FREMANTLE'S resolve to keep Lachie Neale from Brisbane's clutches, or at least drive up the asking price, is set to grow after the star midfielder claimed his second Doig Medal on Saturday night.
Neale, who is contracted for next year but being tempted by a five-year deal from the Lions, added Freo's club champion award to his 2016 gong after polling 186 votes and edging out veteran David Mundy (164).
Superstar captain Nat Fyfe (150) rounded out the top three, despite missing six games through injury and one to suspension.
It was the third-straight podium finish for Neale, who was runner-up to Bradley Hill last year, and the 25-year-old joined elite company as a multiple Doig medallist.
Only Matthew Pavlich (six), Peter Bell (three), Aaron Sandilands (two) and Fyfe (two) – arguably Freo's four greatest players – had won the award more than once before Neale saluted as 2018's best Docker.
"Those names are really special players for this footy club and I don’t see myself in that esteem at the moment, but hopefully I'm building a career that at the end of it all I can look back and be really proud on," Neale said.
"There's some absolute stars that have come through the door and those names I feel very lucky and privileged to be in this position."
The ultra-consistent onballer played every game this season, averaging 30.3 disposals and booting 10 goals.
Neale only dipped below 26 possessions in a game twice, and was a shining light in a rollercoaster campaign for the rebuilding club.
He overtook Fyfe on the run home after the skipper raced to a 21-vote lead by round seven and still led by 20 votes at round 16.
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The Brownlow medallist slipped back after missing six of the final eight games of the year due to a hamstring strain.
Mundy, the 2010 Doig medallist, was runner-up for the third time in his decorated career.
Line-breaking wingman Ed Langdon and emerging half-back Luke Ryan capped breakout seasons by finishing in the top five.
Rounding out the top 10 were recruit Nathan Wilson, Joel Hamling, Michael Walters, Stephen Hill and Alex Pearce in his comeback season following complications with a broken leg.
Fourth-year dasher Langdon took home the Players' Award for best displaying the values set by the group at the start of the year.
Tall forward Brennan Cox received the Beacon Award – which uses the same eligibility criteria as the NAB AFL Rising Star - after booting 18 goals in 16 games.
Warhorse ruckman Sandilands was named Best Clubman to a huge reception from more than 900 guests at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Fyfe was inducted as a life member after notching 150 games this year, becoming the 26th person to receive the honour.
Larry Dwyer became the sixth recipient of the Con Regan Medal, acknowledged for his service as a member of the Fremantle Derby Club since its inception in 1998, acting as a committee member or president for 18 of those 21 seasons.
Doig Medal top 10
1. Lachie Neale – 186 votes
2. David Mundy – 164
3. Nat Fyfe – 150
4. Ed Langdon – 145
5. Luke Ryan – 130
6. Nathan Wilson – 124
7. Joel Hamling – 123
8. Michael Walters – 119
9. Stephen Hill – 100
10. Alex Pearce - 86
*Senior coach Ross Lyon and four other members of the Fremantle coaching staff were involved in the Doig Medal voting process, with each coach allocating up to five votes per player per round.
