Zach Merrett has won his first Crichton Medal, finishing more than 100 votes ahead of his nearest teammates.

The 20 year old polled 378 votes to take out the best and fairest ahead of Joe Daniher and James Kelly who tied for second with 273 votes.

Merrett also won the Best Defensive player and the John Kilby Best Clubman Award.

“He’s just a self-driven player, self motivated, very clear on his long term goals for his footy career and he’s driving that,” Coach John Worsfold said earlier this season.

“We’re just guiding him along the way and helping him where he has some doubt, and helping him with his overall program to make sure it’s balanced.

“It’s great for me to see such a strongly self-motivated, talented athlete come through and be part of their career.”

Merrett has sought counsel from Brownlow Medal winner Chris Judd throughout the season and spoke to Geelong’s Joel Selwood late in the year when he was named stand in Captain for two matches.

Essendon selected Merrett with the 26th pick in the 2013 National Draft.

He made his debut in round one of 2014 and played 20 games that season.

Last year, he spent the final rounds on the sidelines because of a foot problem but he didn’t miss a match in 2016.

Merrett was ranked number one at the Bombers for disposals (657 – a Club record), metres gained, contested possessions, clearances, score involvements and tackles.

At 20 years and 329 days he is one of the youngest Essendon players to win the best and fairest behind Tim Watson (19 years and 50 days), Dick Reynolds (19 years and 88 days) and Neale Daniher (20 years and 189 days).

By the numbers:

Games: 22

Goals: 7

Ave Disposals: 29.9

Disposal Efficiency: 72.3

Ave Contested Possessions: 10.4

Ave Metres Gained: 444.1

Ave Score Involvements: 5.9

Ave Marks: 5.0

Ave Tackles: 6.2

Ave Inside 50’s: 4.9