The W.S. Crichton Medal is the name given to Best and Fairest

Best and Fairest

Best and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...

 award for Australian rules football

Australian rules football

Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...

 team the Essendon Football Club

Essendon Football Club

The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...

. The naming of the award is to honour Walter S. Crichton, a former administrator for Essendon (who was a committeeman from 1926-1931, vice-president from 1932-1940, and president from 1941-1959).

The Best and Fairest award has been awarded since 1897, although before 1921 records of winners are patchy; the award was suspended during World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

.

Recipients:

Year	Winner
2011	David Zaharakis David Zaharakis David Zaharakis is an Australian rules footballer for Essendon in the Australian Football League who is of Greek heritage.-Career:...
2010	Jobe Watson Jobe Watson Jobe Watson is the captain of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League . He is the son of former Essendon player Tim Watson.-Early life:...
2009	Jobe Watson Jobe Watson Jobe Watson is the captain of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League . He is the son of former Essendon player Tim Watson.-Early life:...
2008	David Hille David Hille David Hille is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.He debuted in 2001 with the Essendon Football Club and has been a solid ruckman for a number of years....
2007	James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League....
2006	Scott Lucas Scott Lucas (footballer) Scott Lucas is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League, and is noted as the other major forward for the Bombers, along with Matthew Lloyd...
2005	Jason Johnson Jason Johnson (Australian rules footballer) Jason Johnson is retired Australian rules footballer who spent his entire professional career with Essendon of the Australian Football League ....
2004	Adam McPhee Adam McPhee Adam McPhee is an Australian rules football football player who plays for the Fremantle Football Club and formerly for the Essendon Football Club. He is a versatile player who has played both as a forward and defender, and recently has also moved into a tagging role, with high profile clashes with...
2003	James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.... , Scott Lucas Scott Lucas (footballer) Scott Lucas is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League, and is noted as the other major forward for the Bombers, along with Matthew Lloyd...  (tied)
2002	Mark Johnson Mark Johnson (footballer) Mark 'MJ' Johnson is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Football Club and Fremantle in the AFL.-Early life:Johnson is commonly known as "Mr...
2001	Jason Johnson Jason Johnson (Australian rules footballer) Jason Johnson is retired Australian rules footballer who spent his entire professional career with Essendon of the Australian Football League ....
2000	Dustin Fletcher Dustin Fletcher Dustin Fletcher is an Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club. He is renowned as one of the finest defenders in the AFL, and has played at full-back for his team for many years. He is the son of former Bombers captain Ken Fletcher...
1999	Mark Mercuri Mark Mercuri Mark Mercuri was a professional Australian rules football player for Essendon. He played in the 1993 Grand final winning team which defeated Carlton...
1998	Damien Hardwick Damien Hardwick Damien Patrick Hardwick is a former Australian rules footballer and the coach of the Richmond Football Club.-Early life:He attended St Joseph's College in Ferntree Gully.-AFL playing career:...
1997	Sean Denham Sean Denham Sean Denham is a former Australian rules footballer.Recruited from Melton South, Denham was an unheralded rover, who came to Essendon from Geelong in a swap that saw ruckman John Barnes sent the other way following the 1991 season. His style of play as a tagging run-with player, typified during...
1996	James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.... (Brownlow Medal Brownlow Medal The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...  winner)
1995	James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League....
1994	James Hird James Hird James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League....
1993	Gary O'Donnell
1992	Mark Harvey Mark Harvey Mark Harvey is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Essendon Football Club. He played 206 games from 1984 to 1997, kicking 190 goals, and was assistant coach at Essendon from 1998 to 2005...
1991	Alan Ezard Alan Ezard Alan Ezard is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL.Originally from Broadford, Victoria, Ezard made his debut with the Essendon Football Club in 1983 and made a name for himself as a very strong mark for a 173 cm man, playing mostly in the back pocket or as a rover...
1990	Mark Thompson
