Zach Merrett has been crowned with a third Crichton Medal in as many seasons, marking a sixth in total for his career.
Winning in front of a packed Centrepiece crowd on Thursday night, Merrett was again the standout performer from the Bombers’ season on 217 votes, running away from brilliant teenager Archie Roberts (186 votes) in second place and midfield bull Sam Durham (175 votes) in third.
With the result, the 29-year-old Merrett now sits an outright third all-time in Club history for Crichton victories, with only Australian Football Hall of Fame Legends Bill Hutchison and Dick Reynolds (seven apiece) ahead of him.
Merrett averaged nearly 28 touches per outing across 22 games this year en route to the award, also claiming the Club’s McCracken Medal to wrap a busy night on the silverware front.
In the case of Roberts, who entered 2025 with just four games to his name as a second-year player, his rise this season has been meteoric – highlighted by his triple honour as the Bombers’ Most Improved Player and Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star.
Earning a Telstra Rising Star nomination for his breakthrough effort against the Dees in Gather Round, the half-back emerged as a defensive staple and cemented himself as a key component of the Bombers’ future.
The slick, competitive youngster led all nominees for the Telstra Rising Star with 24 disposals per game and was one of just four Dons to feature in every match during a year ravaged by injuries to several stars.
Durham has now gone back-to-back with third place finishes in the Crichton, continuing a sensational run for the former mid-season draftee, who was also the recipient of the Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player award.
Since joining the Club in 2021 with that pick No.9, the 24-year-old has developed from a smooth moving winger into a true midfield brute.
His aggression on the inside and ability to break away from stoppage with his athleticism on the outside has made him a dual threat for the Dons, where he averaged 22 touches and five clearances per game in 2025.
Durham’s explosive first half in the Anzac Day clash against Collingwood was a major highlight, slotting memorable back-to-back goals, while his Mark of the Year contender against the Swans in round nine also showcased his potential as a high-flyer.
Peter Wright’s 28-goal season earned him Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker honours, with a top 10 Crichton finish also a nice reward in his fifth year as a Bomber.
Vice-Captain Andrew McGrath was honoured with both Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman and John Kilby Staff and Trainers honours for a third time, again demonstrating his standing as a person and leader within the four walls of the Club.
McGrath also finished fourth in the count after another consistent season down back, followed by star utility Nic Martin despite a shortened campaign through injury.
See the full list of award winners and the Crichton Medal top 10 leaderboard below.
2025 Crichton Medal award winners
Crichton Medal – Zach Merrett
Runner Up – Archie Roberts
Third place – Sam Durham
Most Improved Player – Archie Roberts
Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star - Archie Roberts
Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player – Sam Durham
Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker – Peter Wright
Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman – Andrew McGrath
John Kilby Staff and Trainers Award – Andrew McGrath
McCracken Medal – Zach Merrett
Life Member Inductions - Mason Redman, Jayden Laverde, Carolynn Larsen, Mark Lanham, Andrea Dixon
2025 Crichton Medal leaderboard
- Zach Merrett – 217 votes
- Archie Roberts – 186 votes
- Sam Durham – 175 votes
- Andrew McGrath – 171 votes
- Nic Martin – 116 votes
- Mason Redman – 114 votes
- Xavier Duursma – 111 votes
- Jye Caldwell – 101 votes
- Jaxon Prior – 95 votes
- Peter Wright – 91 votes
