Tackling machine Devon Smith has been named Essendon’s best and fairest player in season 2018 after being awarded the Crichton Medal on Thursday evening at Peninsula, Docklands.

The first year Bomber won the coveted award with 370 votes, Dyson Heppell (360 votes) and Zach Merrett (335 votes) rounding out the top three.

Essendon Senior Coach John Worsfold said Smith had made an immediate impact since joining the club.

“To win the Crichton Medal in his first year at the Club is an enormous achievement and we are extremely proud of what Devon has accomplished this season,” Worsfold said.

“Devon really delivered on all aspects of the game and went over and above what we expected from him.

“His attitude before arriving at Essendon was outstanding, to ensure his body was right by executing his knee rehab and getting himself in the best position to have a really good pre-season.

“Considering the chronic issues he had with his knee, he was really professional and really committed to getting the best out of himself.

“Devon then worked really hard with Hayden Skipworth and our medical and high performance staff to get him through the year. To perform the way he did whilst still monitoring his knee was a great effort.

“He added substantial tackling pressure to the side as well kicking goals, he also showed a lot of leadership within the group.”

Smith joined the Bombers ahead of the 2018 season after spending six years with the GWS Giants.

The midfielder averaged 22 disposals and went forward to kick 17 goals in his debut season in the red and black.

Smith showed exceptional defensive skills, finishing with 184 tackles – the highest ever recorded in a home and away season in AFL history.

Captain, Dyson Heppell, finished in second place after playing every game this year. He was one of the Bombers’ most consistent contributors, collecting an average of 27 disposals.

Zach Merrett finished in third place after a strong second half to the season.

First year player, Matt Guelfi, was awarded the Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star Award. The 21-year-old debuted in round four and went on to play 15 games in the red and black.

2018 Crichton Medal top 10:

1. Devon Smith 370 votes

2. Dyson Heppell 360 votes

3. Zach Merrett 335 votes

4. Adam Saad 315 votes

5. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti 295 votes

6. Tom Bellchambers 281 votes

7. Michael Hurley 280 votes

8. Cale Hooker 276 votes

9. Conor McKenna 268 votes

10. Brendon Goddard 267 votes

The voting system involves Essendon’s five AFL coaches rating each player’s performance between 0-5. The maximum votes a player can gain from one game is 25.

Club Awards:

Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman Award – Orazio Fantasia

Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player Award – Matt Dea

Matthew Lloyd Leading Goal Kicker Award – Jake Stringer

Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star Award – Matt Guelfi

Most Improved Player Award –David Myers

John Kilby Trainers & Staff Award– Dyson Heppell

The Club's highest individual accolade has been recently won by;

David Zaharakis (2011)

Jobe Watson (2012 – also 2009 and 2010)

Brendon Goddard (2013)

Dyson Heppell (2014)

Cale Hooker (2015)

Zach Merrett (2016)

Joe Daniher (2017)