The AFL off-season comes with best and fairest awards to reflect on and reward the best club players from all 18 sides.
September and October are set to see the majority of this year's club champion awards announced, with the first already unveiled for 2024.
Here is each AFL club's 2024 best and fairest winner, as well as other high vote-getters and award winners from each side, as they're announced.
The Crows have seen the 2024 Malcolm Blght Medal shared, with captain Jordan Dawson and Ben Keays tying as the club's best and fairest.
The award is Dawson's second in as many seasons for the star midfielder, while Keays earns the title for the first time after a stellar season as a midfield-forward threat under coach Matthew Nicks.
Both players polled 107 votes to split the award, which is the first time in the club's history two players have finished on equal votes atop the count.
Young midfielder Jake Soligo (93 votes) managed a podium finish, while defender Max Michalanney (89) and forward Darcy Fogarty (87) also feature in the top five.
Top Ten
=1. Jordan Dawson - 107
=1. Ben Keays - 107
3. Jake Soligo - 93
4. Max Michalanney - 89
5. Darcy Fogarty - 87
6. Rory Laird - 82
7. Josh Rachele - 79
=8. Izak Rankine - 72
=8. Matt Crouch - 72
10. Lachlan Sholl
Other Awards
19th Man/Members' MVP Award - Ben Keays
Dr. Brian Sando OAM Trophy - Bean Keays
Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award - Jake Soligo
Crows Foundation Community Award - Reilly O'Brien
Dean Bailey Award - Stephen Tahana
Players' Trademark Award - Jordan Dawson
Phil Walsh Best Team Man - Reilly O'Brien
Leading Goalkicker - Darcy Fogarty
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale has capped off an impressive 2024 campaign with his fourth Merrett-Murray medal, pipping fellow All-Australian Dayne Zorko by one vote.
Adding to his premiership medal and Gary Ayres award (best finals player), Neale continues his extraordinary run at the Lions, winning four of a possible six counts since crossing from Fremantle.
Following Zorko was tough-nut midfielder Josh Dunkley, who added a second premiership flag to his CV while Hugh McCluggage and Darcy Wilmot rounded out the top five.
Retiring Joe Daniher came in seventh alongside Harris Andrews and Jarrod Berry while ruckman Oscar McInerney and Cam Rayner were recognised for their efforts.
Top 10:
1st: Lachie Neale (73)
2nd: Dayne Zorko (72)
3rd: Josh Dunkley (71)
4th: Hugh McCluggage (64)
5th: Darcy Wilmot (61)
6th: Ryan Lester (60)
7th: Harris Andrews, Jarrod Berry and Joe Daniher (56)
10th: Oscar McInerney and Cam Rayner (54)
Other Awards:
Rookie of the Year: Logan Morris.
Marcus Ashcroft Most Professional Player Award: Hugh McCluggage.
Shaun Hart Trademark Player of the Year: Oscar McInerney.
Players' Player of the Year: Josh Dunkley.
Finals Player Award: Callum Ah Chee, Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale and Brandon Starcevich.
Youi Game Changer Award: Cam Rayner.
Life Memberships: Nicole Duncan and Harris Andrews.
The 2024 John Nicholls Medal will be decided on Sunday, October 6.
Star midfielder Nick Daicos was the runaway winner at the club's Copeland Trophy awards night, beating out ruckman Darcy Cameron and brother Josh.
Nick's superb 2024 season resulted in a record-breaking Brownlow medal tally, only to lose to Patrick Cripps, whilst also adding the AFLCA best player award to his resume alongside a second All-Australian blazer.
And now his first Copeland Trophy.
Veterans Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury continue their incredible consistency by finishing fifth and sixth respectively, followed by Patrick Lipinski, Bobby Hill, Brayden Maynard and captain Darcy Moore.
Top 10:
1st: Nick Daicos (997)
2nd: Darcy Cameron (859)
3rd: Josh Daicos (741)
4th: Jack Crisp (740)
5th: Steele Sidebottom (719)
6th: Scott Pendlebury (682)
7th: Patrick Lipinski (656)
8th: Bobby Hill and Brayden Maynard (645)
10th: Darcy Moore – 632 votes
Other awards:
Darren Millane Memorial Award (Best Clubman) – Steele Sidebottom
Gordon Coventry Award (Leading Goal Kicker) – Bobby Hill
Gavin Brown Award (Best Defensive Pressure) – Lachie Schultz
Harry Collier Trophy (Best Young Player) – Joe Richards
Jack Hellier Trophy (VFL Best Clubman) – Campbell Lane
Joseph Wren Trophy (VFL Best and Fairest) – Sam Glover
Brendan Stroud Trophy (VWFL Best and Fairest) – Patrick McKay
Reclink Best and Fairest – Dean Perawiti and Makayla Brown
VFLW Best and Fairest – Katie Day
Zach Merrett has equalled club great James Hird with his fifth Crichton medal, and well within reach of Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchinson.
The award was the recognition for Merrett's extraordinary efforts throughout 2024, consistently found to be seen carrying his side over the line.
Sam Durham's emergence as one of the competition's brightest midfielders was reflected in his third placing, being narrowly beaten by utility Nic Martin in the Bombers count.
Defenders Andrew McGrath (157 votes), Ben McKay (151) and Mason Redman (108) were notable inclusions in the top 10 while forwards Kyle Langford (131) and Jake Stringer (104) took their place as the club's better performers throughout 2024.
Top 10:
1st: Zach Merrett (212)
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)
Other awards:
McCracken Medal – Zach Merrett
Most Improved Player – Sam Durham
Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player – Jye Caldwell
Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman – Andrew McGrath
Matthew Lloyd Leading Goal Kicker Award – Kyle Langford
Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star – Nate Caddy
John Kilby Trainers and Staff Award – Dyson Heppell
Dockers star Caleb Serong has claimed his second Doig Medal in as many years to cap off a sensational season in purple with Fremantle.
The Victorian won the club's best and fairest to follow up his maiden gong from last year, joining Peter Bell, Matthew Pavlich and Nat Fyfe as the only Fremantle players to win back-to-back honours - Fyfe being the most recent, having done so a decade ago.
Serong edged out teammate Andrew Brayshaw by nine votes to win the award, with Brayshaw making it successive second-place finishes following his maiden best and fairest win in 2022.
Fellow midfielder Hayden Young rounds out the podium, while breakout forward Josh Treacy, reliable attacker Sam Switkowki and defender Jordan Clark also feature in the top five for votes.
Top 10:
Caleb Serong – 240
Andrew Brayshaw – 231
Hayden Young – 200
Josh Treacy – 185
Sam Switkowski – 168
Jordan Clark – 168
Luke Ryan – 154
Alex Pearce – 144
Luke Jackson – 130
Brandon Walker - 118
Other Awards:
Beacon Award - Josh Draper
Players' Player Award - Alex Pearce
Best Clubman - Josh Corbett
Life Membership - Luke Ryan, Gabby O'Sullivan, Kellie Black and Graeme Parker
Max Holmes has claimed his first Carji Greeves medal, proving to be a runaway victor from Zach Guthrie and Jeremy Cameron.
Holmes played every game in 2024 and polled a staggering 164 votes, polling in 22 matches including six best on grounds by the coaches.
Guthrie also shot up the ranks after finishing fourth in last year's count to place second, narrowly beating Cameron and Tom Stewart.
Small forwards Tyson Stengle, Gryan Miers, Ollie Dempsey and Brad Close were all recognised for their efforts while Ollie Henry and Patrick Dangerfield were placed among the top vote getters.
Top 10:
1st: Max Holmes (164)
2nd: Zach Guthrie (120)
3rd: Jeremy Cameron (118)
4th: Tom Stewart (117)
5th: Tyson Stengle (107)
6th: Gryan Miers (95)
7th: Ollie Dempsey (73)
8th: Ollie Henry (69)
9th: Brad Close (66)
10th: Patrick Dangerfield (65)
Other awards:
Tom Harley Best Club Person: Tom Hawkins and Tom Atkins
Best Young Player: Ollie Dempsey
Carter Family Community Champion award: Tom Hawkins
Little Vic award (VFL team's best first-year player): Patrick Huges
Suns defender Sam Collins has taken out his second Gold Coast Club Champion gong to cap off a stellar 2024 season.
Collins, who was named in the All-Australian squad for the first time this year, polled 68 votes to take out the club honour ahead of fellow defender Bodhi Uwland, who had 56 votes.
Breakout utility Sam Flanders (55) rounded out the podium, with Matt Rowell (54), Noah Anderson (50) and Mac Andrew (49) trailing.
The award for Collins sees him add to his 2020 Club Champion title, with this year proving to be a career-best for the senior Suns backman.
