STAR on-baller Jack Steven has capped off a stellar season to win his second Trevor Barker Award, finishing ahead of David Armitage (2^nd) and Sean Dempster (3^rd).

The 25-year-old from Lorne was one of just three Saints to play every game in 2015 and was ranked first in the AFL for inside 50s and second for total tackles.

Steven collected 591 disposals for the season, averaging 26.9 per outing – an identical disposal count to his previous best and fairest winning year in 2013.

But it was more than just raw numbers that exemplified his considerable influence this season.

Whenever St Kilda was stagnant or lacking impetus, it would be Steven that would take the game on. His bold willingness to break the lines was only matched by his evasiveness in doing so.

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His clearance and follow-up was critical in St Kilda pulling off a thrilling victory over Melbourne in round 11.

Steven, who re-signed until the end of 2020 earlier this year, celebrated his 100-game milestone in round 10 and has played 112 in total since arriving at the club in 2007.

The 2011 Rising Star nominee stormed home late to claim the prestigious award at Crown Palladium after polling 175 votes, ahead of Armitage (159) and Dempster (149).

As late as Round 20, Armitage held the lead in the voting after a breakout year for the 27-year-old midfielder.  However, when he missed the Round 21 draw against Geelong with a minor shoulder injury, Steven capitalised and polled 11 votes to take a lead he held onto for the remainder of the season.

Armitage’s 45-disposal effort against the Western Bulldogs in round six was a performance that netted him the maximum 20 votes (four from each of the five coaches who adjudicate each game).

The most votes Steven polled for any single game was 15 (3 from each of the five coaches) – however he achieved this feat on three separate occasions, further demonstrating his supreme level of consistency.

For the fourth time in the last five seasons, Dempster finished in third place, while Leigh Montagna finished fourth for the second-straight season. Reliable defender Jarryn Geary rounded out the top five.

Dempster’s best game was in round 18 against Melbourne, when two out of the five coaches awarded him the maximum four votes.

Montagna’s achievement was even more remarkable considering he played just 17 matches and had polled just 10 votes after five rounds.

It was the highest finish for Roberton, Bruce and Webster in the Trevor Barker Award vote count, while two-time winner Sam Fisher has not finished in the top 10 since 2012.

Other award winners for the night included recently re-signed young gun Jack Lonie, who won ‘Best Emerging Player’, Jarryn Geary who won the ‘Robert Harvey Best Clubman’ and Maverick Weller who took out the ‘Lenny Hayes Player Trademark Award’.

Life Membership was also bestowed on senior player Sam Gilbert, along with administrators Greg Gniel and Andrew Waddington.

Best and Fairest Voting Criteria

• Five coaches (senior coach plus 4x assistant coaches) vote in each match
• Not all players need to be given a vote
• A poor result may see only 3 - 4 players receive votes, a strong result might see 15-16 players
• Coaches to vote confidentially, ie. not confer with each other
• Each player can receive votes as follows:

1 vote: played role effectively (but should not be used as an encouragement reward)

2 votes: among the best for St Kilda in this game

3 votes: one, two or very occasionally, three players who are deemed the very best on ground

4 votes: an exceptionally outstanding game, very rarely given (say 10+ goals, or 45+ possessions)

Final Vote Count:

1.    Jack Steven                  175

2.    David Armitage            159

3.    Sean Dempster            149

4.    Leigh Montagna           143

5.    Jarryn Geary                132

6.    Dylan Roberton           108

7.    Nick Riewoldt              105

8.    Josh Bruce                   92

9.    Sam Fisher                   77

10. Jimmy Webster            77