FREMANTLE midfielder Lachie Neale has claimed the Dockers' best and fairest for the first time following an outstanding individual season.
Neale, 23, was the only Docker to make the All Australian 40-man squad in a season where the club managed just four wins.
He led the AFL for total disposals in the home and away season and polled 20 Brownlow votes.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon and four members of the coaching staff award votes from zero to five for each player in each game. A player can receive a maximum of 25 votes for an outstanding performance and a minimum of zero.
Neale polled 200 votes across 22 games to win his first Doig Medal by 30 votes from runner-up Stephen Hill. Leading goalkicker Michael Walters finished third.
Neale was the third-youngest Docker to win a best and fairest behind six-time winner Matthew Pavlich and Brownlow medallist Nathan Fyfe.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet," Neale said.
"I'm sure it's something I'll reflect on over the next few weeks and be really proud of.
"It was a disappointing year and this just adds to the fuel for next year and the pre-season coming up to get back with the playing group and get stuck into it.
"I definitely improved this year but I have a way to go and there were patches throughout the season that I wasn't happy with."
Pavlich finished fourth in his 17th and final season at AFL level. It was the first time the retired club legend has finished in the top five since 2012.
Pavlich was honoured during the night and made a heart-felt speech to officially bring to a close his stunning 353-game career.
Neale also claimed the Players' Most Valuable Player Award, voted on by the playing squad, and the Freo Fans' MVP Award.
NAB AFL Rising star nominee Lachie Weller won the hotly contested Beacon Award as the club's best first or second-year player. He beat fellow Rising star nominee Connor Blakely.
Veteran ruckman, and last year's club champion, Aaron Sandilands was named best clubman.
The Dockers also honoured the Peel Thunder team that claimed a historic first WAFL premiership this year. The Dockers had 17 listed players play in the Grand Final win over Subiaco under their alignment system.
Peel coach Cam Shepherd, CEO John Ditchburn and all 22 players were presented commemorative watches by the Dockers.
Doig Medal top 10
1. Lachie Neale - 200 votes
2. Stephen Hill - 170
3. Michael Walters -152
4. Matthew Pavlich - 118
5. Lee Spurr - 116
6. Chris Mayne - 99
7. Hayden Ballantyne - 85
8. Michael Barlow - 80
9. David Mundy - 75
10. Tommy Sheridan - 65
Other awards
Players' Award – Lachie Neale
Freo Fans' MVP – Lachie Neale
Beacon Award (best first or second-year player) – Lachie Weller
Best Clubman Award – Aaron Sandilands
