Jack Steven Wins 3rd straight B & F Award for Saints

JACK Steven has won St Kilda's best and fairest for the second consecutive year and the third time in his career.

The midfielder spent most of the count in front after a stellar season and notched up 172 votes, and finished in front of defender Jarryn Geary (157) and skipper Nick Riewoldt (153).

Steven said having the belief of his coach Alan Richardson helped him with his game.

"The biggest thing with Richo is he tells me to back myself," Steven said.

Leigh Montagna's move to the backline can be considered a success after he repeated his fourth placing of last year with 127 votes, while emerging leader Jack Newnes rounded out the top five on 125.

Steven won the Trevor Barker Award in 2013 and 2015 to become the 10th Saint to win the club championship at least three times.

It capped off a brilliant season for the 26-year-old who was nominated for the All Australian squad for the second time (the first being 2013).

He averaged 28 disposals per match and was prominent in the forward half of the ground, ranking second in the competition for inside 50s.

Steven and Geary loom as the front-runners to assume the captaincy in 2017, with Riewoldt set to hand the mantle on.

This was the first season Steven has been in the leadership group, with his one attempt at skipper successful, when St Kilda beat Carlton in round 12. Steven was excellent that day, with 25 disposals and 10 inside 50s.

Five coaches independently hand out between zero and four votes to each player to determine the best and fairest. Membrey took out the best emerging player award after he kicked 44 goals from 17 games. The former Sydney Swan was the highest goalkicker at the Saints this year.

Sam Gilbert was considered best clubman while Geary won the player trademark award, which is given to the individual who is considered to have typified the club's on-field values better than anyone else.

David Armitage became a St Kilda life member after bringing up his 150th career match in the final round victory against the Brisbane Lions. 

Top 10 leaderboard:
1. Jack Steven – 172

2. Jarryn Geary – 157

3. Nick Riewoldt – 153

4. Leigh Montagna – 127

5. Jack Newnes – 125

6. Seb Ross – 122

7. Maverick Weller – 117

8. Tom Hickey – 102

9. Tim Membrey – 99

=10. Sean Dempster – 96

=10. David Armitage – 96

St.Kilda Best And Fairest Results

Best and Fairest Voting Criteria

• Five coaches (senior coach plus 4x assistant coaches) vote in each match
• Not all players need to be given a vote
• A poor result may see only 3 - 4 players receive votes, a strong result might see 15-16 players
• Coaches to vote confidentially, ie. not confer with each other
• Each player can receive votes as follows:

1 vote: played role effectively (but should not be used as an encouragement reward)

2 votes: among the best for St Kilda in this game

3 votes: one, two or very occasionally, three players who are deemed the very best on ground

4 votes: an exceptionally outstanding game, very rarely given (say 10+ goals, or 45+ possessions)

Final Vote Count:

1.    Jack Steven                  175

2.    David Armitage            159

3.    Sean Dempster            149

4.    Leigh Montagna           143

5.    Jarryn Geary                132

6.    Dylan Roberton           108

7.    Nick Riewoldt              105

8.    Josh Bruce                   92

9.    Sam Fisher                   77

10. Jimmy Webster            77