Brisbane champion Neale edges veteran to win fourth Lions best and fairest

Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale has won the 2024 Merrett-Murray Medal as the club’s best and fairest player in a premiership year.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist edged veteran Dayne Zorko, who was chasing his sixth B&F, to win a fourth Merrett-Murray in just his sixth season as a Lion.

Neale polled 73 votes to beat Zorko (72) by just one solitary vote. He is now a six-time best and fairest after winning two at Fremantle.

Josh Dunkley was a further vote back in third on 71 ahead of fellow midfielder Hugh McCluggage on 64 and impressive young defender Darcy Wilmot fifth on 61.

Other award winners on the night included McCluggage who won the Marcus Ashcroft Most Professional Player Award, Oscar McInerney who was named the Shaun Hart Trademark Player of the Year, Dunkley who was voted the Players’ Player of the Year, Logan Morris who was named Rookie of the Year and Neale, Callum Ah Chee, Will Ashcroft and Brandon Starcevich who shared the Finals Player Award.

The club honoured Joe Daniher who announced his retirement at the age of 30.

Brisbane’s Merrett-Murray Medal Top 10 - 2024

1st - Lachie Neale (73 votes)
2nd - Dayne Zorko (72)
3rd - Josh Dunkley (71)
4th - Hugh McCluggage (64)
5th - Darcy Wilmot (61)
6th - Ryan Lester (60)
Eq.7th - Harris Andrews (56)
Eq.7th - Jarrod Berry (56)
Eq.7th - Joe Daniher (56)
Eq.10th - Oscar McInerney (54)
Eq.10th - Cam Rayner (54)