With the Doig Medal Presentation Dinner rapidly approaching, fremantlefc.com.au looks at which players are likely to fare well in Saturday night’s best and fairest count.

A year on from his first Doig Medal win, Lachie Neale remains a hot favourite to go back-to-back in 2017. 

Neale led Fremantle for disposals and clearances and was second for contested possessions and tackles.

The 24-year-old recorded more than 30 disposals on eight occasions, including 40 against Essendon in round seven.

Neale starred at the MCG in 2017, kicking four goals in Freo’s thrilling win over Melbourne in round four and delivering the clearance that led to David Mundy’s after-the-siren goal that defeated Richmond in round eight.

Neale played all but one game in 2017, ruled out for Freo’s round 22 clash with Richmond – missing his first game since round two of the 2014 season.

In the Brownlow, Neale polled 14 votes – the second most of any Freo player behind Nat Fyfe’s 15 votes.

He polled three votes on four occasions, against Melbourne in round four, Essendon in round seven, Carlton in round nine and Gold Coast in round 20.

Best Doig Medal performances
2016: Winner

Key Stats (total / average per game)
Games: 21
Disposals: 571 / 27.2
Contested possessions: 274 / 13
Tackles: 94 / 4.5
Marks: 94 / 4.5
Clearances: 142 / 6.8
Inside 50s: 61 / 2.9
Goals: 14 / 0.7
AFL Fantasy points: 2103 / 100.1

Best performances
Disposals – 40 v Essendon, round 7
Contested possessions: 20 v Carlton, round 9
Marks – 9 vs Gold Coast, round 20
Tackles – 10 vs Gold Coast, round 20
Inside 50s – 6 v Collingwood, round 11
Clearances – 11 v Port Adelaide, round 2, West Coast, round 17 and Gold Coast, round 20
AFL Fantasy points – 152 vs Gold Coast, round 20

Poll

Photos


Round 2 v Port Adelaide


Round 4 v Melbourne


Round 5 v North Melbourne


Round 7 v Essendon


Round 8 v Richmond


Round 14 v Geelong


Round 15 v St Kilda


Round 20 v Gold Coast