Shaun Higgins’s superb season has been recognised with a second consecutive club champion award, as he was awarded the 2018 Syd Barker Medal on Friday night.

North Media has taken a look back at the best year of Higgins’ career - so far.

After having a career-best season in 2017, Higgins picked up where he left off in 2018, beginning the season in brilliant form

Standout performances in Round 2 & 4 helped North Melbourne record big wins over St Kilda and Carlton respectively, with Higgins setting a career-best for disposals with 35 against the Blues.

North’s number 4 endured one of the most eventful days of his life in Round 5, with his wife giving birth to his first child before suffering a serious concussion in the win over Hawthorn.

Higgins returned in Round 7 to help the Roos to a famous win at the SCG, recording 31 disposals and three Brownlow votes

By Round 10, North Melbourne held a 6-4 record, with plenty of that owing to the brilliance of Higgins.

In June however, the classy midfielder once again took his game to another level, as he collected 30+ disposals in four consecutive games, including a career-high 38 against Brisbane, which resulted in him being named the AFLPA MVP for the month of June.

Higgins remained in brilliant form throughout the season, and played his 200^th career game in the win over eventual premiers West Coast in Round 19.

The 30-year-old finished the season with career best numbers, averaging 27.4 disposals, 5.9 inside 50s and 5.2 clearances, putting him well and truly in the top echelon of the game’s midfielders.

Higgins stellar year was capped off with All Australian selection for the first time of his career.

He was also North’s top vote getter at the 2018 Brownlow Medal count, and has now been awarded the Roos most prestigious club honour, the Syd Barker Medal, for a second consecutive year.

Ben Cunnington

The 2018 runner up and 2014 medallist, Ben Cunnington was a symbol of consistency for North Melbourne this season.

Averaging a career-high 25.6 disposals this season, Cunnington quickly jumped on the radar of football fans in 2018 because of his ability to win the contested ball.

The hard-nosed midfielder played every game this season, which is a testament to his durability and toughness.

In Round 8 against Richmond, Cunnington broke the record for most contested possessions in a single game, recording a whopping 32, bettering the 29 set by Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield and Sydney’s Josh Kennedy.

This was no fluke, with the 27-year-old producing consistent performances throughout the season, which saw him rank fourth in total contested possessions across the competition.

In Round 8 he took a career-high eight marks against Essendon and in Round 19 in Hobart, he set a personal best number of disposals, recording 39 against the Eagles.

Robbie Tarrant

Key defender Robbie Tarrant played all but one game in 2018, and remained one of the most valuable players in the side.

Forming a solid partnership with Scott Thompson and then introducing Majak Daw into the fold, Tarrant was a part of the backline which, conceded the least amount of points in the opening five rounds.

The 29-year-old’s ability and willingness to match-up on the game’s best forwards, and do commendable jobs on them week in, week out, is why he remains one of the most underrated defenders in the game.

Unafraid to take intercept marks, the 29-year-old recorded a career-high 16 marks against Hawthorn in Round 5 as well as 20 disposals that same afternoon.

Round 16 against the Suns was also a highlight of Tarrant’s taking ten marks and recording 26 disposals.