Fremantle's Shai Bolton has sensationally been awarded the Norm Smith Medal for his valiant efforts in a losing side.
Bolton racked up 686 metres gained - the most on the ground - two clearances and two behinds from his 26 touches, at 57% efficiency.
His side let what appeared to be a certain victory slip in the dying stages, but the Norm Smith Medal voting panel still awarded the zippy hybrid midfielder-forward best-on-ground honours.
Bolton joins Richmond's Maurice Rioli (1982), Gary Ablett Snr (1989), Nathan Buckley (2002) and Chris Judd (2005) as players from the losing side to be awarded the prestigious medal.
The Lions are now the only side to twice win a grand final and have the Norm Smith Medal awarded to an opposing player.
Prolific Lions Will Ashcroft and Dayne Zorko, and fire-starter Charlie Cameron were in the frame for the award, such was their impact on the crowning moment of the side's historic three-peat.
Ashcroft had 31 disposals, nine clearances, seven score involvements and was top-five for metres gained on the ground.
Zorko had second-most metres, with 660, and 23 kicks from his 28 touches, in a faultless performance behind the ball.
Cameron had three majors - equal-most on the ground - and involved himself further afield, too.
The Norm Smith Medal voting panel for the 2026 Grand Final was comprised of Andrew McLeod, (Chair, dual Norm Smith Medallist), Shaun Burgoyne, (four-time premiership player), Chris Judd (2005 Norm Smith Medallist and premiership captain), three-time Lions premiership captain Michael Voss, and Herald Sun journalist Lauren Wood.
Voting breakdown
Shai Bolton (Fremantle) – 10 votes (3,3,2,1,1)
Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) – 6 votes (3,3)
Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions) – 6 votes (3,2,1)
Caleb Serong (Fremantle) – 4 votes (2,2)
Hayden Young (Fremantle) – 3 votes (2,1)
Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions) – 1 vote (1)
The final votes from the panel were as follows:
Andrew McLeod (Chair)
3. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions)
2. Hayden Young (Fremantle)
1. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
Shaun Burgoyne
3. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions)
2. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
1. Hayden Young (Fremantle)
Chris Judd
3. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
2. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
1. Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions)
Michael Voss
3. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
2. Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
1. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
Lauren Wood
3. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
2. Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
1. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
