Brownlow Medal 2024

[angelopetraglia]

Who is everyone's tip for the Brownlow Medal tonight?

Cripps
Daicos
Neale
Bont
Merrett
Serong
Gulden
Green
Butters
Treloar
Warner



Which Bulldog Brownlow Medalist gave you the most joy over the years?


1930 Allan Hopkins
1941 Norman Ware
1956 Peter Box
1960 John Schultz
1975 Gary Dempsey
1980 Kelvin Templeton
1985 Brad Hardie
1990 Tony Liberatore
1992 Scott Wynd
2008 Adam Cooney



Which Bulldog Bronwlow Medalists runner up caused the most pain over the years?

Chris Grant 1996
Chris Grant 1997
Scott West 2000
Scott West 2006
Bont 2021
Bont 2023
Other?

[Grantysghost]

Cripps I think. He polls well and had a sublime run there for a lot of games.

Not many to steal from him either. Walsh had a down year, Cerra maybe but I think the bulk will go to him.

Bont won't get close this year.

I'd go :

Cripps
Daicos
Neale.

[bornadog]

They all love Daicos and want him to get over the line

[angelopetraglia]

Who wins? I think Cripps will win. He has a lot of dominant three vote type of games and doesn't have a lot of competition this year.

Most joy? I was not allowed to stay up to watch the 1985 count, but I listened to it lying in my bed in the dark on my clock radio and it was an enthralling count between our long sleeved ginger Brad Hardie and Harry Madden. Great memories as a kid in a completely different era.

Most pain? Definitely Chris Grant in 1997, polling the most votes and robbed by Ian Collins. Also in 1996, Chis Grant losing by one vote where James Hird got three and he got two in the last game and we lost by three points. If Mecuri kicks a point we win and Chris Grant would have won the Brownlow that year. It still bugs me to this day that Chris Grant was not AA that year and Paul Roos was selected in front of him.

[bornadog]

Who Wins: Umpires caught up in Daicos frenzy

Most Joy: Templeton - first forward to ever win the Brownlow

Most Pain: Chris Grant - Umpires didn't report him and Collins had no right to.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Cripps is a gun but it would irk me a little if he had 2 Brownlows and Bont had 0. For no other reason that they were/are often compared. Cripps is a great guy and player.

I do think he's probably more consistent though, Bont seems to trail off every year and it costs him.

[GVGjr]

Who Wins Probably Daicos but Neale wouldn't surprise.
Most Joy Liberatore
Most Pain None that really spring to mind. Perhaps Dangerfield.

[Doc26]

Like many, Cripps as few taking votes from him, Daicos for a similar reason, and Neale. Of course, would love Bont to get up but not even sure he was our most consistent and best performer across the year.
Heeney leading at the half way mark, but if not Marcus, then Cripps is who I will be cheering on.

[josie]

I thought Treloar was consistently better than Bont this year. Also Bailey Dale was outstanding in a few of our wins later in year. Don?t think Bont will win it but would be a delight if he did given his two recent runner ups.

[Grantysghost]

I thought Treloar was consistently better than Bont this year. Also Bailey Dale was outstanding in a few of our wins later in year. Don?t think Bont will win it but would be a delight if he did given his two recent runner ups.
Agree Josie. I think Treloar will win the B and F.

[angelopetraglia]

Agree Josie. I think Treloar will win the B and F.

Missing a game when Bont played every game will be costly.

[mighty_west]

I think Neale will win, he can have 10 possies and still get 3 votes with Cripps 2nd.

Most joy, Brad Hardie closely followed by Templeton, was so happy went out and bought the 7" Mike Brady version Sons Of The Scray with Templeton's count on the B-Side, actually 2 copies.

Chris Grant, heartbreaking stuff.

[jazzadogs]

Agree Josie. I think Treloar will win the B and F.

I think Bont will poll better in the Brownlow, but Treloar will win the b&f due to his consistency in our losses.

[Happy Days]

I don’t think Bont should win but can’t shake the thought that the AFL will manufacture him a Brownlow like the Academy did with Oscars for Paul Newman and DiCaprio. It is the entertainment business after all.

[Sedat]

I don?t think Bont should win but can?t shake the thought that the AFL will manufacture him a Brownlow like the Academy did with Oscars for Paul Newman and DiCaprio. It is the entertainment business after all.
I suspect the incessant media fapping over Daicos will overcome everything and everyone this year - he will be getting some 3's tonight for otherwise nondescript performances

[Grantysghost]

Missing a game when Bont played every game will be costly.
He played every game, he did get subbed youre right there. Might be costly.

[angelopetraglia]

He played every game, he did get subbed youre right there. Might be costly.

Treloar did not play in Round 18. He didn't play against Carlton.

[Grantysghost]

Treloar did not play in Round 18. He didn't play against Carlton.
Quite right!

I didn't realise there were 24 games now crikey. And only 9 at Marvel. Why do I pay a fortune for a membership again?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Am I the only one who thinks the Bont could win only because he probably shouldn't win this year? That's normally how the umpires award works.

[jeemak]

Neale or Cripps for mine. And then the media will have double page spreads on how unlucky Daicos was.

[angelopetraglia]

Am I the only one who thinks the Bont could win only because he probably shouldn't win this year? That's normally how the umpires award works.

I think there is a big chance he will poll in games where people didn't have him in the best few on the ground. The umpires love him and there must be some inner bias that Neale beat him last year and Wines beat him in 2021.

I think we will know the trend early. If he can poll in games where he kicked goals but didn't feature in the coaches votes he will be a big chance. There are number of those games.

[Eastdog]

Reckon it will be out of Daicos and Cripps.

[Grantysghost]

Quite right!

I didn't realise there were 24 games now crikey. And only 9 at Marvel. Why do I pay a fortune for a membership again?
OK, afl tables has calculated things wrong with round 0 I think. There are 23 games and Treloar played 22.

[Go_Dogs]

Unfortunately Bont won’t get near it this year. He’ll still be top 5 but probably 8-10 votes back from the leading pack.

Neale is my tip, because he absolutely deserves to be a decorated 3 time Brownlow winner while Bont has none.

Diacos time will come. Don’t think he had as big an impact this year.

The Big Crippa a strong chance too.

JHF my dark horse for top 3.

[EasternWest]

Tom Morris is an actual midget. The incel angle makes more sense now.

[Grantysghost]

Tom Morris is an actual midget. The incel angle makes more sense now.
....

Is Midget PC?

[Pleather Sole]

Agree Josie. I think Treloar will win the B and F.

Likewises.
Wouldn't be surprised if Treloar places higher than 10th. So consistent.
Would be stoked if Bont won but its an esoteric pseudo science trying to predict what the umps perceive.

[EasternWest]

....

Is Midget PC?

It's literally a dictionary definition of something that is very small, and that applies to Tom Morris physically, intellectually and emotionally.

I stand by it.

[Grantysghost]

It's literally a dictionary definition of something that is very small, and that applies to Tom Morris physically, intellectually and emotionally.

I stand by it.

I just remember on Seinfeld it wasn't cool :)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFSjpPMmn0Ahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFSjpPMmn0A

[HOSE B ROMERO]

I think Neale will win, he can have 10 possies and still get 3 votes with Cripps 2nd.

Most joy, Brad Hardie closely followed by Templeton, was so happy went out and bought the 7" Mike Brady version Sons Of The Scray with Templeton's count on the B-Side, actually 2 copies.

Chris Grant, heartbreaking stuff.

Interesting. I might have to track down a copy.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

If Bont doesn't win i hope he doesn't finish second. The media carry on would be too much.

Still pissed off i missed the Dempsey win. My neighbour took me rabbit shooting.

Libba was probably my favourite.

