With a population of just over triple figures, the small town of Kybybolite continues to punch above its weight and its latest star is the toast of the football world.

On Sunday night former Tiger and current Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale was awarded one of the AFL’s highest individual honours.

The 27-year-old claimed his maiden Brownlow Medal in comprehensive fashion with the equal-largest margin of victory since the current voting format was introduced in 1978.

Neale was the hot favourite to win the “Charlie” after a prolific season in the centre square where he averaged 27.5 disposals and kicked 11 goals to push the Lions to their first preliminary final since 2004.

After hitting the lead in round four, Neale did not look back and won by a huge 10-vote margin from Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak.

Neale’s feats on and off the football field have not been lost on his former club Kybybolite, which celebrated the big night in style.

Each vote collected by the Brisbane star received a huge cheer from the Tigers’ clubhouse with around 100 locals showing their support.

The medal count was played on the big screen, while attendees tested their knowledge with a Neale-themed quiz.

Kybybolite Football Club president Jamie Tidy said it was an unforgettable occasion.

“Although we were all very confident towards the end when it looked like there was no chance he was going to get run down, every time L Neale was read out by Gillon McLachlan the club just erupted,” he said.

“We knew something very special was happening.

“Not many clubs get to experience what we got to experience on Sunday night, so we are all immensely proud of Lachie.”

Neale’s football career started at Kybybolite in his junior days and the youngster’s skills were already raising eyebrows from an early age.

He was part of a dominant Junior Colts team, which won five premierships in a row and at the age of 16 he had already broken into the A Grade squad.

Tidy said he only played alongside Neale twice, but the experience has stayed with him.

“He played two senior games and I played in both of them, I was very much an elder statesman and he was a young up and comer,” he said.

“I think he played on the wing because we had a good side then with some strong-bodied midfielders, who were seasoned campaigners, but he also kicked some classy goals and got in the best players, which was pretty amazing as a young kid.

“We were actually worried about him getting hurt because he was so little, but we certainly don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

Neale moved to boarding school in Adelaide shortly after his senior debut and rose through the ranks at Glenelg.

His AFL dream came true when he was Fremantle’s fourth selection in the 2011 draft and made his debut during the 2012 season.

Neale played in the unsuccessful 2013 AFL grand final against Hawthorn and soon became a regular member of the Dockers’ midfield along-side the likes of Nat Fyfe and David Mundy.

In 2018 he requested a trade to Queensland and became a Lion ahead of the 2019 season where he has reached new heights.

Despite all the success, Neale has not forgotten his roots and still makes regular visits to Kybybolite.

Tidy said the AFL star would always be a celebrated figure in the region.

“Lachie has always had exceptional skills and does not waste or burn the football,” he said.

“He has worked very hard on his game, but continually comes back home and has been to sports days at the school he went to locally.

“He is such a humble young man and will find success in whatever he does with football and after football.”