Almanac Teams: Almost Brownlow Medallists
The Western Bulldogs’ Scott West [Source: Author]
This week’s side is a team of players since 1980 that have finished in the top three in the Brownlow without winning it. I was initially going for a side of runners up and team of third placegetters like the Rising Star award, but it was going to be too hard with a complete lack of defenders. Preference in the side went to players that had more than one top three finish, with Josh Francou due to balance the only multiple top three finisher not in the starting 18. Next priority apart from balance was given to those who finished runner up and a priority was given to Matthew Richardson to be on the bench just because I love him. Please do not take the side seriously as you can play any players from the others into the starting 18 and it will be still very good. Enjoy.
FB: Nathan Burke (St.K) Stephen Silvagni (Carl) Ken Hinkley (Fitz/Geel)
CHB: Nick Daicos (Coll) Paul Roos (Fitz/Syd) Andrew McLeod (Adel)
C: Nick Dal Santo (St.K/NM) Scott West (WB) Peter Matera (WCE)
CHF: Brent Harvey (NM) Chris Grant (WB) Daniel Kerr (WCE)
FF: Lance Franklin (Haw/Syd) Jason Dunstall (Haw) Leigh Matthews (Haw)
Ruck: Simon Madden (Ess) Marcus Bontempelli (WB) Garry Hocking (Geel)
Interchange: Travis Boak (PA), Josh Francou (PA), Matthew Richardson (Rich), Joel Selwood (Geel)
Sub: Darren Jarman (Haw/Adel)
Others: Matthew Allan (Carl/Ess), Rod Ashman (Carl), Rod Blake (Geel), Angus Brayshaw (Melb), Zac Butters (PA), David Cloke (Rich/Coll), Chad Cornes (PA), Robert Flower (Melb), Lenny Hayes (St.K), Justin Madden (Ess/Carl), Tony McGuinness (Foots/Adel), Paul Meldrum (Carl), Mark Mercuri (Ess), Touk Miller (GCS), Merv Neagle (Ess/Syd), Clayton Oliver (Melb), Luke Parker (Syd/NM), Christian Petracca (Melb), Maurice Rioli (Rich), Brian Royal (Foots), Steele Sidebottom (Coll), Jack Steele (GWS/St.K), Scott Thompson (Melb/Adel), Craig Turley (WCE/Melb), Tim Watson (Ess), Terry Wallace (Haw/Rich/Foots), Nicky Winmar (St.K/WB), Graham Wright (Coll), Adem Yze (Melb)
Nathan Burke
323 games St Kilda (1987-2003)
95 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 1996
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
Stephen Silvagni
312 games Carlton (1985-2001)
69 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 1990
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Ken Hinkley
11 games Fitzroy (1987-1988)
121 games Geelong (1989-1995)
132 games (1987-1995)
43 Brownlow Votes
3rd Brownlow 1992
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Nick Daicos
94 games Collingwood (2022- )
77 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2024
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
Paul Roos
269 games Fitzroy (1982-1994)
87 games Sydney (1995-1998)
356 games (1982-1998)
121 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 1985 and 1986
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
Andrew McLeod
340 games Adelaide (1995-2010)
142 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2001
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 4
Nick Dal Santo
260 games St Kilda (2002-2013)
62 games North Melbourne (2014-2016)
322 games (2002-2016)
135 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 2005 and 2011
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 3
Scott West
324 games Footscray/Western Bulldogs (1993-2008)
175 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2000 and 2006
Top 3 Finish – 3
Top 5 Finish – 5
Top 10 Finish – 6
Peter Matera
253 games West Coast (1990-2002)
126 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 1994
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 3
Top 10 Finish – 3
Brent Harvey
432 games North Melbourne/Kangaroos (1996-2016)
191 Brownlow votes
Equal 2nd Brownlow 2007
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 4
Chris Grant
341 games Footscray/Western Bulldogs (1990-2007)
112 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 1996 (ineligible winner 1997)
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 3
Daniel Kerr
220 games West Coast (2001-2013)
114 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2005 and equal 2nd Brownlow 2007
Top 3 Finish – 3
Top 5 Finish – 3
Top 10 Finish – 3
Lance Franklin
182 games Hawthorn (2005-2013)
172 games Sydney (2014-2023)
354 games (2005-2023)
186 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 2014
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 4
Jason Dunstall
269 games Hawthorn (1985-1998)
129 Brownlow votes
Equal 2nd Brownlow 1988 and 2nd Brownlow 1992
Top 3 Finish – 3
Top 5 Finish – 4
Top 10 Finish – 4
Leigh Matthews
332 games Hawthorn (1969-1985)
202 Brownlow votes (in 1976 and 1977 both field umpires gave votes)
3rd Brownlow 1973 and equal 3rd 1982
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 5
Top 10 Finish – 6
Simon Madden
378 games Essendon (1974-1992)
129 Brownlow votes (in 1976 and 1977 both field umpires gave votes)
Equal 2nd Brownlow 1988
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 3
Top 10 Finish – 3
Marcus Bontempelli
258 games Western Bulldogs (2014- )
188 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2021 and 2023
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 5
Garry Hocking
274 games Geelong (1987-2001)
133 Brownlow votes
Equal 2nd Brownlow 1993
Top 3 Finish – 4
Top 5 Finish – 4
Top 10 Finish – 6
Travis Boak
387 games Port Adelaide (2007-2025)
174 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2020
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 4
Josh Francou
156 games Port Adelaide (1997-2005)
67 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2002
Top 3 Finish – 2
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
Matthew Richardson
282 games Richmond (1993-2009)
140 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 2008
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 2
Joel Selwood
355 games (2007-2022)
214 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2013
