Ross finished with 159 votes ahead of gun backman Dylan Roberton (124) and captain Jarryn Geary (121).
Ross paid tribute to retirees Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster and Sam Fisher, who finished up after the end of the 2016 season, for teaching him valuable lessons.
"The legacy you left on me, you taught me how to work as a young kid," Ross said.
"It probably took me three or four years to figure it out and those three or four years watching you guys each day in your own life, you just put your head down and your bums up and you worked hard, you're as loyal as they come, you're some of the greatest blokes I've ever met and I just wish you guys well in the future."