IT SEEMS a foregone conclusion midfielder Scott Thompson will cap off a career-best season by winning his first Malcolm Blight Medal at Adelaide's Club Champion presentation to be held at the Convention Centre on Friday night.

Thompson was a standout in the Crows' disappointing season, and is tipped to take out the gold jacket by a record margin.

Dual premiership defender and assistant coach Ben Hart currently holds the record for the biggest winning margin in the club's best and fairest award, having finished 124 votes clear of Andrew McLeod to receive the honour in 1999.

However, it's difficult to compare the results of past counts because the voting system has changed several times since ruckman Mark Mickan won Adelaide's inaugural Club Champion award in 1991.

The voting system has changed again this year.

In the past two seasons, players have received a score of between 0-4 in each game, but this year they will receive a score of between 0-8.

A player will be awarded 1-2 votes for winning or breaking even in his position and contributing; 3-4 votes for winning his position and having an impact on the game; 5-6 for winning his position and having a significant impact, and finally 7-8 votes for winning his position and having a major impact.

With Thompson a short-priced favourite to be crowned Club Champion for 2011, the interest is in the minor placings and other award winners.

AFL.com.au's Katrina Gill assesses the leading candidates.

The Malcolm Blight Medal
Adelaide could have started fitting Thompson for the gold jacket at the halfway mark of the season. The 28-year-old completed his rise to elite-midfielder status and received the outside recognition he deserved, being included in the preliminary 40-man All Australian squad.

He finished second in the AFL in disposals (673), seventh in clearances (136) and 11th in contested possessions. The tough onballer carried his team's struggling midfield for much of the season, and was one of only four Crows to play every game. Thompson has finished top-three in the Malcolm Blight Medal in three of the past for years, and would be a deserving winner in 2011.

Adelaide's rock in defence Ben Rutten enjoyed another consistent season and should expect a top-three finish, while Graham Johncock put in several dominant performances across half-back. Ex-Carlton ruckman Sam Jacobs was a revelation in his first year at West Lakes, missing only three games through injury and assuming the mantle as No.1 ruckman. Patrick Dangerfield and Nathan van Berlo, who finished the season strongly, played every game and should also poll well.

Best Team Man
Ben Rutten and Nathan van Berlo loom as the leading contenders for this award. Both leadership group members assumed enormous responsibility this season in the absence of long-time leaders Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards and Brett Burton. Van Berlo admitted to feeling weighed down by the captaincy at times during the club's difficult year, but responded to finish the season strongly after a move into the midfield, while Rutten was at his reliable best. Young onballer Rory Sloane appears destined to win this award in the near future.

Coach’s Award
If Scott Thompson doesn't clean up this award as well, Jared Petrenko would be a worthy winner. Petrenko's career was under threat after the opening two months of the season.

The injury-hit utility had played only two games, starting as the substitute on both occasions and was struggling to find his niche in the team. To the 21-year-old's credit, he was able to turn things around in the latter-half of the year. Petrenko emerged as a livewire switching between the midfield and attack, harassing opposition players with his defensive pressure and providing another goalkicking option. He starred with 18 possessions, eight tackles and a saving mark and goal in Adelaide's win over the Sydney Swans in round 15.

Mark Bickley Award
This award recognises the achievements of a first or second-year player both on and away from the field. Departing defender Phil Davis received the honour last season, and the award could go to his replacement Daniel Talia this year. Talia overcame injury to play nine games, and display great poise in defence. The club is also impressed by the 19-year-old's work ethic and professionalism. Matt Wright and mature-age recruit Ian Callinan could also be considered here.

Emerging Talent Award
Remarkably, Jack Gunston didn't receive a NAB Rising Star nomination for his impressive finish to the season, but he could be recognised with the award for emerging talent. A wrist injury hindered the second-year forward's goalkicking, but he still managed to kick 12 goals in his last five games, including five against Richmond in round 23. Talia could also figure here if he's overlooked for the Mark Bickley award.

Leading Goalkicker
Taylor Walker (32)

19th Man Most Valuable Player
Scott Thompson

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.