Higgins top Kangaroo in close finish

NORTH Melbourne midfielder Shaun Higgins has won his first Syd Barker Medal as Ben Brown also stamped himself as a potential future winner.

The classy Higgins polled 217 votes to win the best and fairest ahead of hard nut midfielder Ben Cunnington (211) and gun forward Brown (209).

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After leaving the Western Bulldogs three years ago, the gun midfielder enjoyed a career-best season in 2017, racking up highs in disposals (average 23.5 per game) and tackles (five).

Importantly, he overcame the debilitating injury issues which limited him to only nine games in 2016 and three matches in 2013.

Brown has emerged as one of the AFL’s top key forwards this season booting a career-high 63 goals for the year to finish third in the Coleman Medal race.

His remarkable season is set to be rewarded with a lucrative contract extension over summer to help lock away the Werribee product to a long term deal.

Last year’s winner Robbie Tarrant finished fourth, while important youngsters Luke McDonald (fifth) and Taylor Garner (eighth) were also rewarded for strong seasons.

All-Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein did not finish in the top 10 for the second year in a row but is determined to stay and help lead North’s resurgence next season.

Veterans Sam Gibson (equal sixth) and Scott Thompson (ninth) remain two of North’s most reliable players but are without contracts for next year.

SYD BARKER MEDAL TOP 10

1. SHAUN HIGGINS 217

2. BEN CUNNINGTON 211

3. BEN BROWN 209

4. ROBBIE TARRANT 204

5. LUKE McDONALD 192

=6. JACK ZIEBELL 161

=6. SAM GIBSON 161

8. TAYLOR GARNER 134

9. SCOTT THOMPSON 126

10. SHAUN ATLEY 125

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