1989	Tim Watson Tim Watson Timothy Michael "Tim" Watson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, sports journalist and media personality.He is notable for his long career at the Essendon Football Club as a player where he participated in several premiership teams...
1988	Tim Watson Tim Watson Timothy Michael "Tim" Watson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, sports journalist and media personality.He is notable for his long career at the Essendon Football Club as a player where he participated in several premiership teams...
1987	Mark Thompson
1986	Glenn Hawker Glenn Hawker Glenn Hawker was an Australian rules footballer. A classy left footer for the Essendon Football Club during the late 1970s and 1980s, Hawker played 200 games for the Bombers, including their 1984 and 1985 premiership sides, before finishing his career with rival team Carlton. He was originally...
1985	Tim Watson Tim Watson Timothy Michael "Tim" Watson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, sports journalist and media personality.He is notable for his long career at the Essendon Football Club as a player where he participated in several premiership teams...
1984	Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989....
1983	Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989....
1982	Terry Daniher Terry Daniher Terrence "Terry" John Daniher is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the South Melbourne and Essendon Football Clubs in the Australian Football League . Terry was also an Assistant Coach to the Essendon, Collingwood, St Kilda and Carlton Football Clubs. Terry's brothers, Neale,...
1981	Neale Daniher Neale Daniher Neale Francis Daniher is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League . Neale was also an Assistant Coach to the Essendon and Fremantle Football Clubs and the Coach of the Victorian State Team and the Melbourne Football Club...
1980	Tim Watson Tim Watson Timothy Michael "Tim" Watson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, sports journalist and media personality.He is notable for his long career at the Essendon Football Club as a player where he participated in several premiership teams...
1979	Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989....
1978	Ken Fletcher Ken Fletcher (footballer) Ken Fletcher is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers. He is the father of Dustin Fletcher who was drafted into the club through the father son rule....
1977	Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989....
1976	Graham Moss Graham Moss Graham Moss is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, who was highly successful in both the West Australian Football League and the Victorian Football League . He was a Brownlow Medal-winning ruckman and played 343 senior games in the WAFL and VFL.Moss debuted for Claremont Football Club... (Brownlow Medal Brownlow Medal The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...  winner)
1975	Graham Moss Graham Moss Graham Moss is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, who was highly successful in both the West Australian Football League and the Victorian Football League . He was a Brownlow Medal-winning ruckman and played 343 senior games in the WAFL and VFL.Moss debuted for Claremont Football Club...
1974	Graham Moss Graham Moss Graham Moss is a former Australian rules footballer and coach, who was highly successful in both the West Australian Football League and the Victorian Football League . He was a Brownlow Medal-winning ruckman and played 343 senior games in the WAFL and VFL.Moss debuted for Claremont Football Club...
1973	Andrew Wilson Andy Wilson (Australian rules footballer) Andy Wilson is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL during the 1970s.A rover, Wilson had his best season in 1973 when he kicked 40 goals and won the W. S. Crichton Medal as Essendon's best and fairest player.-External links:...
1972	Neville Fields Neville Fields Neville Fields is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon and South Melbourne in the VFL.Fields was a left footed centreman and won Essendon's 'Most improved player' award in 1971. He was their best and fairest the following season and went on to represent Victoria in...
1971	Barry Davis Barry Davis Barry Davis is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League with Essendon and North Melbourne, before coaching his original team between 1978–1980.- Essendon career :...
1970	Daryl Gerlach
1969	Barry Davis Barry Davis Barry Davis is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League with Essendon and North Melbourne, before coaching his original team between 1978–1980.- Essendon career :...
1968	Barry Davis Barry Davis Barry Davis is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League with Essendon and North Melbourne, before coaching his original team between 1978–1980.- Essendon career :...
1967	John Birt John Birt (footballer) John Birt is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. Birt had an unusual physical characteristic that sometimes reduced his capacity to impose authority in one-on-one situations; whenever he spoke, the tip of his nose would move.Birt was a rover and after being...