Top 10:
1st: Sam Collins (68 votes)
2nd: Bodhi Uwland (56)
3rd: Sam Flanders (55)
4th: Matt Rowell (54)
5th: Noah Anderson (50)
6th: Mac Andrew (49)
7th: Wil Powell (43)
7th: Ben Long (39)
9th: Touk Miller (36)
10th: Jarrod Witts (35)
Other Awards:
David Swallow Award: Sam Collins
People First Bank Emerging Player: Mac Andrew
HOSTPLUS Most Professional: Bodhi Uwland
Jarrod Harbrow Community Award: Tom Berry
SIXT Leading Goalkicker: Ben King
StreetSmarts Male Academy Player of the Year: Leo Lombard
Key forward and 2024 Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan capped off a career-best season with a maiden best and fairest at the Giants' awards night.
Hogan slotted a career-high 77 goals and was trailing teammates Lachie Whitfield and Tom Green for the entirety of the night until his four-goal semi-final performance against Brisbane dragged him over the line.
The former Demon narrowly pipped Whitfield and Green, who finished equal second on the night.
Versatile defender Connor Idun and livewire forward Brent Daniels rounded out the top five.
Outgoing utility Harry Perryman was rewarded with 8th place for his year while captain Toby Greene continued his impressive consistency with another top 10 placing.
The Kevin Sheedy Medal is voted on by each line coach rating their respective players from a pre-determined performance scale, submitting their rating to senior coach Adam Kingsley, who then allocates up to six votes per player.
Top 5:
1st: Jesse Hogan (67)
2nd: Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield (66)
4th: Connor Idun (56)
5th: Brent Daniels (50)
6th: Jack Buckley (49)
7th: Toby Greene (45)
8th: Toby Bedford and Harry Perryman (41)
10th: Harry Himmelberg (40)
Other awards:
Rising Star - Darcy Jones
Coaches Award - Toby Bedford
Leading Goalkicker - Jesse Hogan
Members' Choice Award - Jesse Hogan
VFL Player of the Year - Conor Stone
Community Award - Callan Ward
Academy Player of the Year - Logan Smith
Hawthorn young gun Jai Newcombe has claimed his maiden Hawks best and fairest to cap off a career-best campaign in the brown and gold.
Newcombe took out the Peter Crimmins Medal after averaging 24.8 disposals, 5.9 clearances and 4.4 tackles per game in 2024 while holding a key role in the club's finals series.
The 2021 Mid-Season Draft addition has become an integral piece in Sam Mitchell's engine room, rapidly developing into an elite midfielder for the Hawks.
Newcombe's club gong came as the hard-nosed onballer polled 155 votes - nine more than runner-up Dylan Moore.
Jarman Impey (119 votes), James Worpel (116) and Blake Hardwick (114) round out the top five.
Top Ten
Other Awards
Best Finals Player - Jai Newcombe
Lethal Award (Players' Player) - Dylan Moore
Most Promising - Nick Watson
Most Improved - Jack Scrimshaw
Most Courageous - James Sicily
Best Clubman Sam Frost
Hawks Community Leadership Award - Changkuoth Jiath
Melbourne heart-and-soul player Jack Viney was rewarded with his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott trophy after narrowly beating captain Max Gawn in a thrilling vote count.
Viney's year was capped off with the club's best and fairest, leading from the front through the midfield that, at times, was without Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.
Departing forward Alex Neal-Bullen completed the podium finishes while youngster Trent Rivers and Judd McVee were recognised for their efforts.
Key defenders Steven May and Tom McDonald also featured in the top 10 after relatively consistent seasons.
Top 10:
1st: Jack Viney (407)
2nd: Max Gawn (405)
3rd: Alex Neal-Bullen (402)
4th: Kysaiah Pickett (369)
5th: Ed Langdon (352)
6th: Trent Rivers (350)
7th: Judd McVee (347)
8th: Kade Chandler (337)
9th: Steven May (316)
10th: Tom McDonald (301)
Other awards:
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy – (Best VFL Player) - Matthew Jefferson
James McDonald Trophy – TRUE player - Ed Langdon
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy – Club Ambassador Award - Ben Brown
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy – Best Young Player - Caleb Windsor
Ron Barassi Jnr Memorial Trophy – Leadership Award - Jake Melksham
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy – Coaches Award - Trent Rivers
North Melbourne midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke has claimed his first club best & fairest, narrowly edging out Tristan Xerri by 13 votes, following stellar campaigns from both.
