Brisbane may have missed out on a spot in the grand final, but Lions star Lachie Neale has won the Brownlow Medal as a pretty good consolation prize.
Neale polled strongly throughout the night, nabbing three votes each in four of the first five games, finishing up on a whopping 31 votes despite the season being shortened to 17 games.
He picked up three votes in 10 of the 17 games this season, with an extra vote in a round-10 loss to Richmond.
He locked up the win with two rounds to spare, with Port Adelaide's Travis Boak finishing second on 21 votes, and Melbourne's Christian Petracca and St Kilda's Jack Steele tied for third on 20 votes.
Neale was an unbackable favourite heading into the count and he said it was a relief to have it over and done with.
"It's been spoken about quite a bit. I suppose there is a sense of relief that it's over now and I have the medal," he said.
"There was some great players throughout the year Travis Boak, Christian Petracca and Jack Steele, even Dustin Martin and Dangerfield had great years as well.
"There were always going to be challenges, but I'm very proud to have won it this year."
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there were a number of smaller ceremonies across the country instead of the one big event that usually takes place during grand final week.
That meant Neale missed out on the experience of having last year's winner and former Fremantle teammate Nat Fyfe hand him the award, but he did have some kind words to say from the other side of the country.
"You came us to at Freo as a late draft pick and from day one set about proving to the competition how good a player you could be," Fyfe said.
"I think what you've done at Brisbane over the last three seasons has really turned into one of the most consistent players in the competition, an absolute superstar.
"I wish I was there to give you a big hug and put the medal around your neck. I can't do that this year, but it's my great pleasure to now ask you to present yourself with the 2020 Brownlow Medal."
Check out all the glamour and drama of the night in our live blog.