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 3
Top 10 Finish – 5
Darren Jarman
109 games Hawthorn (1991-1995)
121 games Adelaide (1996-2001)
230 games (1991-2001)
95 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 1995
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 3
Others
Matthew Allan
140 games Carlton (1994-2003)
21 games Essendon (2004-2005)
33 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 1999
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Rod Ashman
236 games Carlton (1973-1986)
97 Brownlow votes (in 1976 and 1977 both field umpires gave votes)
3rd Brownlow 1981
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Rod Blake
176 games Geelong (1971-1983)
31 Brownlow votes (in 1976 and 1977 both field umpires gave votes)
3rd Brownlow 1980
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Angus Brayshaw
167 games Melbourne (2015-2023)
33 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 2018
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Zak Butters
139 games Port Adelaide (2019- )
62 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 2024
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
David Cloke
219 games Richmond (1974-1982, 1990-1991)
114 games Collingwood (1983-1989)
333 games (1974-1989)
121 Brownlow votes (in 1976 and 1977 both field umpires gave votes)
2nd Brownlow 1984
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 2
Chad Cornes
239 games Port Adelaide (1998-2011)
16 games Greater Western Sydney (2012-2013)
255 games (1998-2013)
50 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 2004
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Robert Flower
272 games Melbourne (1973-1987)
150 Brownlow votes (in 1976 and 1977 both field umpires gave votes)
3rd Brownlow 1984
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 3
Lenny Hayes
297 games St Kilda (1999-2014)
129 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 2009
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 3
Top 10 Finish – 3
Justin Madden
45 games Essendon (1980-1982)
287 games Carlton (1983-1996)
332 games (1980-1996)
120 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 1985
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Tony McGuinness
109 games Footscray (1986-1990)
113 games Adelaide (1991-1996)
222 games (1986-1996)
93 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 1987
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 3
Paul Meldrum
158 games Carlton (1982-1992)
46 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 1987
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Mark Mercuri
207 games Essendon (1992-2004)
53 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 1999
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Touk Miller
213 games Gold Coast (2015- )
66 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 2022
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Merv Neagle
147 games Essendon (1977-1985)
56 games Sydney (1986-1990)
203 games (1977-1990)
76 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 1980
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
Clayton Oliver
205 games Melbourne (2016- )
121 Brownlow votes
3rd Brownlow 2021
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 3
Luke Parker
293 games Sydney (2011-2024)
22 games North Melbourne (2025- )
315 games (2011- )
152 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2016
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
Christian Petracca
212 games Melbourne (2016- )
114 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 2020
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 4
Maurice Rioli
118 games Richmond (1982-1987)
60 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 1983
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 3
Brian Royal
199 games Footscray (1983-1993)
53 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 1987
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
Steele Sidebottom
353 games Collingwood (2009- )
101 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 2018
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Jack Steele
17 games Greater Western Sydney (2015-2016)
185 games St Kilda (2017- )
202 games (2015- )
88 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 2020
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 2
Top 10 Finish – 2
Scott Thompson
39 games Melbourne (2001-2004)
269 games Adelaide (2005-2017)
308 games (2001-2017)
155 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 2012
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 2
Craig Turley
115 games West Coast (1989-1995)
16 games Melbourne (1996)
131 games (1989-1996)
2nd Brownlow 1991
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Tim Watson
307 games Essendon (1977-1991, 1993-1994)
86 Brownlow votes (in 1976 and 1977 both field umpires gave votes)
Equal 3rd Brownlow 1989
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 3
Top 10 Finish – 3
Terry Wallace
174 games Hawthorn (1978-1986)
11 games Richmond (1987)
69 games Footscray (1988-1991)
254 games (1978-1991)
70 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 1983
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 2
Nicky Winmar
230 games St Kilda (1987-1998)
21 games Western Bulldogs (1999)
251 games (1987-1999)
82 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 1989
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Graham Wright
201 games Collingwood (1988-1998)
44 Brownlow votes
2nd Brownlow 1990
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 1
Adem Yze
271 games Melbourne (1995-2008)
71 Brownlow votes
Equal 3rd Brownlow 2002
Top 3 Finish – 1
Top 5 Finish – 1
Top 10 Finish – 2
Brownlow Counts Since 1980
1980
1st Kelvin Templeton Footscray 23 Votes
2nd Merv Neagle Essendon 20 Votes
3rd Rod Blake Geelong 19 Votes
4th Peter Moore Collingwood 18 Votes
5th Tim Watson Essendon 17 Votes
Surprise vote getter
6th Chris Smith Fitzroy 16 Votes.
