The 35th edition of the Club Champion will be hosted on Saturday night.

The winner of Adelaide’s highest individual award will receive the Malcolm Blight Medal, named after the Club’s two-time Premiership coach.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the night. 

Which Crow is a chance to take home this year’s Malcolm Blight Medal?

Crows Captain Jordan Dawson is one of the favourites for the medal, having finished fourth overall in the Brownlow Medal count last month.

Dawson, who is vying for a third-straight Malcolm Blight Medal, averaged 23.4 possessions, 7.4 tackles, and 4.4 clearances across 25 games.

The reigning co-Club Champion winner will have likely caught the coaches’ eyes again after a stellar 2025 season, that included being named in the All-Australian team as Vice Captain, the AFLPA’s Best Captain, while also finishing fifth in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award, with 90 coaches’ votes.

Key forward Riley Thilthorpe is also likely to be in contention, after posting career-best returns in almost every stat category - including contested marks (1.92), contested possessions (7.72) and disposals (13.7).

Thilthorpe played all 25 games this season (23 minor rounds, and two finals), and finished with 60 goals, to earn a maiden All-Australian team selection.

Fellow forward/midfielder Izak Rankine could be one to watch.

Rankine, who was named in the All-Australian squad, lined up in 22 games this season, averaging 20.5 possessions.

He was rated ‘elite’ for average clearances with 4.4, and kicked 31 goals.

Ultra consistent and co-reigning Club Champion Ben Keays is set to challenge the leaderboard again, after being rated ‘elite’ in average disposals (16.8) across the League.

Keays lined up in all 25 matches this season and finished with 36 goals.

Defender Josh Worrell could be in line to claim his first Malcolm Blight Medal, after a career-best campaign in the Crows’ backline.

Worrell became a key pillar in defence, averaging 21 disposals, 5.8 marks, 6.7 pressure acts, and 3.4 spoils from 25 games, to earn a spot in the All-Australian squad.

The voting process

The Malcolm Blight Medallist is determined by coaches rating every player with a score from 1-10 after every game.

Captain Jordan Dawson and Ben Keays are the reigning Malcolm Blight Medallists, having tied for the Club’s highest individual honour last season, polling 107 votes apiece.

Dawson was a back-to-back winner, after claiming the award in 2023, while it was the first time Keays had taken home the medal.

Jake Soligo finished as runner-up with 93 votes in 2024, followed by Max Michalanney (89), Darcy Fogarty (87) and three-time Club Champion Rory Laird, who polled 82 votes.

How to watch

A livestream starting from Round 23 voting, culminating in the Malcolm Blight winner being crowned, will be available for Members and fans to watch, beginning at approximately 9.57pm (ACST) on AFC.com.au and on the Adelaide Crows App.

Coverage of the night will also be available across the Club’s social media channels. 

A range of other awards will also be presented on the night, listed below.

Awards presented on the night:

Leading Goal Kicker - presented to the player who has scored the most goals during the season, including finals.

Phil Walsh Best Team Man - recognises the most selfless player, who lives and breathes ‘team first’, and leads with outstanding character on and off the field.

Players' Trademark Award - voted on by the players and coaches. Presented to the player who embodied the players’ trademark and best upheld the core values of the team, on and off the field, throughout the season.

The Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award - recognises the outstanding achievement and contribution of a first or second-year player under 21, both on and off the field.

Members’ Most Valuable Player - voted on by the Club’s Members.

Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy - introduced in 2012 in memory of inaugural Crows Club doctor and Life Member Dr Brian Sando OAM. It recognises outstanding and professional attention to detail in the preparation for being an AFL footballer.

SANFL Club Champion - the winner of the Crows’ best and fairest player in the SANFL.

Dean Bailey Award - recognises the Club's most impressive SANFL development player based on performance, dedication to training and commitment to the team.

Crows Foundation Community Award - acknowledges players’ exceptional contributions to the community.