King and Whateley’s quarter-by-quarter 2024 Norm Smith Medal votes

David King and Gerard Whateley have rewatched the 2024 AFL Grand Final and handed out their Norm Smith Medal votes on a 3-2-1 quarter-by-quarter basis.

Brisbane midfielder Will Ashcroft took home the medal for his starring 30-disposal, one-goal, 11-score involvement performance and received 14 votes out of a possible 15 from the five-person Norm Smith panel on the day.

While Ashcroft was a clear winner with the voters ahead of Lachie Neale on eight votes, both King and Whateley saw the same a bit differently after analysing it in segments for each quarter.

Check out the duo’s comments and votes for each quarter below.

Q1 – Syd 3.1 (19) v Bris 4.3 (27)

King’s votes

3 – Hugh McCluggage (BRI)
2 – Harris Andrews (BRI)
1 – Lachie Neale (BRI)

“I gave McCluggage the three, I thought he was all damage with nine disposals, four score involvements and he disrupted the midfield match-up," King said on SEN Whateley.

“I gave two to Andrews – look last year (on Billy Frampton) – instead of playing the other player’s game, he played his own game. Four intercepts for the quarter. He didn’t allow Luke Parker to distract him.

“I gave one and it could have been more for Lachie Neale. He was clean and took the game from inside to out.”

Whateley’s votes

3 – Hugh McCluggage (BRI)
2 – Lachie Neale (BRI)
1 – Joe Daniher (BRI)

“I gave three to McCluggage and two to Neale," Whateley said.

“Then I tossed up three for Andrews and Daniher, but I went with Daniher.”

Q2 – Syd 1.2 (8) v Bris 7.4 (46)

HT score Syd (27) v Bris (73)

King’s votes

3 – Will Ashcroft (BRI)
2 – Lachie Neale (BRI)
1 – Kai Lohmann (BRI)

“Ashcroft had nine disposals, seven of those in the forward half and three score involvements.

“Two to Neale, he was really smart to sweep into the defensive half early where he got a bit of ball, he helped them work it up. He had nine disposals and three big clearances.

“I gave Lohmann one, just his sheer creativity and he was involved in three score involvements.

“Josh Dunkley was unlucky to miss out and so was Joe Daniher, I’ve left Callum Ah Chee out too and I don’t know how.”

Whateley’s votes

3 – Lachie Neale (BRI)
2 – Joe Daniher (BRI)
1 – Will Ashcroft (BRI)

“My honourable mentions are Ah Chee, Logan Morris and Lohmann.

“But this is where we get the taste from Ashcroft that this is about to happen.

“I think Daniher had a profound impact this quarter. He kicked that goal to stop the sequence of behinds and then got the clearance in the ruck.

“Then I thought it was Neale’s quarter.”

Q3 – Syd 1.1 (7) v Bris 5.4 (34)

3QT score Syd (34) v Bris (107)

King’s votes

3 – Will Ashcroft (BRI)
2 – Lachie Neale (BRI)
1 – Brandon Starcevich (BRI)

“Ashcroft had seven disposals and the brilliant stoppage goal, he was involved in most of the offensive stuff.

“Two to Neale who again had four score involvements from eight touches, just ridiculous.

“I’ve given Brandon Starcevich one, he was keeping Tom Papley quiet who had just one touch in the quarter. Starcevich had three intercepts.”

Whateley’s votes

3 – Will Ashcroft (BRI)
2 – Joe Daniher (BRI)
1 – Lachie Neale (BRI)

“This is the quarter where Will Ashcroft really got hold of it and the signature moment with the goal.

“Daniher two who I just thought was so significant … and one to Neale who just kept building his work.”

Q4 – Syd 4.2 (26) v Bris 2.1 (13)

Full-time score Syd (60) v Bris (120)

King’s votes

3 – Luke Parker (SYD)
2 – Lachie Neale (BRI)
1 – Harris Andrews (BRI)

“Parker gets three for three goals in a quarter in a Grand Final which is fantastic, and it enhances his reputation.

“Two to Neale, he won four of their 23 contested possessions for the quarter, which shows they didn’t want to get banged up.

“Andrews had three intercepts and he totally controlled the game behind the ball.”

Whateley’s votes

3 – Luke Parker (SYD)
2 – Harris Andrews (BRI)
1 – Kai Lohmann (BRI)

“Three to Parker who kicked three goals.

“Two to Andrews which was an accumulation of the day.

“One to Lohmann who was probably owed some votes and it wasn’t just the flashy stuff either.”

King’s top five:

7 – Lachie Neale (BRI)
6 – Will Ashcroft (BRI)
3 – Harris Andrews (BRI)
3 – Hugh McCluggage (BRI)
3 – Luke Parker (SYD)

Whateley’s top five:

6 – Lachie Neale (BRI)
5 – Joe Daniher (BRI)
4 – Will Ashcroft (BRI)
3 – Hugh McCluggage (BRI)
3 – Luke Parker (SYD)

Overall top 5:

13 – Lachie Neale (BRI)
10 – Will Ashcroft (BRI)
6 – Hugh McCluggage (BRI)
6 – Luke Parker (SYD)
5 – Joe Daniher (BRI)/Harris Andrews (BRI)