Collingwood will crown it’s 2024 Best and Fairest Player when the E.W Copeland Trophy is awarded on Friday night at Crown Palladium. The club’s ‘night of nights’ is set to be a celebration of the 2024 AFL season, with a suite of awards to be presented including the VFL and VWFL (Victorian Wheelchair Football League) Best and Fairest.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the big night.
What awards are on offer?
- W Copeland Trophy – Best and Fairest player
- T Rush Trophy – Second Best and Fairest player
- J Joyce Trophy – Third Best and Fairest player
- F McHale Trophy – Fourth Best and Fairest player
- Jack Regan Trophy – Fifth Best and Fairest player
- Harry Collier Trophy – Best Young Player
- Gavin Brown Award – Defensive Pressure award
- Gordon Coventry Award – Leading goalkicker
- Darren Millane Award – Best Clubman
- Joseph Wren Trophy – VFL Best and Fairest
- Jack Hellier Trophy – VFL Best Clubman
- Brendan Stroud Trophy – VWFL Best and Fairest player
How can I stay across the results?
The E.W Copeland Trophy will be streamed live and free via collingwoodfc.com.au and will be covered live via the official Collingwood social media channels including Instagram, X and Facebook.
Who’s a chance take home the Copeland Trophy?
After already taking home the AFLCA’s Champion Player Award, an All-Australian Blazer, and second place in the 2024 Brownlow Medal, Nick Daicos could add his first E.W Copeland Trophy to his already burgeoning trophy cabinet, joining father Peter (1982 and 1988) and brother Josh (2023) as winners of the award. This would make Peter, Josh and Nick the only father and two sons to win the Copeland Trophy.
Ruck Darcy Cameron had a breakout 2024 that saw him awarded with a place in the extended All-Australian squad for the first time. Averaging 29.26 as well as taking 45 contested marks – the fourth most of any player in the competition in the home and away season, Cameron could be a chance to win his first Copeland.
After reaching the coveted 400 game milestone in Round 21, plus becoming the first player to reach 10,000 disposals, could Scott Pendlebury add a record equalling sixth Copeland Trophy to his collection?
Jack Crisp continued to showcase his durability and resilience, playing his 237rd consecutive AFL game in Round 24. The midfielder won the 2021 and 2022 Copeland Trophy, could he add another to his collection?
Josh Daicos joined the likes of Dane Swan, Tony Shaw and Thorold Merrett to win a Copeland Trophy in a Premiership year, last year. The son of a gun once again had a strong season, averaging 24.9 disposals and 4.8 score involvements, including a dominant Round 24 that saw him gather 40 disposals. Could Josh go back-to-back?
How are the votes awarded?
Senior Coach Craig McRae, together with assistant coaches Hayden Skipworth, Scott Selwood and Jordan Roughead, award the votes after each match.
Each coach is asked to vote on every player. Each player can receive votes between 0-4 on the following four categories:
- Pressure
- Fight
- Territory
- Role/impact
The maximum number of votes a player can receive per round is 64 votes.
In the event that two or more players finish with the same number of votes, this will result in a tie.
Who could win the Joseph Wren Trophy?
AFL listed midfielder Ed Allan made his mark in the big time after making his Senior debut in Round 11 versus Fremantle. But it was in the VFL where the 20-year-old had the biggest impact in 2024. Averaging 19.9 disposals and 4.4 tackles could he follow fellow midfielder Finlay Macrae in taking home the VFL Best and Fairest?
In their first years as Co-Captains, Campbell Lane and Sam Glover both played crucial roles on and off the field in leading Collingwood’s youthful VFL squad.
Lane averaged 23 disposals across the year, while Glover averaged 6.2 marks and was selected in the VFL team of the year squad. Could one of the Club’s leaders join the likes of Peter Daicos, Tony Shaw, Des Fothergill and Billy Picken as winners of the award?
Who could win the Brendan Stroud Trophy?
Star forward Patrick McKay has had an outstanding season as the Collingwood wheelchair squad’s top-scorer and finishing fifth overall in the VWFL competition.
McKay was unstoppable and in career-best form, scoring 62 total goals and dominating the competition with multiple impressive haul performances (13 v Hawthorn in Round 10, 9 v Essendon in Round 7, and 10 v Essendon in Round 2). His ability to impact games through his contested marking and defensive work further highlighted his versatility and strength up forward makes him a big chance to take home the best and fairest award.
Anthony Perito has proven to be one of the team’s most reliable and consistent performers throughout the season. With 43 goals scored in total, Perito’s ability to continuously torment opposition defenders made him a constant threat in front of goal and helped him to control the flow of the game.
Known for his explosive and attacking style, Ben Jankovski was another critical player for the wheelchair Magpies in 2024. His standout performance came in a remarkable 11-goal haul against Hawthorn, cementing his status as one of the club’s most critical players. Jankovski scored 47 goals in total across 2024. Could Jankovski win the award?
