Heading into Friday night’s E.W. Copeland Trophy count, there are a host of Magpies who could take out the top honour.

Externally most pundits would think this year’s Brownlow Medallist and All Australian Dane Swan would be a lock for what would be a record fourth-straight best and fairest.

However the club supplied five other All Australians in the 2011 side including Scott Pendlbury, Travis Cloke, Leon Davis, Dale Thomas and Ben Reid.

The Copeland Trophy voting system allocates one vote to each player for every match played and up to 20 additional votes per game to be dispersed among the best players as judged by the Collingwood Match Committee.

Look back at the top 10s from 2000 - 2010.

The night will be streamed exclusively to members on the club's website.

Collingwoodfc.com.au has taken a look at the contenders for Friday night’s medal.

2011 Copeland contenders
Dane Swan
Four consecutive Copelands would force pundits to consider Swan the greatest player to ever don the black and white stripes.  He enjoyed two strong patches of form on either side of his mid-season trip to Arizona.  Led the team in total disposals and clearances.
Negative: His month prior to Flagstaff.
Games: 24

Scott Pendlebury
Twice the bridesmaid the vice-captain was projected to poll more Brownlow votes than Swan.  Can fly under the radar due to his deft skills.  Used it at a staggering 77.9 per cent effectiveness and averaged 29.7 disposals per game.  Averaged a career best six tackles per match.
Negative: Polled less than Swan in the Brownlow.
Games: 25

Travis Cloke
Dominated the season. Showed he has the best set of hands in the competition.  Took a record 95-contested marks.  Averaged a career high in disposals, contested possessions, tackles and kicked a team-high 69 goals.  Right in the mix after averaging better numbers than his 2007 Copeland year.
Negative: Kicked one goal or less in four matches.
Games: 25

Dale Thomas
Took control of matches for lengthy periods.  Finished third in the 2010 Copeland and had a better season this year culminating in his first All Australian guernsey.  Scored over 110 AFL dream team points in 10 matches.  A consistent force in the side ranking in the top five for the season in kicks, disposals, clearance, inside 50s, marks and tackles.
Negative: Only kicked 13 goals and missed four matches.
Games: 21

Ben Reid
Rarely got beaten.  In fact only conceded three goals or more on one occasion (Kurt Tippett booted three in round nine).  Named as the centre-half back in the All Australian side commands respect and votes playing in the stingiest defence in the competition.   His kick out of defence proved lethal hitting a target 79.7 per cent of the time.  Took a league best 62 marks from opposition kicks.
Negative: Didn’t dominate offensively but will look to Presti’s 2000 season when he finished third.
Games: 24

Leon Davis
His move down back was exactly what the doctor ordered.  Averaged 22.0 disposals and used it at a career high 76.2 per cent efficiency.  Won his second All Australian guernsey.  Stepped up when the club lost Heath Shaw to suspension.  Still managed to hit the scoreboard on several occasions.
Negative: See below.
Games: 21

Luke Ball
The coaching staff love him.  First in and last to leave does not go unnoticed.  Finished fifth in his first year at the club in 2010.  Led the side in tackles, kicked 18.3 and had 34 scoring assists (tied for second most in the side).  Averaged stronger numbers than last year so should be a lock for top five.
Negative: Had seven sub 20-possession matches.
Games: 24

Also should feature
Chris Tarrant:  In his first season back at Collingwood since 2006 Tarrant regularly took and beat some of the competition’s premier key forwards.  Finished second as a forward in 2003 and should poll well eights years on.

Steele Sidebottom: After finishing eighth last year in just his second season, Sidebottom played every game in 2011 and was fifth at the club for total disposals, third for tackles and kicked a goal per game.

Sharrod Wellingham: An important part of the Magpies’ midfield machine who was fifth at the club for clearances. 

Harry O’Brien:  On track for his fifth consecutive top 10 placing after another productive season in the Magpies’ backline.

Andrew Krakouer: One of the great stories of the 2011 season, Krakouer finished second on the club’s goal kicking list with 35.  He booted a season-high four goals twice and snagged at least two majors in 12 of the 23 matches he played.