DANIEL Wells and Andrew Swallow have been named joint winners of North Melbourne's 2011 best and fairest, after finishing in a tie at the Syd Barker Medal count on Monday night.   

At the end of the count at Crown Palladium, the midfielders were locked on 46 votes, 10 votes clear of Drew Petrie (third on a count back) and five-time winner Brent Harvey.

Swallow's win was his second North best fairest, following his 2009 win and third-place finish in last year's count, one vote behind joint winners Harvey and Brady Rawlings.

It was Wells' maiden Syd Barker triumph, his previous best finish a tie for second in 2006.

The award was especially sweet for Wells, who overcame groin problems that had hampered him since 2009 to display the most consistent form of his nine-season career, only to suffer life-threatening blood clots late in the 2011 season.

Wells told afl.com.au recently that his condition, then undiagnosed, was so serious his decision to book in early for shoulder surgery after North's round 23 loss to St Kilda could have saved his life.

But, ultimately, it will be Wells' football in 2011 that's best remembered. The 26-year-old midfielder averaged 23.4 possessions a game, led North for kicks and was equal second for total disposals, as he earned a place in the All Australian squad.

More significantly, Wells changed many people's perceptions of him as a footballer. Previously seen as a graceful player who mainly hurt opposition teams with his run and precise foot skills, Wells again showcased those skills, but also unveiled a tougher, inside edge to his game. He finished second at North for clearances and third for contested possessions.

Swallow's remarkable run in the Syd Barker over the past three years highlights his emergence as one of the game's best midfielders.

In 2011, he joined Wells in the All Australian squad after averaging 25.5 possessions a game and finishing third in the League for clearances (148) in the home and away season, fourth in hardball gets (146) and equal fifth in tackles (145). Swallow also led North in these areas, along with handballs, disposals and contested possessions.

He had 30 or more disposals in eight games, with his biggest haul coming in round 11 against Adelaide, when he racked up 39 touches that included 27 contested possessions, 17 clearances and two goals. Remarkably, 17 of Swallow's possessions that night came in the first quarter.

Swallow was also North's leading vote-getter in this year's Brownlow Medal, finishing with 16 votes.

Petrie was another of the night's feel-good stories. The North vice-captain played just two games in 2010 after breaking his left foot once and his right foot twice. But Petrie returned in 2011 sound and hit the best form of his career.

Stationed as a deep forward save for occasional stints in the ruck, Petrie was a colossus inside North's forward 50, taking the third most contested marks (49) in the competition in the home and away season, finishing eighth on the League goalkicking table (with a career-high 48 goals) and achieving his first All Australian selection.

The athletic tall turns 29 on October 15 but has never been a more imposing on-field presence. Petrie's high marking was the standout feature of his play in 2011 - he took six speccies that were nominated for mark of the year.

Petrie's finish was his fourth top-five placing in North's best and fairest and his best result since he was a narrow second to Harvey in 2008.

Harvey's fourth placing underlines just what an important player the 33-year-old continued to be for the Kangaroos in 2011. Given the remarkable consistency he has shown over his 16-season career, North fans can expect more Harvey magic next season.

The top-10 placegetters were rounded out (in order of finish) by Leigh Adams, Jack Ziebell, Todd Goldstein, Brady Rawlings, Aaron Edwards and Scott Thompson.

Of the night's other awards, Petrie won the Jason McCartney Award (most courageous player), Cameron Pedersen best first year player, recent retiree Rawlings best clubman, Jamie Macmillan the community award, Ziebell the Northerners Award and Swallow the Blackwoods supporters player of the year.

Also on the night, dual premiership player and former captain Anthony Stevens was inducted into North's Hall of Fame, along with Sid Dyer, Kevin Dynon and Frank Trainor, while Les Foote was elevated to Legend status.