Templeton polled five Best on Grounds, (the only ones the Bulldogs received) in a year the Bulldogs won five games.
1981
Equal 1st Bernie Quinlan Fitzroy 22 Votes
Equal 1st Barry Round South Melbourne 22 Votes
3rd Rod Ashman Carlton 21 Votes
4th Peter Moore Collingwood 16 Votes
Equal 5th Merv Neagle Essendon 15 Votes
Equal 5th John Mossop Geelong 15 Votes
Equal 5th Trevor Barker St Kilda 15 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 11th Francis Jackson South Melbourne 11 Votes
1981 was the first year the countback was abandoned, both Quinlan and Round had six Best on Grounds.
1982
1st Brian Wilson Melbourne 23 Votes
2nd Ross Glendinning North Melbourne 18 Votes
Equal 3rd Leigh Matthews Hawthorn 17 Votes
Equal 3rd Terry Wallace Hawthorn 17 Votes
5th Gary Dempsey North Melbourne 16 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 11th Peter Keenan Melbourne 12 Votes
Wilson was just days short of his 21st Birthday and after four years and two clubs, 48 games he was journeyman prior to 1982.
1983
1st Ross Glendinning North Melbourne 24 Votes
2nd Maurice Rioli Richmond 23 Votes
3rd Simon Madden Essendon 22 Votes
4th Gary Dempsey North Melbourne 17 Votes
5th Mark Lee Richmond 16 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 10th Steven Icke Melbourne 13 Votes
Richmond finished 10th with seven wins for the year yet had two players in the top five. Richmond received 65 votes for the year.
1984
1st Peter Moore Melbourne 24 Votes
2nd David Cloke Collingwood 21 Votes
3rd Robert Flower Melbourne 19 Votes
4th Steven Taubert Sydney 15 Votes
Equal 5th Simon Madden Essendon 14 Votes
Equal 5th Doug Hawkins Footscray 14 Votes
Equal 5th Michael Byrne Hawthorn 14 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 8th Allan Sidebottom St Kilda 12 Votes
Melbourne finished 9th for the year yet had two in the top three in the votes. Melbourne received 64 votes for the year. This was the first year the votes were read in round order.
After 12 Rounds, Robert Flower led with 19 Votes then Peter Moore 16 Votes, Wayne Johnston 12 votes, David Cloke 9 Votes. Moore took the lead with seven rounds to go.
1985
1st Brad Hardie Footscray 22 Votes
2nd Justin Madden Carlton 21 Votes
3rd Paul Roos Fitzroy 16 Votes
Equal 4th Tim Watson Essendon 15 Votes
Equal 4th Brian Royal Footscray 15 Votes
Equal 4th Stephen Wallis Footscray 15 Votes
Equal 4th Gary Ablett Geelong 15 Votes
Equal 4th Greg Williams Geelong 15 Votes
Equal 4th Matthew Larkin North Melbourne 15 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 10th Tom Alvin Carlton 14 Votes
After 12 Rounds Paul Roos led with 15 Votes from Stephen Wallis on 14 and Matthew Larkin with 13. Brad Hardie was 4 votes and Justin Madden was 3 votes. Hardie received 10 votes from Round 17-20, Madden received five best on grounds from Round 17-21 to take the lead before Brad Hardie polled 2 votes in the last round to win.
1986
Equal 1st Robert DiPierdomenico Hawthorn 17 Votes
Equal 1st Greg Williams Sydney 17 Votes
3rd Paul Roos Fitzroy 16 Votes
4th Glenn Hawker Essendon 15 Votes
5th John Platten Hawthorn 14 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
6th Bruce Abernathy Collingwood 13 Votes
After Round 11 Greg Williams lead with 14 votes, five clears from Robert DiPierdomenico and Shane Morwood on 9. Williams did not pole another vote after Round 16 where he led DiPierdomenico and Glenn Hawker by 6 votes. DiPierdomenico would catch Williams with three rounds to go.
1987
Equal 1st John Platten Hawthorn 20 Votes
Equal 1st Tony Lockett St Kilda 20 Votes
Equal 3rd Paul Meldrum Carlton 15 Votes
Equal 3rd Tony McGuinness Footscray 15 Votes
Equal 3rd Brian Royal Footscray 15 Votes
Paul Meldrum had five best on grounds between Round 2 & 8 and by Round 13 was leading the Brownlow with 15 Votes from John Platten with 14, Brian Royal on 13 votes and Tony Lockett on 6 votes. Lockett caught Platten with three rounds to go and both of them would get 3 votes in Round 21.
1988
1st Gerard Healy Sydney 20 Votes
Equal 2nd Simon Madden Essendon 16 Votes
Equal 2nd Jason Dunstall Hawthorn 16 Votes
4th Tony Hall Hawthorn 15 Votes
Equal 5th Darren Millan Collingwood 14 Votes
Equal 5th Darren Kappler Fitzroy 14 Votes
Equal 5th Peter Foster Footscray 14 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 8th Adrian Gleeson Carlton 13 Votes
After Round 12 Darren Millane lead with 13 votes from Tony Hall on 12 and Simon Madden 11, Gerard Healy 9 and Jason Dunstall 6. Gerard Healy would join Simon Madden as Equal leader in Round 16 before leading outright with three rounds to go.
