Patrick Karnezis became an instant crowd favourite during his debut season after producing some memorable individual displays at the Gabba.

And although Karnezis’ senior opportunities with the Lions were limited in 2012, it still didn’t stop him from catching the eye of the State League umpires.

In fact, the 20 year-old proved so dominant in the NEAFL competition that he finished just three votes shy of taking home the Grogan Medal - which is awarded to the League’s best and fairest player.

Karnezis polled a Club-high 11 votes on Monday night, to finish equal ninth behind eventual winners Ryan Davey (Labrador), Fraser Pope (Southport) and Tom Salter (Redlands) who were part of a three-way tie.

In one of the lowest - and closest - counts on record, only three votes separated the top 12 vote-getters.

It was a remarkable result for Karnezis considering he played seven matches with the Lions senior team, and missed a couple of other Reserves games as the senior team’s emergency player.

He polled a total of five votes from matches against both Broadbeach (Round 2 and 10) and Mt Gravatt (Round 14 and 18), with his other vote coming against the Gold Coast SUNS in Round 17.

Claye Beams (nine votes) and Josh Green (eight votes) were also in contention late in the count, but finished the season with the seniors.

Aaron Cornelius, Sam Docherty, Jordan Lisle and Bryce Retzlaff all polled six votes, while Hyundai Lions Academy prospect Isaac Conway also secured a vote.

The Lions’ final vote tally showed the evenness of the team’s contributors.

2012 Grogan Medal Votes (Overall)
14 - Ryan Davey (Labrador)
14 - Fraser Pope (Southport)
14 - Tom Salter (Redland)
13 - Scott Clouston (Redland)
13 - Ezra Poyas (Broadbeach)
13 - Matthew Rosier (NT Thunder)
12 - Jason Burge (Southport)
12 - Matthew Payne (Aspley)
12 - Jason Roe (NT Thunder)
11 - Jason Eagle (Broadbeach)
11 - Josh Fraser (Gold Coast)
11 - Patrick Karnezis (Brisbane Lions)

2012 Grogan Medal Votes (Lions)
11 - Patrick Karnezis
9 - Claye Beams
8 - Josh Green
6 - Aaron Cornelius
6 - Sam Docherty
6 - Jordan Lisle
6 - Bryce Retzlaff
5 - Callum Bartlett
5 - Amon Buchanan
4 - James Hawksley
3 - Josh Dyson
3 - Ryan Harwood
3 - Jared Polec
3 - Andrew Raines
2 - Justin Clarke
2 - Cheynee Siller
1 - Isaac Conway
1 - Elliot Yeo