Zach Merrett headlined the Bombers' vote-getters on Brownlow night, finishing 10th overall after an impressive run home. Having only secured three votes from the opening 15 games, Merrett came home like a freight train, polling 14 of a possible 15 votes in a five-game stretch between rounds 16-20, to take his overall tally to 17 on the night. 

Peter Wright was the Bombers' second highest vote-getter with eight votes. After finishing equal-fifth last year, Darcy Parish only polled six for the season. First-year player Nic Martin was rewarded for a stunning debut, taking home two votes in round one.

Total votes: 47

Sam Draper takes out the 2022 rebel Goal of the Year.

Draper utilised every bit of his incredible athleticism in the lead-up to the goal, which had Bombers fans out of their seats during the final term of their thumping 48-point win over the Suns in Round 18.

Draper snatched the ball out of the ruck contest against Mabior Chol, glided past would-be tackler David Swallow before playing a one-two with teammate Matt Guelfi, which left him with one man to beat in Charlie Ballard.

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Rd 18 | Draper's ridiculous GOTY contender

Sam Draper scores an unbelievable goal bursting out of the ruck and finishing in mesmerising style.

Despite being closed down and quickly, Draper wasn’t fazed, taking the ball in his stride, fending off the Gold Coast defender and snapping home an audacious banana - while still on the run.

Draper kicked the rebel Goal of the Year in Round 18 of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

Draper is the second Essendon player to officially win the award after Bombers legend Matthew Lloyd claimed the Phil Manassa Medal in 2007.

The 23-year-old beats out 2020 winner Collingwood’s Josh Daicos’ incredible solo goal against Draper and his team-mates in Round 19, and Richmond’s Shai Bolton’s remarkable drop punt from deep in the pocket against the Western Bulldogs.

Draper will receive the Phil Manassa Medal and $10,000 thanks to rebel during tonight’s Charles Brownlow Medal Count.

Archie Stockdale takes out the 2022 NAB Auskicker of the Year.

Archie Stockdale, from Natimuk NAB AFL Auskick Centre in Victoria has been named the 2022 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year.

Weekly nominees were announced during the Seven Network’s broadcast, with Archie being announced during the Round Ten 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season match between Carlton and Sydney Swans.

Archie is the thirteenth winner of the annual NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year competition, which sees NAB provide 23 lucky Auskicker of the Year nominees from across the country with an unforgettable AFL experience.

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Archie's day with Dons

NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year nominee Archie Stockdale has a day with his heroes that he'll never forget.

As part of his prize as the 2022 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year, Archie will receive $5,000 from NAB plus Geelong Football Club captain, Joel Selwood, and AFLW star Katie Brennan, as his personal footy mentors in 2023.

The NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year competition demonstrates NAB’s commitment to supporting footballers from grassroots to the elite – celebrating the passion and dedication of thousands of children who attend NAB AFL Auskick centres across Australia.

NAB AFL Auskick mentors Joel Selwood and Katie Brennan said that they were excited to help Archie develop his skills in 2023.

“A huge congratulations to Archie as the 2022 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year. I cannot wait to meet you and help develop your skills over the next 12 months,” Selwood said.

“I love being involved with the NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year competition. I'm excited to help mentor Archie and watch his love of footy grow,” Brennan said.

2022 marks NAB’s 20th year of partnership with the AFL. NAB have seen the game grow from strength to strength and supported footy at all levels from NAB AFL Auskick through to the big time.