Josh Dunkley has capped of a strong season to be crowned winner of the 2022 Charles Sutton Medal at Crown Palladium on Wednesday night.

The midfielder polled 231 votes, narrowly overcoming fellow engine room partner Tom Liberatore, who finished on 211 votes.

Gun forward Aaron Naughton (180), four-time winner Marcus Bontempelli (174) and vice-captain Jack Macrae (170) rounded out the top five performers of the 2022 campaign.

Dunkley’s first Sutton Medal was a result of a barnstorming finish to the season, where he polled 52 votes over the final three rounds and the Elimination Final to overcome a consistent Liberatore.

The 25-year-old played every game this season, averaging 25 touches, six tackles and six marks a game across the year, while finding the scoreboard regularly with 18 goals.

Alongside the Doug Hawkins Medal for second place, Liberatore also secured the John Van Groningen Domestique of the Year award, which is voted on by the players.

The heart and soul 30-year-old was a clearance beast again in 2022, averaging more than seven clearances per game this season.  

Emerging swingman Sam Darcy won the Chris Grant Best First Year Player award, showing plenty of promise during four games, including a final against Fremantle.

Consistent half-back Ed Richards finished his breakout season by winning the Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player award, playing 22 matches and averaging 19 touches and 362 metres gained.

Ryan Gardner claimed the Brad Johnson Best Team Player award, while small forward Cody Weightman showed an abundance of heart over the year to take out the Scott West Most Courageous Award.

Skipper Bontempelli was recognised for his 30-disposal and two-goal game against Fremantle in the Elimination Final, named as the club’s best finals player.

Charles Sutton Medal – Top 10

1^st place (Charles Sutton Medal): Josh Dunkley - 231 votes

2^nd place (Doug Hawkins Medal): Tom Liberatore - 211 votes

3^rd place (Gary Dempsey Medal): Aaron Naughton - 180 votes

4^th: Marcus Bontempelli - 174 votes

5^th: Jackson Macrae – 170 votes

6^th: Caleb Daniel – 158 votes

7^th: Ryan Gardner – 151 votes

8^th: Adam Treloar – 150 votes

9^th: Bailey Dale – 146 votes

10^th: Ed Richards – 144 votes

AFL Awards

• Chris Grant Best First Year Player: Sam Darcy
• Locker Group Coaches’ Award: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
• Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player Award: Ed Richards
• Brad Johnson Best Team Player Award: Ryan Gardner
• Scott West Most Courageous Award: Cody Weightman
• Best Player in Finals: Marcus Bontempelli
• John Van Groningen Domestique Award: Tom Liberatore

Club Awards

• Bruce Wilkinson Winner (AFL Trainers’ Award) – Tom Liberatore
• Ben Bradley Winner (VFL Trainers’ Award) – Roarke Smith
• VFL Best and Fairest: Lachie Sullivan
• John Schultz Community Award: Tom Liberatore
• Ingrid McDonald Award: Sean Pollard