1989
1st Paul Couch Geelong 22 Votes
2nd John Platten Hawthorn 20 Votes
Equal 3rd Tim Watson Essendon 16 Votes
Equal 3rd Jason Dunstall Hawthorn 16 Votes
Equal 3rd Nicky Winmar St Kilda 16 Votes
Equal 3rd Greg Williams Sydney 16 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 7th Paul Hawke Collingwood 14 Votes
After Round 11 Garry Hocking was leading with 11 Votes from Peter Daicos and Greg Williams on 9 and then Paul Couch and John Platten on 8. Couch would get the lead in Round 16 before Platten joined him in Round 19 with Couch regaining and winning with one round to go.
1990
1st Tony Liberatore Footscray 18 Votes
2nd Graham Wright Collingwood 17 Votes
3rd Stephen Silvagni Carlton 16 Votes
Equal 4th David Bain Brisbane 15 Votes
Equal 4th Andrew Collins Hawthorn 15 Votes
Equal 4th Brett Lovett Melbourne 15 Votes
Liberatore had 14 Votes by Round 8 and was leading with this amount at Round 11 from Bill Brownless and John Platten on 10 and David Bain and Brett Lovett on 9 votes then Graham Wright on 8. Liberatore did not play another game after Round 19 where he had 2 vote lead over Stephen Silvagni. While midfielders were heavy vote getters, good to see Silvagni, Collins, and Lovett in the top five.
1991
1st Jim Stynes Melbourne 25 Votes
2nd Craig Turley West Coast 20 Votes
3rd Garry Hocking Geelong 19 Votes
4th Peter Matera West Coast 18 Votes
Equal 5th Michael McLean Brisbane 17 Votes
Equal 5th Paul Hudson Hawthorn 17 Votes
Equal 5th Matthew Knights Richmond 17 Votes
After Round 12 Matthew Knights led with 15 votes from Craig Turley and Michael McLean on 13 votes and then Damian Bourke on 12 votes and Jim Stynes on 11 votes. Stynes would take the lead with five rounds to go. Famously David Cloke polled 9 votes in his three last career games.
1992
1st Scott Wynd Footscray 20 Votes
2nd Jason Dunstall Hawthorn 18 Votes
3rd Ken Hinkley Geelong 17 Votes
4th Stewart Loewe St Kilda 16 Votes
Equal 5th Darren Jarman Hawthorn 14 Votes
Equal 5th Wayne Carey North Melbourne 14 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 8th Jon Dorotich Carlton 12 Votes
After Round 11 Stewart Loewe led with 13 votes from Scott Wynd on 12 votes and then Scott Russell, Graham Wright, Gary Ablett, and Jason Dunstall on 9 Votes. Scott Wynd would Equal Loewe in Round 16 before taking the lead with six rounds to go.
1993
1st Gavin Wanganeen Essendon 18 Votes
Equal 2nd Greg Williams Carlton 17 Votes
Equal 2nd Garry Hocking Geelong 17 Votes
Equal 4th Jason Dunstall Hawthorn 16 Votes
Equal 4th Wayne Carey North Melbourne 16 Votes
After Round 11 Wayne Schwass would lead by 5 votes with 14 votes in total but would not get any more votes. On 9 votes were Greg Williams, Nathan Buckley, Wayne Carey and Matthew Knights with Gavin Wanganeen and Garry Hocking on 5 votes. Wanganeen would take the lead from Schwass with four rounds to go.
1994
1st Greg Williams Carlton 30 Votes
2nd Peter Matera West Coast 28 Votes
3rd Garry Hocking Geelong 20 Votes
4th Wayne Schwass North Melbourne 19 Votes
5th Damian Monkhorst Collingwood 17 Votes
Greg Williams led from Round 9 and after Round 12 he had 18 votes then Peter Matera had 16 votes, Jason Dunstall 12 votes and then Tony Liberatore and Wayne Carey with 11 votes. This was the first time apart from 1976 & 77 where someone had broken 30 votes. Williams polled nine bests on grounds.
1995
1st Paul Kelly Sydney 21 Votes
2nd Darren Jarman Hawthorn 18 Votes
3rd Garry Hocking Geelong 17 Votes
Equal 4th Michael Long Essendon 16 Votes
Equal 4th Paul Couch Geelong 16 Votes
Equal 4th Matthew Knights Richmond 16 Votes
Equal 4th Robert Harvey St Kilda 16 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 11th Scott Chisholm Fremantle 13 Votes
After Round 11 Wayne Carey was leading with 11 votes from Michael Long on 10 votes and Scott Chisholm on 9 votes. Paul Kelly was on 8 votes and would take the lead in the Brownlow with three rounds to go.
