Nick Liddle claims 2017 Knuckey Cup
Nick Liddle has claimed the 2017 Knuckey Cup after yet another ultra-consistent year for the Panthers.
The hard-nosed midfielder joins rarefied air as a four-time winner of South Adelaide's highest individual accolade, with only FJ Tully (1929, '30, '33 and '35) and David Kappler (1985, '87, '88 and '91) also claiming quadruple cups.
Liddle finished Saturday night's count on 113 votes, earning his fourth best and fairest gong just four votes clear of triple-winner Joel Cross, with reliable utility Matt Rose rounding out the top three with 101 votes.
In a disappointing year for South, Liddle was one of the shining lights. He rarely put in a poor performance and his consistency was reflected in his strong polling from the coaches as he led the count from the outset.
Joel Cross did mount a late charge, winning four consecutive best on grounds to close the season, but Liddle's consistent brilliance proved too much to reel in. However, Cross did maintain his record of never finishing worse than second in Knuckey Cup voting since joining the Club in 2011.
Liddle's success firmly cements his legacy amongst South Adelaide's greatest players, with only Club legends Jim Deane (six - 1948, '49, '51, '53, '56 and '57) and Peter Darley (seven - 1963, '64, '66, '67, '68, '72 and '73) boasting more Knuckey Cups in their cabinets.
Earlier in the evening Alex "Reggie" Moyle was awarded the J.L. Brown Trophy as the Reserves Best & Fairest, while son of 2002 Knuckey Cup winner Clay Sampson, Hayden Sampson took out the Centre of Excellence Under-18s Best & Fairest.
See below for a full list of award winners and leaderboards from all grades.
Senior Award Winners
Knuckey Cup (Best & Fairest): Nick Liddle
Runner-Up Best & Fairest: Joel Cross
Third Best & Fairest: Matt Rose
Cibo Espresso Colonnades Fans MVP: Nick Liddle
Milestone Chemicals Players' Player Award: Joel
Player Trademark Award (peer voted): Joel Cross
Flinders University League Most Improved Player: Ben Heaslip
League Leading Goalkicker: Ben Haren (23 goals)
Knuckles Award (Best Defender): Luke Durdin
Dr Jim Harley/Frank Brown Memorial Trophy (Best Clubman): Brede Seccull
David Kantilla Memorial Trophy (Best First Year League Player): Cody Szust
Junior Award Winners
Best & Fairest: Hayden Sampson
Runner-Up Best & Fairest: Sam Whitbread
Third Best & Fairest: Liam Fitt
Leading Goalkicker: Job Colwell (34 goals)
Flinders University Most Improved: Darnell Tucker
Best Team Man: Jonty Manuel
Colin & Peter Haines Trophy (Best Junior Clubman): Ryan Mayes
Fred & Mavis Whitwell Trophy (U18 Rising Star): Robert Irra
Knuckey Cup Leaderboard
1. Nick Liddle - 113
2. Joel Cross - 109
3. Matt Rose - 101
4. Luke Durdin - 90
5. Brad Crabb - 87
6. Matt Rankine - 86
7. Nic Schwarz - 84
8. Joseph Haines - 83
9. Ben Heaslip - 79
10. Tom Fields - 75
Reserves Leaderboard
1. Alex Moyle - 86
2. Jesse McKinnon - 83
3. Alex Aurrichio - 82
4. Joseph Tyllis - 78
5. Coby Helyar - 67
6. Bryce Damin - 65
7. Ben Millman - 64
8. Ryan Need - 61
9. Robert Badger - 57
10. Cody Szust - 56
10. Jordan Taylor - 56
Under-18 Leaderboard
1. Hayden Sampson - 56
2. Sam Whitbread - 53
3. Liam Fitt - 49
4. Jonty Manuel - 46
5. Cameron McGree - 42
6. Luke Bogle - 41
6. Darnell Tucker - 41
8. Bodie Sowter - 40
9. Job Colwell - 38
9. Eamon Wilkinson - 38