1966	Don McKenzie Don McKenzie (footballer) Don McKenzie is a former Australian rules footballer who played 266 senior games for the Essendon Bombers from 1960 to 1974...
1965	John Birt John Birt (footballer) John Birt is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. Birt had an unusual physical characteristic that sometimes reduced his capacity to impose authority in one-on-one situations; whenever he spoke, the tip of his nose would move.Birt was a rover and after being...
1964	Ken Fraser Ken Fraser Ken Fraser is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .Ken Fraser was an outstanding centre half-forward, Essendon Football Club captain, premiership captain and player, and Victorian representative.In 2001 Fraser was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of...
1963	Ken Fraser Ken Fraser Ken Fraser is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .Ken Fraser was an outstanding centre half-forward, Essendon Football Club captain, premiership captain and player, and Victorian representative.In 2001 Fraser was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of...
1962	Jack Clarke Jack E. Clarke Jack E. Clarke was an Australian rules footballer and coach in the VFL. An Essendon and Victorian champion, Clarke was one of the premier midfielders of the VFL for well over a decade, leading the mighty Dons to the flag in 1962 when captain and also playing in the victorious 1965 side...
1961	John Birt John Birt (footballer) John Birt is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. Birt had an unusual physical characteristic that sometimes reduced his capacity to impose authority in one-on-one situations; whenever he spoke, the tip of his nose would move.Birt was a rover and after being...
1960	Reg Burgess Reg Burgess Reg Burgess is a former Australian rules footballer who played 124 Victorian Football League games for the Essendon Bombers....
1959	Hugh Mitchell Hugh Mitchell (footballer) Hugh Mitchell is a former Australian rules footballer and coach who played for Essendon in the VFL and Dandenong Football Club during the 1950s and 60s.-Early career at Essendon:...
1958	Jack Clarke Jack E. Clarke Jack E. Clarke was an Australian rules footballer and coach in the VFL. An Essendon and Victorian champion, Clarke was one of the premier midfielders of the VFL for well over a decade, leading the mighty Dons to the flag in 1962 when captain and also playing in the victorious 1965 side...
1957	Reg Burgess Reg Burgess Reg Burgess is a former Australian rules footballer who played 124 Victorian Football League games for the Essendon Bombers....
1956	Bill Hutchison
1955	Bill Hutchison
1954	John Gill
1953	Bill Hutchison (Brownlow Medal Brownlow Medal The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...  winner)
1952	Bill Hutchison (Brownlow Medal Brownlow Medal The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...  winner)
1951	Norm McDonald
1950	Bill Hutchison
1949	John Coleman
1948	Bill Hutchison
1947	Bill Hutchison
1946	Wally Buttsworth Wally Buttsworth Wallace 'Wally' Buttsworth was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers during the 1940s...
1945	Wally Buttsworth Wally Buttsworth Wallace 'Wally' Buttsworth was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers during the 1940s...
1944	Perc Bushby Perc Bushby Percy "Perc" Bushby was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .He played in the Essendon premiership teams in 1942 and 1946...
1943	Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction....
1942	Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction....
1941	Wally Buttsworth Wally Buttsworth Wallace 'Wally' Buttsworth was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers during the 1940s...
1940	Hugh Torney Hugh Torney (footballer) Hugh Torney was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A ruckman, Torney kicked with his left foot and formed a lethal combination during his career with rover Dick Reynolds. He had his finest season in 1940, winning the Essendon Best and Fairest award and finishing...
1939	Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction....
1938	Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... (Brownlow Medal Brownlow Medal The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...  winner)
1937	Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... (Brownlow Medal Brownlow Medal The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...  winner)
1936	Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction....
1935	Keith Forbes Keith Forbes Keith Forbes is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers. A small goalkicking rover, he stood at 171 cm and was runner-up in the 1935 Brownlow Medal. Forbes was twice a best and fairest winner for Essendon.Forbes kicked his 200th VFL goal in 1932 and was the...
1934	Dick Reynolds Dick Reynolds Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction.... (Brownlow Medal Brownlow Medal The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...  winner)
1933	Paddy Walsh