1996
Equal 1st Michael Voss Brisbane 21 Votes
Equal 1st James Hird Essendon 21 Votes
*Ineligible Corey McKernan North Melbourne 21 Votes
Equal 3rd Chris Grant Footscray 20 Votes
Equal 3rd Nathan Burke North Melbourne 20 Votes
5th Garry Hocking Geelong 19 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 8th Justin Charles Richmond 17 Votes
After Round 11 Corey McKernan led with 16 votes from Michael Voss 14 votes, Garry Hocking 13, Nathan Burke 12 and James Hird and Stewart Loewe on 11 votes. McKernan did not poll another vote after Round 17 with Voss joining him with one round to go and Hird in the last round. McKernan was ruled ineligible after a one week suspension in Round 6. Paul Salmon polled 18 votes in the last 9 rounds.
1997
*Ineligible Chris Grant Western Bulldogs 27 Votes
1st Robert Harvey St Kilda 26 Votes
Equal 2nd Paul Kelly Sydney 21 Votes
Equal 2nd Peter Matera West Coast 21 Votes
Equal 4th Mark Ricciuto Adelaide 18 Votes
Equal 4th Nathan Burke St Kilda 18 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
7th Andrew Wills Fremantle 15 Votes
After Round 12 Andrew Wills was leading with 15 votes from Mark Ricciuto and Peter Matera 13 votes, Chris Grant 12 votes and Robert Harvey 11 votes. With three rounds to go Harvey took the lead with 23 votes but Chris Grant polled 8 votes in the last three games to have the most votes by 1 vote. Sadly, Grant was ruled ineligible after being suspended in Round 7.
1998
1st Robert Harvey St Kilda 32 Votes
2nd Nathan Buckley Collingwood 24 Votes
3rd Scott West Western Bulldogs 23 Votes
4th Shaun Rehn Adelaide 22 Votes
5th Mark Ricciuto Adelaide 21 Votes
Robert Harvey took the lead in Round 9 and by Round 11 he was leading with 16 votes from Shaun Rehn on 13, Matthew Burton, Todd Viney and Scott West on 12 votes and Nathan Buckley on 11 votes.
1999
1st Shane Crawford Hawthorn 28 Votes
2nd Mark Mercuri Essendon 22 Votes
Equal 3rd Matthew Allan Carlton 20 Votes
Equal 3rd Nathan Buckley Collingwood 20 Votes
5th Wayne Schwass Sydney 19 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 8th Adrian Fletcher Fremantle 15 Votes
Shane Crawford would lead at Round 11 with 14 votes from Matthew Allan, Shannon Grant, and Wayne Schwass on 11 votes. Mark Mercuri was on 6 votes. Crawford would join Mercuri in the lead with five rounds to go and he would then poll four best on grounds between Round 18-21.
2000
1st Scott Woewodin Melbourne 24 Votes
2nd Scott West Western Bulldogs 22 Votes
3rd Andrew McLeod Adelaide 20 Votes
4th Anthony Koutoufides Carlton 19 Votes
Equal 5th Brett Ratten Carlton 18 Votes
Equal 5th Nathan Buckley Collingwood 18 Votes
After Round 11 Shane Woewodin led with 15 votes from James Hird and Scott West on 14 votes, Anthony Koutoufides 13 and Nathan Buckley on 12 votes. After Round 16 West lead 18 votes to Woewodin 16 votes, before Woewodin took the lead with five rounds to go.
2001
1st Jason Akermanis Brisbane 23 Votes
2nd Andrew McLeod Adelaide 21 Votes
Equal 3rd Michael Voss Brisbane 19 Votes
Equal 3rd Josh Francou Port Adelaide 19 Votes
5th Ben Cousins West Coast 18 Votes
After Round 11 Jason Akermanis was leading with 15 votes from Andrew McLeod and Josh Francou on 13, Shane O’Bree on 12 votes and Shannon Grant on 11 votes. Akermanis would lose the lead to McLeod in Round 19 before regaining and winning with one round to go.
2002
1st Simon Black Brisbane 25 Votes
2nd Josh Francou Port Adelaide 21 Votes
Equal 3rd Michael Voss Brisbane 17 Votes
Equal 3rd Shane Crawford Hawthorn 17 Votes
Equal 3rd Adem Yze Melbourne 17 Votes
After Round 11 Michael Voss lead with 14 votes from Shane Crawford with 12 and then Andrew McLeod and Travis Johnstone with 11. Simon Black had 8 votes and Josh Francou had 4 votes. Black would take the lead from Crawford with five rounds to go.
2003
Equal 1st Mark Ricciuto Adelaide 22 Votes
Equal 1st Nathan Buckley Collingwood 22 Votes
Equal 1st Adam Goodes Sydney 22 Votes
Equal 4th Shane Crawford Hawthorn 21 Votes
Equal 4th Gavin Wanganeen Port Adelaide 21 Votes
Equal 4th Ben Cousins West Coast 21 Votes
All the name above were Brownlow winners with others in the top ten including Voss 19, Hird 19 and Harvey 18 votes in one of the most thrilling counts ever.