And the Grant 1997 stitch up the most disappointing.

[bornadog]

Cody with Mum

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYJb0OCbQAAOaZY?format=jpg&name=large

[angelopetraglia]

Bont versus suns.

32 touches. Two goals. Most disposals on the ground.

Zero votes.

Sanders 22 touches. No goals. Votes.

[angelopetraglia]

Libba versu suns.

20 touches. Three votes.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Rylee Sanders with a vote

[angelopetraglia]

Rylee Sanders with a vote

22 touches. Zero goals. Gets a vote. Bont 32 and two goals for zero.

You can?t take this vote seriously.

[angelopetraglia]

Pat Cripps. 13 kicks in two games for five Brownlow votes :)

[Mantis]

Pat Cripps. 13 kicks in two games for five Brownlow votes :)

He is that far up the umpires asses that he needs a snorkel.

The award has no credibility.

[Rocket Science]

Fascinated to see if Fyfe garners another vote for the remainder of the season.

That f**ken game man.

[whythelongface]

He is that far up the umpires asses that he needs a snorkel.

The award has no credibility.

If Bont doesn?t get it (looking unlikely) would prefer Cripps than the other contenders

But you are right the award is a joke.

[jeemak]

He is that far up the umpires asses that he needs a snorkel.

The award has no credibility.

His nickname should be boots.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Disgraceful blonde prejudice.
Blonde bias, open your eyes jumps!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

The award lost all credibility a while ago.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Angelopetraglia, the above, leftie:)

[bornadog]

The award lost all credibility a while ago.
That's because the umpires don't have credibility

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Harley Reid, Cooney?.

[Sedat]

Bont no votes against Geelong in Gather Round. Wow.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Bont versus suns.

32 touches. Two goals. Most disposals on the ground.

Zero votes.

Sanders 22 touches. No goals. Votes.

You can only laugh at this point. The umpires award should never have had credibility to begin with and it should only add to Bonts knowledge of how he doesn't need such a farcical award for any self worth amongst the standing of the games greats.

[angelopetraglia]

You can only laugh at this point. The umpires award should never have had credibility to begin with and it should only add to Bonts knowledge of how he doesn't need such a farcical award for any self worth amongst the standing of the games greats.

Bont also got the perfect 10 coaches votes in that game against the Suns. How can you take the vote seriously?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Bont also got the perfect 10 coaches votes in that game against the Suns. How can you take the vote seriously?

Only nuffies like Hamish McLachlan take it seriously.

[Sedat]

Chompers kick-starting our season

[chef]

Why do people still watch this?

[bornadog]

Treloar 41 disposals and a goal v Richmond and gets 2 votes

[Rocket Science]

Pouring one out for any non-midfielder who can crack the eventual top fifty.

[bornadog]

Bailey Dale versus Saints.


39 touches. 29 kicks. One goal. 867m gained. 13 intercepts. 9 score involvements.


Zero Brownlow Votes

[Go_Dogs]

Hey guys. You know the Brownlow is nonsensical right? Don’t try to logic it. You won’t win.

[Eastdog]

What we all expected from the Brownlow. I’m not shocked.

[Sedat]

Even the Jim Stynes Medal is rigged - how was Bailey Smith overlooked for his work getting teenagers pissed and also mass producing cheap fast fashion landfill

[EasternWest]

Even the Jim Stynes Medal is rigged - how was Bailey Smith overlooked for his work getting teenagers pissed and also mass producing cheap fast fashion landfill

I know ye jest but I've never heard O'Brien speak before what a quality dude.

[angelopetraglia]

I know ye jest but I've never heard O'Brien speak before what a quality dude.

Agree with both those statements!!!!!

[SonofScray]

Brownlow voting system is dead, time to replace the Brownlow with the MVP .

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Yes Brownlow went downhill after John Schultz won it, a worthy winner.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

And the great Kelvin Templeton from CHF.

