Another Brownlow Medal, another night of shocking voting decisions – and this time former players have had enough and are calling for change.
Brisbane’s Lachie Neale claimed his second Brownlow Medal with 31 votes, stunning runaway favorites Marcus Bontempelli (29 votes) and Nick Daicos (28), but his controversial win was just the tip of the iceberg.
Fans and former stars have questioned how referees judge matches after a host of big performances went unrewarded and players appeared to vote on reputation alone on the AFL’s most glamorous night.
The medal has long had a reputation as an award for midfielders, and that was highlighted again, with several dominant performances from forwards failing to score votes.
It has led to fans, analysts and former players calling for referees to be allowed to look at the statistics before voting – or for them to be disenfranchised in the first place.
Former Brownlow medalist Dane Swan led the call for change.
“The AFL should record the referees in the rooms after a match and tell them who they are voting for,” he tweeted.
Because I’d like to know how the heck they made some of the decisions they made this year.
And you get full transparency, so we know nothing crazy is going on.”
Lachie Neale (pictured with wife Julie after winning the Brownlow) was shocked to win the award for a second time, joining rare company in the AFL as a dual recipient
There have been increasing calls to give referees access to statistics before they vote, or to strip them of the right to vote entirely after a series of Brownlow clashes
While it has been a huge season for Neale that could result in a premiership, questions were raised about some matches in which he collected votes over other players who had played better games.
Ex-St Kilda coach Grant Thomas even said Neale would feel ’embarrassed’ if he had won the award.
“He’s not a double Brownlow medalist,” Thomas tweeted.
‘Nothing against him. It’s not his fault, but I’m sure he’s a little ashamed too.’
Former Port Adelaide and Brisbane Lions star Tom Rockliff pointed out some of the critical flaws in the vote count.
“If one thing has become clear tonight it is that the Brownlow Medal can no longer be won by the referees,” he tweeted.
“Some of these voices are insane. Neale 3 vs Giants was kind of how you did it, but Horne Francis 3 vs Cats is stunning.”
Lachie Neale secured all three Brownlow votes in round six against the Giants with twenty disposals and six clearances. That was despite GWS players Josh Kelly (41 disposals) and Stephen Coniglio (38 disposals, nine clearances) having huge games.
Neale could barely speak after claiming the prize, so shocked was he when he beat the likes of Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli
Charlie Cameron, pictured with his wife Caitlin Seeto on the left and Brisbane Lions teammates on the right, was unlucky not to get three votes in a match in which he scored seven goals
“I think the referees got confused by giving Lachie Neale three votes in round six,” tweeted footy journalist Jon Ralph.
“I just watched every asset. 7 kicks, 13 handballs. One punch, five ineffective touches. No coaches vote. Not terrible, but not a single standout moment. Charlie Cameron seven goals.’
Lions veteran Daniel Rich was also unlucky, with 27 disposals and three goals, but the standout was Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron, who was in complete disarray after scoring seven goals from his 15 disposals.
‘If you can make a case for Lachie Neale who got 3 votes in round 6 when he had 20 disposals, 6 clearances and 3 score involvements ahead of Charlie Cameron 7 goals, Kelly 41 disposals, Coniglio 38 disposals or Brent Daniels 4 goals. Become a referee,” AFL analyst Campbell Brown wrote.
Jason Horne-Francis raised eyebrows as he won three votes despite an underwhelming performance against Geelong in Round 14
An injury cost Nick Daicos a chance at victory, while many felt Marcus Bontempelli, pictured with Neila Brenning, deserved the winner
In Round 14, Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis secured all three Brownlow votes despite registering just 13 disposals against Geelong.
“Just watched every Horne-Francis possession get three votes for 13 touches against Geelong and it’s a travesty,” Ralph tweeted.
’13 touches. Four ineffective, two clangers, four short kicks. One shouted kick from the ground that went three feet. No impact. Time to make referees look at statistics.’
In that same match, Dan Houston had 31 disposals, Zak Butters had 23 disposals, eight clearances and a goal, while Todd Marshall scored three goals and still had more disposals than a goalless Horne-Francis.
Sydney Swans youngster Errol Gulden could only manage one Brownlow point against the ‘Pies in round eight, despite recording a whopping 37 disposals to his name in a clear best performance on the ground.
Things got worse for the youngster, who emerged from the clouds to be a Brownlow candidate.
He was robbed of the three votes in the final round against Melbourne, despite 42 disposals and two goals – albeit in a beaten team.
Sydney Swans young star Errol Gulden came out of the clouds to finish fourth in the voting and in with a chance of winning the medal in the final round
Many fans and analysts believed that Gulden was robbed in the last match of the year, in which he failed to gain three votes, despite a huge haul of 42 disposals and two goals.
Christian Petracca also missed in the same match, despite making 29 disposals and scoring a goal that influenced his side claiming victory.
Medal favorite Marcus Bontempelli received all three votes for a game in which he had 15 turnovers.
Geelong star Jeremy Cameron received just one vote for a match in which he had 25 disposals, six goals and eight points.
Cameron joked on Instagram that he ‘could win this’, before adding: ‘Sorry, forgot I’m a striker!’.
Neale admitted he was shocked to win the award after missing out on All Australian selection and averaging 27.4 disposals, 8.1 clearances and 13.9 contested possessions during the season.
‘I didn’t expect this, and to be among the names who won two is incredible. It’s great to be in Brisbane and preparing for a grand final. I haven’t been involved in this week for 10 years, so I’m excited.”