After 11 Rounds Nigel Lappin led with 16 votes, Andrew McLeod 15, Gavin Wanganeen 14, Michael Voss 13 with the eventual winners Adam Goodes 11, Nathan Buckley 8, and Mark Ricciuto 5 votes.
In Round 19 with three rounds to Goodes, Buckley and Cousins led with 20 votes, Bell and Ricciuto with 19 votes, McLeod 18 votes, Voss and Wanganeen with 17 votes, Lappin 16 votes, Harvey, Hird with 15 votes and Crawford with 14 votes.
With one round to go there was still ten players that could win or tie the Brownlow. Buckley, Ricciuto and Cousins led with 21 votes, Goodes 20 votes , Bell, Crawford, Voss and Wanganeen with 19 votes and Harvey and McLeod with 18 votes.
2004
1st Chris Judd West Coast 30 Votes
2nd Mark Ricciuto Adelaide 23 Votes
3rd Chad Cornes Port Adelaide 22 Votes
Equal 4th Brett Kirk Sydney 20 Votes
Equal 4th Scott West Western Bulldogs 20 Votes
Chris Judd led from the outset having 9 votes after 4 rounds and after Round 11 Judd led with 16 votes, Mark Ricciuto and Chad Cornes 13 votes and Luke Power and Paul Haselby with 11. Judd and Ricciuto shared the lead from Round 16 to 19 before Judd polled in the last four rounds.
2005
1st Ben Cousins West Coast 20 Votes
2nd Daniel Kerr West Coast 19 Votes
3rd Nick Dal Santo St Kilda 18 Votes
4th Scott West Western Bulldogs 17 Votes
Equal 5th Tyson Edwards Adelaide 16 Votes
Equal 5th Barry Hall Sydney 16 Votes
The 2005 Grand Finalist West Coast went 1-2 in 2005 Brownlow. After Round 11 Jude Bolton led with 12 votes from Peter Everitt, Nick Dal Santo and Ben Cousins 11 votes and Luke Power and Daniel Kerr on 10. Cousins would take the outright in Round 16 and then not poll a vote in the last four rounds.
2006
1st Adam Goodes Sydney 26 Votes
2nd Scott West Western Bulldogs 23 Votes
3rd Daniel Kerr West Coast 22 Votes
4th Chris Judd West Coast 21 Votes
5th Brad Johnson Western Bulldogs 19 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 6th Brendon Lade Port Adelaide 15 Votes
After Round 11 Scott West led with 14 votes with Jonathon Brown and Chris Judd on 13 and Adam Goodes and Daniel Kerr on 12. West would lead until Round 17 and then Kerr lead until Round 20. With two rounds to Kerr and West led with 22, Judd 21 and Goodes 20, however Goodes received two best on grounds in the last two rounds.
2007
1st Jimmy Bartel Geelong 29 Votes
Equal 2nd Simon Black Brisbane 22 Votes
Equal 2nd Brent Harvey North Melbourne 22 Votes
Equal 2nd Daniel Kerr West Coast 22 Votes
5th Sam Mitchell Hawthorn 21 Votes
Chris Judd got off to a flyer having 16 votes after Round 8, however he did not poll anymore votes. After Round 11 Simon Black and Jimmy Bartel led with 17 votes, Chris Judd 16 and then Scott Thompson and Dane Swan had 11 votes. Brent Harvey had four votes at this stage. Previous winner Adam Goodes did not have a vote but would receive 20 votes from Round 12. Bartel would hit the outright lead with five rounds to go.
2008
1st Adam Cooney Western Bulldogs 24 Votes
2nd Simon Black Brisbane 23 Votes
Equal 3rd Gary Ablett Jnr Geelong 22 Votes
Equal 3rd Matthew Richardson Richmond 22 Votes
5th Adam Goodes Sydney 21 Votes
Like the previous year Simon Black was leading after Round 11 with 20 votes, leading from Adam Goodes on 18, Adam Cooney 16, Scott Thompson, and Gary Ablett on 14 and Lance Franklin, Brad Sewell, and Matthew Richardson on 13. With two rounds to go Simon Black led with 23, Gary Ablett and Matthew Richardson had 22 votes and Adam Cooney and Adam Goodes and 21votes. Cooney was the only player to poll in the last two rounds with two votes in Round 21 to win by one vote.
2009
1st Gary Ablett Jnr Geelong 30 Votes
2nd Chris Judd Carlton 22 Votes
3rd Lenny Hayes St Kilda 20 Votes
Equal 4th Simon Black Brisbane 19 Votes
Equal 4th Jonathan Brown Brisbane 19 Votes
Gary Ablett led the Brownlow from Round 3 and at Round 11 had 19 votes leading Lenny Hayes on 16, Nick Dal Santo on 12 and Chris Judd on 11.
2010
1st Chris Judd Carlton 30 Votes
2nd Gary Ablett Jnr Geelong 26 Votes
3rd Dane Swan Collingwood 24 Votes
Equal4th Scott Pendlebury Collingwood 21 Votes
Equal4th Joel Selwood Geelong 21 Votes
Chris Judd polled five best on grounds in a row from Round 4-8 to take the lead. After Round 11 Judd led with 17 votes from Aaron Sandilands with 13 and Gary Ablett and Jobe Watson with 12 votes. Judd and Ablett swapped positions from the previous year.