[Sedat]

I know ye jest but I've never heard O'Brien speak before what a quality dude.
And he can actually ruck as well

[Sedat]

Daicos got a farken vote on Kings Birthday after 15 possessions and being subbed off.

[Grantysghost]

Matt Rowell has 16 votes, Jesse Hogan 5.

Nobody takes this seriously.

[jeemak]

Has Brayshaw finished yet? I started a load of washing when he came on stage and want to know if I still have time to hang it up.

[whythelongface]

Has Brayshaw finished yet? I started a load of washing when he came on stage and want to know if I still have time to hang it up.

Ha. My son said it was like being at a funeral listening to Brayshaw.

[angelopetraglia]

Cripps is a star. No doubt.

But he has not had the best AFL season in history. What is going on?

[EasternWest]

And he can actually ruck as well

Ruck, please? That position doesn't matter.

Imagine getting 38 Brownlow votes and not winning it.

[angelopetraglia]

Imagine!!! You poll more votes than anyone else in 100 seasons and you lose the Brownlow medal.

[hujsh]

Imagine!!! You poll more votes than anyone else in 100 seasons and you lose the Brownlow medal.
1 minute in I think I see Daicos

https://youtu.be/fRjmlEolOD0?t=59

[Happy Days]

I know ye jest but I've never heard O'Brien speak before what a quality dude.

Hmmmm let?s just say he?s lucky twitter likes are private.

[jazzadogs]

Ha. My son said it was like being at a funeral listening to Brayshaw.

A lot of me time. I'm surprised he didn't have his helmet hanging at the door for everyone to touch on their way in to the ballroom.

It was a strange choice to give him that moment, but shows the reach that the Brayshaw family has in the AFL.

[EasternWest]

Hmmmm let?s just say he?s lucky twitter likes are private.

I don't know what this means but as it has a whiff of damaging my newfound affection for him I'll pretend it didn't happen.

[G-Mo77]

What an embarrassing count for the AFL. I guess it's what to expect from our umpires though. Our game is in the worst state it's ever been, it's umpiring is the worst it has ever been and the leaders if this game are the worst they have ever been. This count is a reflection of that.

[Boots]

His nickname should be boots.

huh?

🤣

[jazzadogs]

They should swap the Brownlow and Coaches Award. Release the Brownlow votes each weekend, and have a round by round count of the coaches award which will actually see a range of positions recognised. Will still be won by a midfielder...

45 and 38 votes is a joke.

[Mantis]

First time since I was about 5 that I didn't watch a second of the count.

The lob-sided nature of the vote count saved me from losing my mind... what an embarrassing situation for the AFL.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

First time since I was about 5 that I didn't watch a second of the count.

The lob-sided nature of the vote count saved me from losing my mind... what an embarrassing situation for the AFL.

I watched 1 round but otherwise, exactly the same, It's the first count I've not watched.

The AFL are too far up their own ass to read the room and recognise the Brownlow Medal is now more of a comedy skit than anything else.

[Happy Days]

I don't know what this means but as it has a whiff of damaging my newfound affection for him I'll pretend it didn't happen.

He?s a big lobster boy guy. Maybe even bigger than Tom McDonald and his unironic all meat diet.

[EasternWest]

He?s a big lobster boy guy. Maybe even bigger than Tom McDonald and his unironic all meat diet.

Damn. I'm.out.

[Go_Dogs]

First time since I was about 5 that I didn't watch a second of the count.

The lob-sided nature of the vote count saved me from losing my mind... what an embarrassing situation for the AFL.

Yep. Didn’t watch a second of it. Posted on here during the count and then only actually looked at the results this morning.

Every group chat I’m in has basically panned it. Seems
Pretty universal across the board that folks think it’s a joke.

[chef]

It's just a fluff night, don't know why anyone bothers to watch it or get upset about it.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

What an embarrassing count for the AFL. I guess it's what to expect from our umpires though. Our game is in the worst state it's ever been, it's umpiring is the worst it has ever been and the leaders if this game are the worst they have ever been. This count is a reflection of that.

