Zach Merrett has continued to elevate himself in Essendon’s history books after claiming his fourth Crichton Medal.
The first-year Captain finished on 211 votes, edging out runner-up Kyle Langford (191 votes) and third-place Mason Redman (163 votes), with the trio celebrated at Centrepiece on Thursday night.
Merrett joins Essendon greats in Tim Watson and Simon Madden with four Crichton Medal victories and sits just behind James Hird (five), Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison (seven). The award caps off a fantastic year for the 28-year-old, who also claimed his third All Australian blazer.
Merrett enjoyed a terrific first season as club Captain, averaging 29 disposals and five tackles per game across his 22 outings for the year as a prime mover in the Bombers’ engine room.
Renowned for his relentless work ethic, the skipper recorded 30 or more disposals on nine occasions this season, finishing 10th in the league for average disposals per game.
In a season littered with starring performances, Merrett saved his best for the biggest occasions, winning the Yiooken Award for best afield after a 39-disposal showing in the one-point Dreamtime at the ‘G victory over the Tigers.
A second-place finish reflected Langford’s breakout season up forward, with the 26-year-old booting 51 goals to finish as the club’s leading goal kicker and crack the All-Australian squad.
Langford rebounded from two injury-hit seasons to establish a new role as a forward in 2023, collecting 20 goal assists in a campaign that also saw him named the club’s Most Improved Player on the night.
With an average of nearly three marks inside-50 per game, Langford finished equal-sixth best in the competition, proving himself a dangerous option in attack after previously spending time further up the ground.
Capping off their impressive seasons, Langford and Merrett also shared the McCracken Medal as the players who best embodied the club’s values in 2023, voted on by the playing group after every match.
Redman went one better from his fourth-place finish in 2022, piecing together another outstanding season to finish third.
The 26-year-old defender was a consistent performer throughout the season, appearing in every game with an average of 22 disposals and five rebound-50’s per game to also earn a spot in the All-Australian squad.
Redman was also named by his teammates as the Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player, frequently putting his body on the line and going the extra mile to support his fellow defenders.
A fan favourite among the red and black faithful, Redman hit the scoreboard seven times, regularly bringing out his signature ‘red dog’ goal celebration, showing his willingness to join the attack alongside his usual defensive tenacity.
Defender Andrew McGrath was rewarded for his commitment to the club in a consistent season, finishing fourth in the count and taking home both the Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman Award and the John Kilby Staff and Trainers Award.
Fellow defender and 2020 Crichton Medallist Jordan Ridley finished fifth despite missing six games through injury, proving his importance in the Dons’ back six.
First-year forward Alwyn Davey Jnr was named the Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star after a promising debut season with 10 games at AFL level.
The club’s VWFL teams were also recognised on the night, with the Louis Rowe Medal for the Senior Best and Fairest awarded to Scott van Gemert after a brilliant campaign.
Community side Captain Ben Milton was also named the Clifford Denise Wise Medallist as their Best and Fairest for 2023.
2023 Crichton Medal top 10
1. Zach Merrett (211)
2. Kyle Langford (191)
3. Mason Redman (163)
4. Andrew McGrath (160)
5. Jordan Ridley (150)
6. Nic Martin (146)
7. Jye Caldwell (142)
8. Darcy Parish (137)
9. Sam Durham (120)
10. Dyson Heppell (114)
2023 award winners
Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman – Andrew McGrath
Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player – Mason Redman
Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker – Kyle Langford
John Kilby Staff and Trainers Award – Andrew McGrath
Most-improved Player – Kyle Langford
Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star – Alwyn Davey Jnr
McCracken Medal – Zach Merrett and Kyle Langford
Louis Rowe Seniors Medal – Scott van Gemert
Clifford Denise Wise Community Medal – Ben Milton