Picked by most to be the clear favourite to take out the Syd Barker Medal, young gun Harry Sheezel surprisingly fell to third, though with a large gap separating the podium pollers.
Fellow young shinboners Paul Curtis and Tom Powell were recognised for their 2024 efforts, breaking out into critical Kangas with some x-factor ability and midfield strength, respectively.
The major breakout story came from tall utility Charlie Comben, who polled an impressive 126 votes for a seventh-place finish, intercepting down back and clunking marks up forward in his career-best season.
Young Jackson Archer would be thrilled with a top-10 finish, taking his time to become a mainstay down back but emerging in the back half of the season.
Top 10:
1st: Luke Davies-Uniacke (242 votes)
2nd: Tristan Xerri (229)
3rd: Harry Sheezel (212)
4th: Paul Curtis (140)
5th: Tom Powell (139)
6th: Cameron Zurhaar (129)
7th: Charlie Comben (126)
7th: Aidan Corr (125)
9th: Luke McDonald (124)
10th: Jackson Archer (115)
Other Awards:
Best Clubman: Harry Sheezel
Excellence Award: Luke Davies-Uniacke
Shinboner of the Year Award: Tristan Xerri
Peter Scanlon Community Award: Hugh Greenwood
Best Young Player: Colby McKercher
Tough midfielder Zak Butters has gone back-to-back in the club's best and fairest count, beating fellow rover Jason Horne-Francis and Aliir Aliir.
It's been a successful individual season for Butters, with the 24-year-old receiving his second All-Australian blazer and finishing third in the AFL's prestigious Brownlow Medal count.
Captain Connor Rozee polled well on the night while Willem Drew and Ollie Wines also featured prominently.
2024 recruit Brandon Zerk-Thatcher was a new name in the top 10 as Miles Bergman's impressive rise continues.
Top 10:
1st: Zak Butters (159)
2nd: Jason Horne-Francis (152)
3rd: Aliir Aliir (129)
4th: Connor Rozee (118)
5th: Dan Houston (117)
6th: Willem Drew (115)
7th: Darcy Bryne-Jones and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (112)
9th: Miles Bergman (103)
10th: Ollie Wines (93)
Other awards:
Fos Williams Medal (best team man) - Willem Drew
Gavin Wanganeen Award (best player under 21) - Jason Horne-Francis
Coaches' Award (most improved) - Jase Burgoyne
John McCarthy Award (for community service) - Dante Visentini
Richmond defender Daniel Rioli has won his maiden Jack Dyer Medal following a stellar season in the yellow and black.
The Tigers flanker, who might've played his last game for the club, polled 40 votes to edge out fellow backman Nick Vlastuin (38 votes) and captain Toby Nankervis (36) for the award.
Rioli was the only Richmond player to feature in all 23 matches during the home and away season, with the rebounding defender averaging 23.3 disposals, 3.87 rebound 50s and 3.96 marks per game in 2024.
Fellow wantaway Tigers Shai Bolton and Liam Baker finished equal fifth with 30 votes each.
Top 10
1st – Daniel Rioli, 40
2nd – Nick Vlastuin, 38
3rd – Toby Nankervis, 36
4th – Nathan Broad, 33
Eq. 5th – Shai Bolton, 30
Eq. 5th – Liam Baker, 30
7th – Rhyan Mansell, 29
8th – Jayden Short, 26
9th – Ben Miller, 25
10th – Dion Prestia, 24
Other Awards:
Francis Bourke Award - Nathan Broad
David Manide Community Award - Kaleb Smith
Michael Roach Leading Goalkicker Award - Shai Bolton
Bill Cosgrove/Harry Jenkins Best First Year player - Seth Campbell
Guinane Medal (Best VFL Player) - Lachie Wilson, Tom Brindley and Sam Davidson
VWFL Seniors Best and Fairest Award - Teisha Shadwell
VWFL Development Best and Fairest - Bryant Parsons
St Kilda defender Callum Wilkie has claimed his first Trevor Barker Award, topping the votes with 206 after finishing in the top three for the past two seasons.
Wilkie beat out two-time winner Jack Sinclair (174 votes) and Josh Battle (161 votes), adding to a remarkable year that saw him earn All-Australian honours and extend his streak of consecutive games.
Young stars Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens, and Darcy Wilson were also recognised, while Rowan Marshall picked up the fan-voted Red Rooster Sainter of the Year Award.
Stalwarts Jack Sinclair and Tim Membrey were honoured with Life Membership, while former club doctor Dr. Rohan White and ex-board member Paul Kirk also received the accolade for their long-standing contributions to the club.
