number one at the Club for one percenters and formed a formidable partnership with fellow defender, Brian Lake. He played 24 of 25 games and averaged 18.2 touches.

Ben Stratton
One of the game’s most underrated players, Stratton’s importance to Hawthorn isn’t lost on the fans and certainly his coaches and teammates. At just 24 years of age, the defender is maturing into one of his side’s most reliable and consistent defenders who players with courage and the determination to do anything it takes to succeed. He is the ultimate team player and finished second for once percenters at the Club behind Gibson.

Jordan Lewis
Last year, Lewis was named as the side’s most consistent player and he continued on the same road in season 2013. As hard and tough as they come, the Club’s vice-captain leads by example with his willingness to put his body on the line. He was ranked number two at the Club for disposals, contested possessions, clearances and centre clearances. He was also ranked fourth for tackles and kicked 17 goals in 24 matches.

Shaun Burgoyne
Everyone will remember Burgoyne for his outstanding Preliminary Final performance in which he kicked three goals but the utility’s year has again been outstanding. Since crossing from Port Adelaide at the end of 2010, Burgyone has added versatility to Hawthorn, with Alastair Clarkson enjoying the ability to play the clearance specialist in all parts of the ground with great effect. He is a role player who is often the Hawks’ ‘Mr. Fix It’ and will certainly get votes for performances largely unnoticed by outsiders. He was ranked third for centre clearances, fifth for clearances and sixth for disposals.