Brisbane Lions Co-Vice Captain Josh Dunkley has claimed the 2025 Merrett-Murray Medal to put the finishing touch on a special season.
Dunkley was awarded the medal as the Lions Best and Fairest at the Club Champion Dinner at The Star on Thursday night.
The triple-premiership midfielder polled 79 votes ahead of runner-up and fellow Co-Vice Captain Hugh McCluggage with 75 votes.
Coach Chris Fagan said Dunkley’s being voted the Merrett-Murray Medal was ‘a brilliant reward and tribute to the way he plays his football’.
“In my mind he is without a doubt the best two-way midfielder in the AFL,” the two-time premiership coach said.
“Most midfielders are good at winning the ball, but Josh combines this ability with a hunger to attack the defensive side of the game that I have rarely seen.
“He constantly leads the team in tackles and defensive acts and has everyone’s respect and admiration for this.
“Every player and coach at the Club would totally agree that Dunks thoroughly deserves to win this award.”
The Merrett-Murray Medal was yet another deserving award Dunkley had taken home in 2025.
Dunkley earlier this year won the inaugural Robert Walls Medal for the best player against Carlton, as well as the AFLPA Most Courageous.
Fagan continued to speak glowingly on his Co-Vice Captain for the influence he has on the Club and everyone there.
“He is also a fantastic leader both on and off the field,” he said.
“You see this attribute clearly when he plays but when you work with him every day you get to see the off-field stuff as well.
“He cares deeply about team performance and culture, he’s always looking for ways to help others and if he thinks something needs attention, he will always let the coaches know.
“It is no mistake we’ve played in three Grand Finals since he arrived at the Club.”
Merrett-Murray Medal – Top 10
Josh Dunkley (79)
Hugh McCluggage (75)
Will Ashcroft (71)
Harris Andrews (70)
Jaspa Fletcher (64)
Darcy Wilmot (64)
Dayne Zorko (61)
Zac Bailey (61)
Cam Rayner (60)
Jarrod Berry (54)
