Zach Merrett has claimed a record-equalling seventh Crichton Medal in front of a huge Essendon crowd at CENTREPIECE on Thursday night. 

The 30-year-old now sits atop the mountain alongside Bomber legends Bill Hutchison and Dick Reynolds as the only players with seven best-and-fairest honours in the 154-year history of the Club. 

On 117 votes, Merrett won out over emerging leader and midfield bull Sam Durham (106 votes), with last year’s runner up Archie Roberts finishing third to continue an impressive start to his young career.

The win is a fourth in succession for Merrett, who has now won five of the last seven Crichtons to firmly etch himself into the Essendon history books.

13 seasons into an acclaimed career, the 274-gamer showed no signs of slowing down in 2026 – he featured in all 23 matches, averaging 27 disposals and nearly five tackles per game in yet another consistent campaign. 

Often fronting up as the most experienced player in one of the competition’s youngest sides, the former skipper was brilliant even when deployed behind the ball as a relieving distributor from half back compared to his usual role in the heart of midfield. 

He saved some of his best for a vintage team-lifting 34-disposal outing on the Gold Coast and slotted one of the best goals of his career in an emphatic Gather Round victory over the Demons. 

Merrett also won the McCracken Medal for a fourth straight time, voted by his teammates as the player who best embodied the Club values on-field during the season. 

Durham charged his way into winning estimations through the middle of the season, picking up 30 disposals for the first time in his career against the Blues and bashing-and-crashing his way to a stellar 25-disposal, two-goal game against the Roos in round 16. 

Despite missing the final fortnight to injury in a tight vote count, holding the lead after 20 rounds was fair reflection of Durham’s most exciting season to date, looking his most dangerous yet when bullocking out of stoppage.

The brave midfielder also earned the Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player Award to add to a growing list of accolades in his tenure as a Don, which will lead into 2032 after his massive pre-season contract extension.

Roberts caught fire early in the year with multiple 42-possession games behind the footy, adding to the Gather Round delight with a banger from outside 50 at a critical stage of the Bombers’ surge. 

The 20-year-old worked his way back into form after an untimely mid-season shoulder injury, finishing the year strongly with 27 and 28-disposal games in the last two rounds.

Youngsters featured prominently in the votes throughout the night, with Sullivan Robey, Dyson Sharp and Jacob Farrow all finishing amongst the top 10 to highlight the major impact in their first seasons.

Sharp’s season in particular was outstanding and saw him take home Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star honours as a result.

Leading Goalkicker Nate Caddy finished fourth after his best season to date, ably assisted all year by experienced big man Peter Wright who rounded out the top five.  

Zach Reid finished sixth in a promising result after playing in every game for the first time in his six-year career.

It was a proud night for reliable defender Jaxon Prior, who not only received his plaudits as the Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman and finished in the top 10 on the night, but was also recognised as the Club’s Most Improved Player for a solid second year in Essendon colours.

Prior averaged 16 disposals and five marks per game off half back this year and has only missed one game over his two seasons with the Bombers. 

His Captain Andy McGrath was voted as the John Kilby Staff and Trainers Award winner for the fourth time. 

See all the award winners from the night and the top 10 below. 

Crichton Medal – Zach Merrett
Runner Up – Sam Durham
Third Place – Archie Roberts
Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker – Nate Caddy
Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman – Jaxon Prior
Most Improved Player – Jaxon Prior
Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player – Sam Durham
Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star – Dyson Sharp
John Kilby Staff and Trainers Award – Andrew McGrath
McCracken Medal - Zach Merrett 

Crichton Medal top 10 leaderboard: