At least that was until last Friday night when Jack Redden brought Black’s three-year unbeaten reign to end by claiming the 2012 trophy.
Redden now becomes only the second player in Club history to be recognised by his peers with this esteemed honour, which is voted on ‘by’ the players ‘for’ the players.
See the full list of award winners from the 2012 Club Champion event
Each week, the players voted for who they felt best reflected the values they strive for as a group - with a great emphasis placed on acts that benefited the team as a whole and not necessarily the individual.
The player with the most votes each week holds the temporary title of ‘Players’ Player’ until the process starts again after the next game.
As it turned out, Redden was voted on by his team-mates as the ‘Players’ Player’ more times than any of his teammates throughout the season, making him the ultimate winner.
And it comes as no surprise considering the 21 year-old enjoyed another productive season in the midfield, leading the team in key statistical categories such as disposals (549) and tackles (143).
He also collected a Club-high 113 clearances - another achievement which has generally belonged to Black for the better part of the last decade.
“I’m very honoured to win this award,” Redden said upon receiving the award on Club Champion night.
“It gets voted by the players each week, and it’s a great honour from the blokes I run out with, and go to war with, each week.”
The award was appropriately presented by Captain Jonathan Brown.