Top 10
1st: Callum Wilkie (206)
2nd: Jack Sinclair (174)
3rd: Josh Battle (161)
4th: Rowan Marshall (143)
5th: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (133)
6th: Jack Steele (122)
7th: Jack Higgins (108)
8th: Darcy Wilson (99)
9th: Mitch Owens (84)
10th: Bradley Hill (72)
Other Awards:
Best Clubman: Mason Wood
Best Emerging Player: Darcy Wilson
Sainter of the Year: Rowan Marshall
Team Trademark Award: Callum Wilkie
Isaac Heeney's 2024 campaign was only going one way, and after missing out on the premiership, he'll take solace in being the club champion.
In what most would deem a three-horse race, Heeney stormed clear of Errol Gulden and Chad Warner.
Recruits Brodie Grundy and James Jordon were recognised for their efforts throughout the year while All-Australian Nick Blakey made the top five.
Livewire forward Tom Papley was around the mark as half backs Oliver Florent and Jake Lloyd got their just deserves.
Top 10:
1st: Isaac Heeney (956)
2nd: Errol Gulden (888)
3rd: Chad Warner (813)
4th: Brodie Grundy (750)
5th: Nick Blakey (648)
6th: James Rowbottom (639)
7th: Oliver Florent (628)
8th: James Jordon (622)
9th: Jake Lloyd (605)
10th: Tom Papley (576)
Other awards:
Paul Kelly Player's Player - Isaac Heeney
Paul Roos Best Player in the finals - Isaac Heeney
Barry Round Best Clubman Award - James Rowbottom
Dennis Carroll Award for Most Improved - Justin McInerney
Rising Star Award - Matthew Roberts
VFL Player of the Year - Caleb Mitchell
VFL Squad Player of the Year - Ben Edwards
Decorated Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern has added a new piece of silverware to his cabinet after securing the club's best and fairest award.
McGovern has five All-Australian blazers and a premiership medallion to his name but was recognised for his 2024 efforts with the John Worsfold medal.
Midfielder Elliot Yeo wasn't far behind the intercept defender, whilst the rise of key forward Jake Waterman completed the top three after his stellar campaign.
Young lockdown defender Brady Hough featured in the top five of West Coast's count.
Harley Reid's name was no surprise as he took his place in the club's top 10 following his maiden season in the AFL.
Top 10:
1st: Jeremy McGovern (184)
2nd: Elliot Yeo (177)
3rd: Jake Waterman (155)
4th: Liam Duggan (141)
5th: Brady Hough (136)
6th: Jamie Cripps (127)
7th: Tom Barrass (122)
8th: Tom Cole (117)
9th: Harley Reid (114)
10th: Tim Kelly (112)
Other Awards:
Chris Mainwaring medal: Liam Duggan
Best Emerging Talent: Harley Reid
Community Award: Jeremy McGovern
The legend of Marcus Bontempelli continues to reach new heights as the star Bulldogs midfielder claimed his sixth Charles Sutton medal at the club's awards night.
Already rivalling the best to pull on the red, white and blue guernsey, the 28-year-old inched closer to Scott West's record of seven best and fairests, beating out Adam Treloar and Bailey Dale, who finished equal second.
Bontempelli's sixth medal stands beside his All-Australian selection and captaincy in the side as well, as the Leigh Matthews trophy for players MVP and best captain voted by his peers in a stellar 2024 campaign.
Ed Richards' move into the midfield paid off with a top-five finish, while Rory Lobb's switch down back resulted in an impressive season under coach Luke Beveridge.
Top 10:
1st: Marcus Bontempelli (314)
2nd: Adam Treloar and Bailey Dale (245)
4th: Liam Jones (203)
5th: Ed Richards (188)
6th: Tom Liberatore (170)
7th: Lachlan Bramble (168)
8th: Rory Lobb (163)
9th: Bailey Williams (161)
10th: Taylor Duryea (152)
Other awards:
Chris Grant Best First Year Player: Joel Freijah
Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player: Lachlan Bramble
Brad Johnson Best Team Player: Rory Lobb
John Van Groningen Coolum Ninderry Award: Marcus Bontempelli
Scott West Most Courageous Award: Liam Jones
Locker Group Award: Ed Richards
Footscray VFL Best and Fairest: Cooper Craig-Peters
John Schultz Community Award: Tom Liberatore
VU Education Award: Jack Macrae