Brown up there as Higgins triumphs

NORTH Melbourne midfielder Shaun Higgins last night won his first Syd Barker Medal, as Tasmanian Ben Brown also stamped himself as a potential future winner.

The classy Higgins polled 217 votes to win the best and fairest ahead of hard nut midfielder Ben Cunnington (211 votes) and gun forward Brown (209).

After leaving the Western Bulldogs three years ago, the midfielder enjoyed a careerbest season in 2017, racking up highs in disposals (average 23.5 per game) and tackles (five).

Importantly, he overcame the debilitating injury issues that limited him to only nine games in 2016 and three matches in 2013.

Brown has emerged as one of the AFL’s top key forwards this season, booting a careerhigh 63 goals for the year to finish third in the Coleman Medal race.

His remarkable season is set to be rewarded with a lucrative contract extension over summer to help lock away the Werribee product to a long-term deal.

Last year’s winner, Robbie Tarrant, finished fourth, while important youngsters Luke McDonald (fifth) and Taylor Garner (eighth) were also rewarded for strong seasons.

All-Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein did not finish in the top 10 for the second year in a row but is determined to stay and help lead North’s resurgence next season.

Veterans Sam Gibson (equal sixth) and Scott Thompson (ninth) remain two of North’s most reliable players but are without contracts for next year.