AFL 2023: Essendon captain Zach Merrett wins best-and-fairest

May 2024 · 2 minute read

Zach Merrett has capped off his first year as Essendon captain with a victory in the club’s best-and-fairest award on Thursday night and joined some the club’s greatest names in rare air.

The 28-year-old was presented with his fourth Crichton Medal in a ceremony at Melbourne Park, joining club greats Tim Watson and Simon Madden and moving closer to James Hird (five wins) and Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison (seven).

Merrett finished 20 votes clear of Kyle Langford, with the utility’s second place his highest in nine seasons after a breakout campaign as a forward.

Langford booted 51 goals to make the All-Australian squad, where he was joined by teammate Mason Redman, who placed third.

The Bombers’ reduced reliance on Darcy Parish at stoppages was on show as the recently re-contracted ballwinner slid to eighth place, but he missed five games in the middle of the season due to a calf injury.

Vice-captain Andrew McGrath won the best clubman award and the John Kilby award from the Bombers’ staff and trainers, while Redman was named most courageous.

Alwyn Davey Jr was recognised with the Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star award after he played 10 games in his first season and kicked four goals.

Essendon Crichton Medal Top 10

1. Zach Merrett (211 votes)

2. Kyle Langford (191)

3. Mason Redman (163)

4. Andrew McGrath (160)

5. Jordan Ridley (150)

6. Nic Martin (146)

7. Jye Caldwell (142)

8. Darcy Parish (137)

9. Sam Durham (120)

10. Dyson Heppell (114)

Other awards

Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman – Andrew McGrath

Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player – Mason Redman

Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker – Kyle Langford

John Kilby Staff and Trainers Award – Andrew McGrath

Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star – Alwyn Davey Jnr

McCracken Medal (club values) – Zach Merrett and Kyle Langford

Louis Rowe Medal (VWFL B&F) – Scott van Gemert

Clifford Denise Wise Medal – Ben Milton

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