Mutaz El Nour has claimed his second Guinane Medal, crowned the VFL Best and Fairest for a second consecutive year.
The key defender played 18 games in 2026, leading from the front, helping develop young key back men throughout the season under coach Jack Madgen.
He averaged 16.3 disposals, 8.4 intercepts and 6.7 marks in 2026.
El Nour was selected in the Smithy’s VFL State Team squad of 43 this season, following a strong start to his campaign, when he collected 16 and 17 disposals in Rounds 1 and 2 respectively. He was also named in the Team of the Year Squad.
He stood tall with a season-best 23 disposals against Frankston in Round 6, taking 10 marks and laying five tackles in the narrow loss.
The 25-year-old followed up with 10 marks against Box Hill in Round 8, as well as another nine against Carlton in Round 15.
Madgen heaped praise on the vice-captain throughout the season.
“El Nour was exceptional and solid in defence all season,” Madgen said earlier this year.
“He was confident and used the ball well, always defending with intent this year.”
Coming runner-up to El Nour was excitement and running machine, Nick Collier.
Collier was highly-touted by Madgen in 2026, often championed for his fearlessness and aggressiveness to find the ball.
In just his third season at the level, Collier took his game to new heights, playing 18 matches.
He had a season-high 23 disposals against the Cats in Round 16, while also notching up 21 disposals against Sydney, Carlton and Box Hill.
But it was the defender’s elite tackle pressure that had opposition worried this season, laying an impressive 81 tackles across his 18 games, at an average of 4.5 per game.
The 22-year-old impressed with 11 tackles against Box Hill in Round 8.
Collier notched his 50th VFL game in the second last game of the season, as he looks to build and continue his exciting career in the yellow and black.
He also was crowned the winner of the inaugural Steve Morris Award, presented to the VFL player who best embodies the Club's values, trademarks and standards. The player-voted award was introduced this year and is the VFL version of the prestigious Francis Bourke Award.
In third place was crafty forward Sam Toner, who had a breakout 2026 campaign that caught the attention of the league.
In just his second season at VFL level, Toner took his game to new heights, kicking 21 goals from just 15 matches.
He starred in the Round 3 victory over St Kilda, booting a whopping six goals and collecting 19 disposals.
Toner had three goals hauls in Round 1 against Southport, Round 7 against Williamstown and Round 9 against the Bombers.
Madgen lauded Toner’s forward craft and aerial ability this season, dubbing him the “barometer” against the Saints in Round 3.
The trio accepted their awards at Tuesday night’s Jack Dyer Medal at Crown.
VFL 2026 Best and Fairest
1st – Mutaz El Nour
2nd – Nick Collier
3rd – Sam Toner
Steve Morris Award
Nick Collier
