> Watch Nick Maxwell speak to CTV on stage at the Crown PalladiumIn his first year as captain, Nick Maxwell was rewarded for a stellar season by finishing runner-up in the 2009 Copeland Trophy.
He accepted the R.T. Rush Trophy after polling 48 votes including match committee votes in his final nine matches.
It was a huge night for Maxwell, who earlier accepted the Gavin Brown award for leading desire indicators for the third straight year and was also a joint recipient (with Heath Shaw) of the Bob Rose Trophy for being best player in finals.
Forced to miss rounds four and five through suspension, Maxwell led a backline which allowed the second lowest points against through the home-and-away season.
His new found role as a loose man in defence reaped benefits for the club as Maxwell averaged career highs in disposals (17.9), marks (6.3) and rebound 50s (3.5) per game.
The 26-year-old provided countless perilous moments for supporters this year, as he showed no regard for his body when attacking the contested footy.
He earned his first career Brownlow votes when he polled three in the 22-point win over West Coast at Subiaco Oval in Round nine. The skipper finished the night with a career-high 29 possessions and 12 marks in what was a must-win match for his club.
His leadership came to the fore during the finals campaign, proving one of the most consistent, averaging 17 disposals and six marks in three outings. On a night when Geelong kicked 17 goals in the preliminary final, Maxwell held Cameron Mooney to one major for the match.
Maxwell had finished in the top 10 in the Copeland voting only once before (ninth in 2005), and was 12th in both 2007 and 2008.
