Thompson, Wells share Syd

Kangaroos midfielder Daniel Wells in full flight against Essendon. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Colleen Petch / HeraldSun

SCOTT Thompson and Daniel Wells were joint winners of North Melbourne's best and fairest award after a thrilling vote count last night.

All-Australian full-back Thompson and Wells tied on 50 votes, finishing one ahead of ruckman Todd Goldstein.

But leading goalkicker Lindsay Thomas, who missed out on All-Australian small forward selection, did not finish in the top-10 of voting.

Thompson, 27, has twice finished second in the award, but was last night rewarded for his supreme consistency helping curb the league's premier forwards.

The man who was originally overlooked in the draft and forced to start his career in the VFL also took out the best clubman award, as determined by the Roos' coaches.

Wells is now a two-time Syd Barker medallist, helping complete a stellar comeback from a life-threatening blood clot found in his lungs in late 2011.

Despite heavy tagging from the opposition, Wells' sparkling form has repaid the club's faith after selecting the silken midfielder with pick No.2 in the 2002 national draft.

Vice-captain Drew Petrie was fourth on 46 votes, while young midfielders Ben Cunnington and Ryan Bastinac capped off the best year of their careers, finishing fifth and sixth.

Earlier in the night Wells and Michael Firrito were awarded life memberships.

Former rookie defender Aaron Mullett was named best first year player, while Thomas was recognised for his work off the field as the Peter Scanlon Community Award winner.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott revealed goalsneak Thomas and emerging midfielder Ben Cunnington had re-signed with the club until the end of 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Meanwhile, Sydney assistant coach Leigh Tudor has agreed to join North Melbourne as a senior assistant coach next year, if he is unsuccessful in Essendon's coaching race.

Highly regarded for his stoppage work and team defence, Tudor has told the Roos he will be at Scott's side unless he wins a senior coaching job in the next fortnight. He is a frontrunner to fill James Hird's void.

Scott announced the appointment last night. Tudor had played key coaching roles at Sydney and St Kilda and coached Geelong's VFL team to a premiership.

North Melbourne star Daniel Wells kicked four goals in the Kangaroos hard-fought win over Geelong. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: HeraldSun

SYD BARKER TOP 10

1. Scott Thompson 50
1. Daniel Wells 50
3. Todd Goldstein 49
4. Drew Petrie 46
5. Ben Cunnington 45*
6. Ryan Bastinac 45*
7. Jack Ziebell 43
8. Lachie Hansen 41*
9. Sam Gibson 41*
10. Aaron Mullett 40
(* countback applicable for all placings other than first)

OTHER AWARDS
Glenn Archer Northerners Award – Jack Ziebell
Blackwoods Supporters Player of the Year Award – Jack Ziebell
Jason McCartney Jumper Award – Jack Ziebell
Best First Year Player – Aaron Mullett
Harold Henderson Best Clubman Award – Scott Thompson
Peter Scanlon Community Award – Lindsay Thomas

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