Merrett joins Essendon greats by landing fifth B&F

Essendon captain Zach Merrett has won his fifth Crichton Medal.

The prolific midfielder polled 212 votes to win the 2024 best and fairest ahead of Nic Martin on 197 with Sam Durham third on 184.

Andrew McGrath (157) and Jye Caldwell (154) made up the top five.

Merrett’s victory draws him level with James Hird on five Crichtons and he now sits behind only Bill Hutchison and Dick Reynolds on seven each.

That’s two in a row and three in the last four seasons for the 28-year-old.

Other award winners on the night included Durham who was named the Most Improved Player, Caldwell who won the Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player award, McGrath who was named the Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman and Nate Caddy who won the Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star award.

Merrett was also awarded the McCracken Medal “as the player who best embodied the club’s values”.

Essendon’s Crichton Medal Top 10 - 2024

1st - Zach Merrett (212 votes)
2nd - Nic Martin (197)
3rd - Sam Durham (184)
4th - Andrew McGrath (157)
5th - Jye Caldwell (154)
6th - Ben McKay (151)
7th - Kyle Langford (131)
8th - Mason Redman (108)
9th - Jake Stringer (104)
10th - Harrison Jones (80)