Nic Naitanui, the AFL’s dominant ruckman, tonight joined the West Coast Eagles elite when he won the 2020 John Worsfold Medal at Crown’s Grand Ballroom.

Naitanui pipped star wingman Andrew Gaff with a best-on-ground performance in the heart-breaking elimination final loss to Collingwood.

Going into that game the All Australian ruckman was sitting three votes adrift of the ultra-consistent Gaff, but polled a maximum 15 votes while his midfield cohort was awarded 10 – resulting in a two-vote triumph in the Club Champion Award for the popular big man – 194 votes to 192.

Naitanui, who was rested in the round 16 game against the Western Bulldogs, played one game fewer than Gaff, All Australian defender Brad Sheppard (163) and key backman Tom Barrass (154), who filled the three positions behind him.

In fifth place was another defender, Liam Duggan, who franked his best and most consistent season in senior football by polling 152 votes. He also played a game less than Gaff, Sheppard and Barrass.

In sixth place in a packed field behind Naitanui and Gaff was Liam Ryan, who earned his first All Australian blazer, and was expected to be prominent.

In claiming the mantle of Club Champion, Naitanui became only the second ruckman in club history to win the coveted award, behind his predecessor, Dean Cox, who topped the poll in 2008.

Prior to his victory tonight, Naitanui’s highest finish in the award had been fifth in 2010, with other top 10 finishes coming in 2011 (seventh), 2014 (ninth) and 2015 (eighth).

One of the most influential players in the game, his record has obviously been impeded by two serious knee injuries.

Gaff, who won the award in 2015, has an amazing record and has now finished in the top 10 nine seasons in succession – including eight times in the top five. That’s a stunning achievement that ranks him among the finest players in club history.

While Sheppard earned due recognition outside of the club for the first time when he was named in the back pocket in the team of the year, has value to the inner sanctum was galvanised when he also won the Chris Mainwaring Medal as the best clubman.

Young defender Josh Rotham, who made strong gains playing 10 games in 2020, was named as the Emerging Talent, while Naitanui was also recognised for his heroics against the Pies with the Player of the Finals Award.

Champion forward Josh Kennedy took home the Leading Goalkicker Award for the seventh time after booting 34 majors in the shortened season, while sidekick Jamie Cripps’ claims to life membership at the Eagles was formalised.

Cripps played his 150^th game in round three against Brisbane to qualify for the honour and was presented with the award in front of about 600 people at tonight’s function.

Eric Mackenzie, who won the 2014 Club Champion Award, and 2006 premiership player Beau Waters were also afforded life membership.

Sadly, injuries curtailed Mackenzie's career three games short of the automatic qualifying mark. He is currently overseas studying, but recorded a message of acknowledgement.  

Waters managed 120 appearances as one of the toughest players in the competition, while former chairman Alan Cransberg was also honoured with lifetime membership.