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B&F: Minor shock at Lions, Swans back-to-back, Giants first-timer
SEN • October 3rd, 2025 3:47 pm
There was a flurry of best and fairest activity across the AFL on Thursday night.
Back-to-back premiers Brisbane Lions have a new Merrett-Murray Medal winner with inspirational midfielder Josh Dunkley saluting.
Many expected Hugh McCluggage to win but Dunkley polled 79 votes to edge the All-Australian midfielder by four votes.
Dunkley is now a two-time best and fairest winner after claiming the Charles Sutton Medal at the Western Bulldogs in 2022. He is also a three-time premiership player.
Dual Norm Smith Medallist Will Ashcroft (71) finished third while co-captain Harris Andrews (70) ran fourth with Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot (both 64) equal in fifth.
Merrett-Murray Medal – 2025
1 - Josh Dunkley (79 votes)2 - Hugh McCluggage (75)3 - Will Ashcroft (71)4 - Harris Andrews (70)Eq.5 - Jaspa Fletcher & Darcy Wilmot (64)7 - Dayne Zorko (61)8 - Zac Bailey (61)9 - Cam Rayner (60)10 - Jarrod Berry (54)
Isaac Heeney made it back-to-back Bob Skilton Medals as Sydney’s best and fairest.
The three-time All-Australian polled 253 votes to beat star ruckman Brodie Grundy (238) in second.
In somewhat of a surprise James Jordon (188) finished third while Chad Warner (186) and Tom McCartin (169) made up the top five.
Bob Skilton Medal - 2025
1 - Isaac Heeney (253 votes)2 - Brodie Grundy (238)3 - James Jordon (188)4 - Chad Warner (186)5 - Tom McCartin (169)6 - Sam Wicks (165)7 - Nick Blakey (162)8 - James Rowbottom (151)9 - Justin McInerney (146)10 - Jake Lloyd (138)
Other awards:
Paul Kelly Players' Player: Brodie GrundyBarry Round Best Clubman Award: Lewis MelicanDennis Carroll Award for Most Improved: Sam WicksRising Star Award: Riley Bice
Tom Green finally broke through for his maiden GWS best and fairest.
The star midfielder finished third in 2022 and runner-up in both 2023 and 2024, but now has a Kevin Sheedy Medal to his name.
Green, 23, polled 91 votes to beat fellow midfield gun Finn Callaghan (83) with underrated defender Connor Idun (82) in third.
Rebounding defender Lachie Ash (76) was fourth ahead of captain Toby Greene (69) in fifth.
Kevin Sheedy Medal - 2025
1 - Tom Green (91 votes)2 - Finn Callaghan (83)3 - Connor Idun (82)4 - Lachie Ash (76)5 - Toby Greene (69)6 - Lachie Whitfield (68)7 - Sam Taylor (60)8 - Harry Himmelberg (50)9 - Jack Buckley (49)10 - Aaron Cadman (48)
Other awards:
Coaches Award: Connor IdunRising Star Award: Aaron CadmanMembers’ Choice Award: Finn CallaghanGIANTS Community Award: Toby Bedford
