The 36th edition of the Adelaide Football Club’s Malcolm Blight Medal will be hosted on Friday 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?
Midfielder Izak Rankine is likely to be in contention, after posting career-best returns in almost every stat category.
Following a permanent switch into the midfield, Rankine averaged 24.4 disposals, 5.2 clearances and 4.1 tackles across 20 minor round games.
His campaign was highlighted by a record-breaking 223 Champion Data ranking points against Richmond in Round 22, the highest tally recorded by an Adelaide player, eclipsing Mark Ricciuto's long-standing club record of 218.
The 26-year-old amassed more than 30 disposals seven times during the year and earned selection in the 2026 All-Australian squad.
Rankine polled Coaches Votes in nine games, for a total of 67, and finished 10th overall in the Brownlow Medal count with a career-best 25 votes, to be Adelaide's leading vote-getter.
Captain Jordan Dawson enters the count following another strong campaign, with the midfielder producing consistent performances throughout 2026.
Dawson averaged 26.5 disposals, 5.7 tackles and 4.1 clearances, with his best game coming against Richmond in Round 22, when he collected 35 disposals, six marks and a goal.
The Skipper was also named All-Australian Vice Captain and recognised by his peers with the AFLPA's Best Captain and Most Courageous awards.
He also led Adelaide's Coaches Votes tally with 80 votes from 12 games, including four perfect 10-vote performances.
Dawson finished the 2026 Brownlow Medal count with 21 votes, placing 13th overall and second among Adelaide players.
Should he win, Dawson will make history becoming the only Crow to claim the Malcolm Blight Medal four times in a row.
Dawson won his first Malcolm Blight Medal in 2023, shared the honour with Ben Keays in 2024, and then claimed the award outright in 2025.
Fellow midfielder Sam Berry could also be one for Crows fans to watch on Friday night after a strong season.
Berry led the competition for effective tackles, with 160, six clear of Brisbane’s Josh Dunkley. He also won the 2026 Showdown Medal for best-a-field, finishing the game with 29 disposals, 19 tackles, four clearances and 704 metres gained.
Lachlan McAndrew will be another one to watch after a breakout season as Adelaide’s No.1 ruck.
McAndrew took over the mantle as the main ruckman at the start of the 2026 campaign, following good form in the pre-season.
He made his Club debut in Round One against Collingwood and lined up in all but one game, including the Crows’ two finals, averaging 32.1 hit-outs, and 8.3 hit-outs to advantage.
Past three Malcolm Blight Medal winners:
2023 - Jordan Dawson
2024 - Jordan Dawson, Ben Keays (first ever joint winners)
2025 - Jordan Dawson
The voting process
Adelaide’s Malcolm Blight Medal is calculated by coaches rating every player with a score from 1-10 after every game, including finals.
Coaches’ votes for the Malcolm Blight Medal are influenced by a player’s execution of their role and overall impact on the game’s result.
Captain Jordan Dawson is the reigning Malcolm Blight Medallist, having claimed the Club’s individual honour the past three years in a row.
In 2025, Dawson polled 149 votes to finish ahead of forward Riley Thilthorpe (143 votes).
Defender Josh Worrell (138 votes), and forwards Ben Keays (137) and Alex Neal-Bullen (135) rounded out last season’s top five.
For more details on last year’s winners, click here.
How to follow
Members and fans can follow the Malcolm Blight Medal count via a live blog, which will be available on the Crows’ website and App.
Coverage of the night will also be available across the Club’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts.
Awards presented on the night:
A range of other awards will also be presented on the night, listed below.
Leading Goalkicker - presented to the player who has scored the most goals during the season, including finals.
Past three winners:
2025 - Riley Thilthorpe (60 goals)
2024 - Darcy Fogarty (41)
2023 - Taylor Walker (76)
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.
Past three winners:
2025 - Alex Neal-Bullen
2024 - Reilly O'Brien
2023 - Reilly O'Brien
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.
Past three winners
2023 - Jordan Dawson
2024 - Jordan Dawson
2025 - Jordan Dawson
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.
Past three winners:
2025 - Dan Curtin
2024 - Jake Soligo
2023 - Max Michalanney
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.
Past three winners:
2025 - Jordan Dawson
2024 - Ben Keays
2023 - Taylor Walker
SANFL Club Champion - the winner of the Crows’ best and fairest player in the SANFL.
Past three winners:
2025 - Chris Burgess
2024 - Kieran Strachan
2023 - Jackson Hately
Dean Bailey Award - recognises the Club's most impressive SANFL development player
based on performance, dedication to training and commitment to the team.
Past three winners:
2025 - Jay Boyle
2024 - Stephen Tahana
2023 - Blayne O'Loughlin
Crows Foundation Community Award - acknowledges players’ exceptional contributions
to the community.
Past three winners:
2025 - Nick Murray
2024 - Reilly O'Brien
2023 - Reilly O'Brien
2026 Life Members
Adelaide will also formally acknowledge its 2026 Life Members - Peter Caven, Wayne Milera and Steve Edgecomb at the Malcolm Blight Medal on Friday night.
For more information on the 2026 Life Members, click here.