2011
1st Dane Swan Collingwood 34 Votes
2nd Sam Mitchell Hawthorn 30 Votes
3rd Nick Dal Santo St Kilda 28 Votes
Equal 4th Scott Pendlebury Collingwood 24 Votes
Equal 4th Matthew Boyd Western Bulldogs 24 Votes
After Round 11 Scott Pendlebury led with 16 votes from Lance Franklin 14, Dane Swan 13 and Jobe Watson and Andrew Swallow on 11. Sam Mitchell polled four best on grounds from five games between Round 12-16 to take the lead before Swan in Round 17 and then Swan and Mitchell led in Round 18-19 and then Mitchell led Round 20-21 before Swan kept the lead with three rounds to go in Round 22.
2012
*Was Disqualified in 2017 Jobe Watson Essendon 30 Votes
Equal 1st Sam Mitchell Hawthorn 26 Votes
Equal 1st Trent Cotchin Richmond 26 Votes
Equal 3rd Scott Thompson Adelaide 25 Votes
Equal 3rd Dane Swan Collingwood 25 Votes
5th Gary Ablett Jnr Gold Coast 24 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 10th Scott Selwood West Coast 15 Votes
After Round 11 Jobe Watson led with 20 votes from teammate Brent Stanton 14 votes, Scott Thompson, Scott Pendlebury and Gary Ablett on 12. Both Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin were on 9 votes. Watson only polled one vote in last four rounds while Sam Mitchell polled six votes and Trent Cotchin polled 11 votes in last four rounds. Watson was disqualified in 2017 for the Essendon drug saga.
2013
1st Gary Ablett Jnr Gold Coast 28 Votes
2nd Joel Selwood Geelong 27 Votes
3rd Dane Swan Collingwood 26 Votes
4th Steve Johnson Geelong 25 Votes
5th Patrick Dangerfield Geelong 22 Votes
After Round 11 Gary Ablett and Daniel Hannebery led with 18 votes from Patrick Dangerfield with 13 votes, Jobe Watson 12 and Steve Johnson and Joel Selwood with 11. Ablett first shared a co-lead in Round 11 before taking overall lead in Round 12 then losing it to Joel Selwood with two rounds to go. Ablett would then poll 3 votes in the last round to win.
2014
1st Matt Priddis West Coast 26 Votes
2nd Nat Fyfe Fremantle 25 Votes
Equal3rd Gary Ablett Jnr Gold Coast 22 Votes
Equal3rd Lance Franklin Sydney 22 Votes
Equal5th Patrick Dangerfield Adelaide 21 Votes
Equal5th Joel Selwood Geelong 21 Votes
Equal5th Travis Boak Port Adelaide 21 Votes
Equal5th Josh Kennedy Sydney 21 Votes
After Round 11 Gary Ablett led with 17 votes (he would not play after Round 16), Patrick Dangerfield 14, Travis Boak 12 and Dayne Beams, Steve Johnson, Josh Kennedy (Syd), Matthew Priddis on 11 votes. Nat Fyfe was 6 votes after round 11 but would 19 votes between Round 12-20 before missing the last two games. Matt Priddis polled two votes in the last round to win by one vote.
2015
1st Nat Fyfe Fremantle 31 Votes
2nd Matt Priddis West Coast 28 Votes
3rd Sam Mitchell Hawthorn 26 Votes
4th Josh Kennedy Sydney 25 Votes
5th Daniel Hannebery Sydney 24 Votes
After Round 11 Nat Fyfe led with 23 votes from Matt Priddis on 19, Daniel Hannebery on 18 and Sam Mitchell on 15. Fyfe had led since Round 6 polling six best on grounds in eight rounds between Round 2 and 9. Fyfe did not poll after Round 17 and from there missed four of the last six games.
2016
1st Patrick Dangerfield Geelong 35 Votes
2nd Luke Parker Sydney 26 Votes
3rd Dustin Martin Richmond 25 Votes
4th Rory Sloane Adelaide 24 Votes
Equal 5th Adam Treloar Collingwood 21 Votes
Equal 5th Daniel Hannebery Sydney 21 Votes
Equal 5th Andrew Gaff West Coast 21 Votes
After Round 11 Luke Parker led with 15 votes from Daniel Hannebery with 14, Patrick Dangerfield with 13 and Lachie Neale with 12. Dangerfield grabbed the lead in Round 12 before swapping with Luke Parker until Round 17 where Dangerfield kept the lead with six rounds to go.
2017
1st Dustin Martin Richmond 36 Votes
2nd Patrick Dangerfield Geelong 33 Votes
3rd Tom Mitchell Hawthorn 25 Votes
4th Josh Kennedy Sydney 23 Votes
5th Lance Franklin Sydney 22 Votes
After Round 11 Dustin Martin led with 17 votes from Rory Sloane, Scott Pendlebury, Patrick Dangerfield on 14 and Josh Kelly with 13. Martin & Sloane swapped the lead in the early rounds before Martin grabbed the lead outright in Round 11 where he held for the rest of the night.
2018
1st Tom Mitchell Hawthorn 28 Votes
2nd Steele Sidebottom Collingwood 24 Votes
3rd Angus Brayshaw Melbourne 21 Votes
Equal 4th Patrick Cripps Carlton 20 Votes
Equal 4th Max Gawn Melbourne 20 Votes
After Round 11 Steele Sidebottom led with 16 votes from Nat Fyfe and Tom Mitchell on 14 and the Rory Laird on 12. Mitchell would grab the lead in Round 15 and then swap again with Sidebottom before taking the lead for good in Round 18 with five rounds to go.
2019
1st Nat Fyfe Fremantle 33 Votes
2nd Patrick Dangerfield Geelong 27 Votes
Equal 3rd Lachie Neale Brisbane 26 Votes
Equal 3rd Patrick Cripps Carlton 26 Votes
5th Tim Kelly Geelong 24 Votes
Nat Fyfe led after 11 with 20 votes, followed by Patrick Cripps and Tim Kelly with 18, Lachie Neale with 16 and Brodie Grundy and Travis Boak with 13. Patrick Cripps grabbed the lead in Round 12 before Fyfe regained the lead in Round 13 where he kept it for the next ten rounds.
2020
1st Lachie Neale Brisbane 31 Votes
2nd Travis Boak Port Adelaide 21 Votes
Equal 3rd Christian Petracca Melbourne 20 Votes
Equal 3rd Jack Steele St Kilda 20 Votes
Equal 5th Patrick Dangerfield Geelong 15 Votes
Equal 5th Dustin Martin Richmond 15 Votes
Equal 5th Luke Parker Sydney 15 Votes
Equal 5th Jack Macrae Western Bulldogs 15 Votes
After Round 11 Lachie Neale led with 20 votes from Travis Boak and Jack Steele with 13 and Jack MacRae on 12 and Christian Petracca with 11. Neale grabbed the lead in Round 4 and polled four best on grounds between Rounds 2-5 and eight Best on grounds before Round 12.
2021
1st Ollie Wines Port Adelaide 36 Votes
2nd Marcus Bontempelli Western Bulldogs 33 Votes
3rd Clayton Oliver Melbourne 31 Votes
4th Sam Walsh Carlton 30 Votes
Equal 5th Darcy Parish Essendon 26 Votes
Equal 5th Jack Steele St Kilda 26 Votes
Surprise Vote getter
Equal 9th Jarryd Lyons Brisbane 23 Votes
After Round 11 Clayton Oliver led with 20 votes from Marcus Bontempelli on 18, Darcy Parish on 17, Sam Walsh on 16, Ollie Wines on 15 and then Travis Boak on 13. With three rounds to go Bontempelli led with 33, Wines 32, Walsh 30, and Oliver 28. Wines Equalled the lead in Round 21 before grabbing the outright lead in Round 22 with one round to go.
2022
1st Patrick Cripps Carlton 29 Votes
2nd Lachie Neale Brisbane 28 Votes
3rd Touk Miller Gold Coast 27 Votes
Equal 4th Andrew Brayshaw Fremantle 25 Votes
Equal 4th Clayton Oliver Melbourne 25 Votes
After Round 11 Lachie Neale led with 19 votes from Patrick Cripps 17, Clayton Oliver 16, Christian Petracca 15, and Andrew Brayshaw on 14. Cripps and Neale would swap the lead a couple of times between Round 12-20 before Cripps grabbed the lead in Round 20 and kept it for the next three rounds.
2023
1st Lachie Neale Brisbane 31 Votes
2nd Marcus Bontempelli Western Bulldogs 29 Votes
3rd Nick Daicos Collingwood 28 Votes
Equal 4th Zak Butters Port Adelaide 27 Votes
Equal 4th Errol Gulden Sydney 27 Votes
After Round 12 Christian Petracca led with 19 votes, Lachie Neale 17, Nick Daicos and Noah Anderson on 16, Zach Merrett on 14, Jordan Dawson 13 and Connor Rozee on 12. Neale would grab the lead in Round 14 and kept it for the last ten rounds.
2024
1st Patrick Cripps Carlton 45 Votes
2nd Nick Daicos Collingwood 38 Votes
3rd Zak Butters Port Adelaide 29 Votes
Equal 4th Caleb Serong Fremantle 28 Votes
Equal 4th Isaac Heeney Sydney 28 Votes
After Round 12 Isaac Heeney led with 21 votes from Patrick Cripps and Chad Warner on 19, Matt Rowell, Tom Green, and Christian Petracca on 16, Nick Daicos on 15 and Adam Treloar on 14 votes. Cripps grabbed the lead in Round 13 and held it for the next 12 rounds.
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Great idea. Excellent squad and group to choose from! Totally subjective comment, but tough that Nicky Winmar couldn’t squeeze in.
Outstanding research, Rodney and you’ve offered some great insights.
Thanks Rick & Peter for your kind words.
I enjoyed the research
Winmar definitely unlucky like all the others