1932	Syd Carman Syd Carman Syd Carman was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A centreman, Carman was the Essendon Best and Fairest winner in 1932 and also achieved Victorian interstate selection. After retiring as a player he became club treasurer.-External links:...
1931	Tom Clarke Tom Clarke (Australian rules footballer) Thomas Clarke was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A wingman, Clarke won Essendon's best and fairest in 1931. He finished his career in the VFA with Brunswick. His son Ron went on to become an Olympic medalist in athletics and his other son Jack played 263 games...
1930	Keith Forbes Keith Forbes Keith Forbes is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Bombers. A small goalkicking rover, he stood at 171 cm and was runner-up in the 1935 Brownlow Medal. Forbes was twice a best and fairest winner for Essendon.Forbes kicked his 200th VFL goal in 1932 and was the...
1929	Howard Okey Howard Okey Howard Okey was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the VFL.Okey was a pacy centreman, winning Essendon's Best and Fairest award in 1929. He also represented Victoria at interstate football three times during his career.-External links:...
1928	Norm Beckton Norm Beckton Norm Beckton was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL during the 1920s.Beckton played as a ruckman and won Essendon's best and fairest in 1928. A premiership player in 1923 and 1924, Beckton also represented Victoria during his career. He captained Essendon in 1929...
1927	Frank Maher Frank Maher (footballer) Frank H. Maher , is a former Australian footballer, and coach in the Victorian Football League.He served in the army in World War I from 1916 to 1919, and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry for his actions in France on 19 May 1918.He only began playing football when serving overseas with...
1926	Joe Harrison Joe Harrison Joe Harrison was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.Harrison was a member of a premiership side in his debut season with Essendon, playing at half back in the club's 1923 Grand Final win. He went on to play 64 games for Essendon, winning their Best and Fairest award...
1925	Greg Stockdale Greg Stockdale Greg Stockdale was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League during the 1920s....
1924	Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .A brilliant centre halfback, he commenced his career with Essendon Football Club 1918. Transferred to Sydney in 1921 with his employment, Fitzmaurice played the next two seasons in the local competition and...
1923	Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .A brilliant centre halfback, he commenced his career with Essendon Football Club 1918. Transferred to Sydney in 1921 with his employment, Fitzmaurice played the next two seasons in the local competition and...
1922	Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice Tom Fitzmaurice was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .A brilliant centre halfback, he commenced his career with Essendon Football Club 1918. Transferred to Sydney in 1921 with his employment, Fitzmaurice played the next two seasons in the local competition and...
1920	Jack Garden Jack Garden Jack Garden was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL.A wingman, Garden debuted for Essendon in 1915 but didn't play again 1920 due to war service. He won the Essendon Best and Fairest award in his first year back and the following season made his first appearance for...
1913	Fred Baring Fred Baring Frederick Albert Baring was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League during the early 1900s. In 1997 he was named at fullback in Essendon's official Team of the Century....
1912	Ernie Cameron Ernie Cameron Ernest J. "Ginger" Cameron was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. He was a premiership player for the club in 1911.A rover, nicknamed "Ginger", he made his debut for Essendon in 1905...
1911	Ernie Cameron Ernie Cameron Ernest J. "Ginger" Cameron was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL. He was a premiership player for the club in 1911.A rover, nicknamed "Ginger", he made his debut for Essendon in 1905...
1909	Bill Busbridge Bill Busbridge Bill Busbridge was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the early days of the VFL. A centre half back and part time ruckman, he was also known by his nickname 'Buzzy'....
1908	Bill Busbridge Bill Busbridge Bill Busbridge was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the early days of the VFL. A centre half back and part time ruckman, he was also known by his nickname 'Buzzy'....
1906	Jack McKenzie Jack McKenzie (footballer) Jack Joseph "Dookie" McKenzie was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League ....
1903	Hugh Gavin Hugh Gavin Lodovic Hugh Gavin was an Australian rules footballer who played 108 games with Essendon in the years following the formation of the Victorian Football League ....
1901	Albert Thurgood Albert Thurgood Albert John "The Great" Thurgood was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football Association , Victorian Football League and the Western Australian Football Association ....