The Brownlow Medal winner himself admitted he never expected to win Monday’s award, and it seems a large percentage of the AFL was equally surprised.
Brisbane veteran Lachie Neale polled 31 votes to win the medal for the second time, ahead of Marcus Bontempelli (29), Nick Daicos (28), Errol Gulden (27) and Zak Butters (27).
Neale became only the fourth player to win the Brownlow after missing out on All-Australian selection that year.
RECAP: All the results from the 2023 Brownlow Medal night
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The Lions gun admitted winning the vote count “doesn’t sit very well”.
“I’m sure it’ll sink in at a later date, I’m pretty rattled at the moment so apologies if this doesn’t go too well, I did not expect this,” Neale admitted.
If Neale himself was confused, others were dumfounded.
The Brownlow votes are still handed out by on-field umpires, and the system has been criticised many times in the past.
Former Lions player Tom Rockcliff – who left before Neale arrived in Brisbane – called some of the votes on Monday night “insane” and “mind blowing”.
In particular it was Neale polling a maximum three votes in round six that had people scratching their heads.
The umpires awarded him best-on-ground against the Giants when Neale had only seven kicks. In comparison his teammate Charlie Cameron kicked seven goals, and Giants players Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly had a stack of ball.
Neale was given no coaches votes for that performance.
Having finished only two votes ahead of Bontempelli and three ahead of Daicos, the Brownlow result could have been much different if Neale polled less, or not at all, in round six.
There is reportedly now a petition in motion to make the Brownlow a fan-voted system.
Brownlow Medal in pictures: Lachie Neale’s touching tribute to wife Julie after second medal
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
