Carlton defender Jacob Weitering has claimed his maiden John Nicholls Medal following a sensational season in the navy blue.
The 23-year-old edged out young midfielder Sam Walsh and veteran onballer Ed Curnow to take out the honours, five months after the 2020 season concluded.
Blues coach David Teague commended the trio's efforts for last season, stating Weitering took his game to a new level and has rightfully been rewarded for his efforts.
โLast year, we asked Jacob to take the next step as a key defender and a leader. He not only welcomed that responsibility,ย heย thrived on it,โ Teague said, per the club website.
โWhat is great about Jacob is how much he cares about making us a better football club. He pushes himself to compete and beat his opponents, he pushes his teammates to be better, leading from the front with his work ethic and his actions.ย ย
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โHe is now reaping the rewards of his hard work as weโve seen, and as a football club we couldnโt be prouder to have Jacob crowned our 2020 John Nicholls Medallist.ย
โTo see Sam finish runner-up is a testament to not only his skill but his character and how he holds himself as a Carlton person. He was asked to go out on the wing last season for the team and to see him execute that role in the manner in which he did makes him a great role model for our entire playing group.ย
โEd is no stranger come John Nicholls Medal night. He gets the job done week in, week out and leaves the field after every game having given his all. There is no surprise he has finished within the top three once again.ย
โAll three players set the standard at our football club at every training session and at every game and we look forward to each of them, along with rest of our playing group, pulling on the Navy Blue guernsey this year, determined to improve again as individuals and as a team.โ
Carlton defender Jacob Weitering's rise to prominence in 2019 could be key for next decade.
The Data Game reviews the Blues' season. pic.twitter.com/gfpkr7hLcH
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2019
Weitering also took out the club's Bill Lanyon Inner Blue Ruthless Award, while Walsh, Marc Pittonet, Tom De Koning, Nic Newman, Jack Martin and Liam Jones also won individual honours.
Carlton'sย 2020 awardย winners:
John Nicholls Medal:ย Jacob Weitering
The Carltonians William A. Cook Trophy: Sam Walshย
The Spirit of Carlton Award: Marcย Pittonetย
The Bill Lanyon Inner Blue Ruthless Award: Jacobย Weiteringย
Best Young Player Award: Tom De Koning
Best Clubman Award: Nic Newman
Coaches Award: Jack Martin
Most Valuable Bluebagger Award: Liam Jones
