Patrick Cripps will become the youngest player in Carlton history to win back-to-back best-and-fairest medals should he be crowned the 2016 John Nicholls Medallist. 

Proudly presented by Hyundai, Carlton will host the annual John Nicholls Medal at Crown Palladium on Friday night. 

Just five players – Bruce Comben (1957-’58), John James (1960-’61), John Nicholls (1966-’68) Geoff Southby (1971-’72) and Chris Judd (2008-‘10) – have received Carlton’s highest individual honour in successive years.

Southby currently stands as the youngest to go back-to-back, but the Carlton legend will be eclipsed by just over seven months if Cripps takes out the 2016 John Nicholls Medal at the age of 21 years and 176 days.

The Blues’ best-and-fairest award began in 1929, before taking a four-year hiatus and being renamed the Robert Reynolds Trophy from 1934-2003.

Since 2004, it has been named the John Nicholls Medal in honour of the Blues’ former No.2, who won the best and fairest a club-record five times.

Champion defender Bruce Doull ranks second with four best-and-fairest awards, ahead of Craig Bradley, Brett Ratten, James and Judd (three).

The 2016 John Nicholls Medal begins at 7pm from Crown Palladium on Friday night. Click here for a guide.

CARLTON'S BEST-AND-FAIREST WINNERS: