Ageless Lions energizer Dayne Zorko has topped the Queensland vote in the Brownlow Medal for the fourth time and become just the fifth Queenslander to top 100 career votes.
And, in a sign of what is to come, 21-year-old Will Ashcroft has equalled the career votes tally of his 318-game father and triple premiership player Marcus.
Jaspa Fletcher and Jack Payne have polled in the Brownlow for the first time as Lions co-captain Harris Andrews received the 2025 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
Zorko polled 14 votes to head the Queensland count from Ashcroft (11), Adelaide’s Ben Keays (9), Andrews (5),Fletcher (2), Payne (1), Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol (1) and Port Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir (1).
Now with 111 career votes, the 36-year-old ex-captain joins Nick Riewoldt (153), Michael Voss (150), Jason Dunstall (129) and Jason Akermanis (107) as Queenslanders in the AFL’s elite 100-vote club.
Set to play in his third grand final against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday, Zorko became just the 116th player in history to reach 100 votes.
Ashcroft’s 11 votes followed his 10 votes in 2023 and sees him draw level with his father.
Keays nine votes takes his career total to 38. He is ninth on the all-time Queensland list behind the five centurions, Dayne Beams (90), Charlie Dixon (42) and David Armitage (40), with Charlie Cameron (25) completing the top 10.
In another win for Queensland football, Brisbane, with a club tally of 98 votes, and Gold Coast, with 95, finished 2nd and 3rd behind only Geelong (99).
Fletcher polled his first votes in his 63rd game against Fremantle in Perth in Round 23, when he had a career-high 32 possessions in a 57-point win. It was his first 30-possession game.
Payne, who will miss the grand final due to a Round 14 injury, polled his first votes against grand final opponents Geelong. It was the rescheduled opening round game played at the Gabba in Round 3 when he held Jeremy Cameron goalless.
Zorko, who also led the Queensland vote in 2019-21-24, followed 12 votes in 2024 since his move from the midfield to half back.
Dunstall topped the Queensland vote nine times, Riewoldt seven times, and Voss five teams.
Andrews was recognised for his commitment to and support of Beyond DV, which works to combat domestic violence.
He was commended for his focus on empowering young people, particularly boys, to develop emotional intelligence and reject violence.
He has been a Beyond DV ambassador since 2018, engaging directly with vulnerable youth and volunteering at events to support those impacted by domestic and family violence.
He played a key role in the development and launch of the “Ask a Mate” initiative, which is a prevention program promoting respectful relationships and consent education.”
Announcing the winner of the award named in memory of ex-Melbourne champion Jim Stynes, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon congratulated Andrews on his outstanding commitment to driving social change.
“Harris has shown incredible leadership and humility in using his platform to make a real difference. His work with Beyond DV and the Ask a Mate initiative has had a powerful impact on young people, particularly in teaching respect, consent and the importance of healthy relationships.
“Establishing himself as a trusted role model amongst the community, his character and values exemplify what we stand for as a game and embody the work of the late Jim Stynes.