I don't know. I think the brownlow night sums up the current state of the AFL very well.

[GVGjr]

First time since I was about 5 that I didn't watch a second of the count.

The lob-sided nature of the vote count saved me from losing my mind... what an embarrassing situation for the AFL.

I haven't watch a Brownlow medal count in any serious way for a few years now and like you I didn't watch a minute of it last night. Most times it's just a few minutes here and there that I've viewed before I lose interest. I hated they way Gil would call players names who were in contention to try and manufacture more excitement. Then there is the issue with the way some players seem to get more votes than they really should.

[mjp]

I haven't watch a Brownlow medal count in any serious way for a few years now and like you I didn't watch a minute of it last night.

Same.

I'm not interested in individual awards and I'm REALLY not interested in the umpires interpretation of who the best players are.

I'm obviously pleased for Cripps but that's where it starts and ends for me.

[Sedat]

Bont polling lower than expected is actually a really good thing - clearly there was less reliance on him to shoot the lights out for us this year, and we got a far more even spread of contributors throughout the season. The "Bont or bust" years of 2021-2023 are thankfully behind us - they are obviously not behind Carlton, who are in a world of hurt until Cripps gets some proper help from the next tier. Ditto Collingwood with Daicos (unfortunately those pricks pinched one last year).

Bont's seasons in 2021 and 2023 were individually far better than 2024 IMO.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Same.

I'm not interested in individual awards and I'm REALLY not interested in the umpires interpretation of who the best players are.I'm obviously pleased for Cripps but that's where it starts and ends for me.

It's just weird how the umpires opinions are viewed as the greatest. The whole thing is just weird and has been normalised for so long in the afl space that they don't realise how weird it would appear to outsiders. I kind of liken it to the guns situation in the USA. They don't realise how much they've normalised something so senseless.

[SonofScray]

Bont polling lower than expected is actually a really good thing - clearly there was less reliance on him to shoot the lights out for us this year, and we got a for more even spread of contributors throughout the season. The "Bont or bust" years of 2021-2023 are thankfully behind us - they are obviously not behind Carlton, who are in a world of hurt until Cripps gets some proper help from the next tier. Ditto Collingwood with Daicos (unfortunately those pricks pinched one last year).

Bont's seasons in 2021 and 2023 were individually far better than 2024 IMO.

Absolutely.

Just wild to me how in those seasons, and even last year he's found himself on the wrong side of assessments from the umpires for games he clearly was BOG, or thereabouts.

This year the outcome isn't the concern, but it has exposed the process further.

[azabob]

Bont polling lower than expected is actually a really good thing - clearly there was less reliance on him to shoot the lights out for us this year, and we got a for more even spread of contributors throughout the season. The "Bont or bust" years of 2021-2023 are thankfully behind us - they are obviously not behind Carlton, who are in a world of hurt until Cripps gets some proper help from the next tier. Ditto Collingwood with Daicos (unfortunately those pricks pinched one last year).

Bont's seasons in 2021 and 2023 were individually far better than 2024 IMO.

Is Sedat low key the biggest optimist on this board?

[Boots]

I don’t watch it but I care a bit too much that Bont wins one one year. Sadly I fear he was closest in 2021.

[hujsh]

Richards with 6 votes. Expect that to change next year now that the umps know he's meant to be a good midfielder

[Sedat]

Is Sedat low key the biggest optimist on this board?
The QF debacle shook my optimism a bit, but I can definitely see what we were doing as a collective coaching group in 2024 (both tactically and personnel wise) to better adapt to the pace/ball movement expectations of today's footy compared to the antiquated "stoppage/territory domination or die" rubbish that we dished up in 2022-23.

My optimism doesn't quite extend to our ruck set-up.

[DOG GOD]

I watched it til round 3 when Bont had 32 disposals etc and got 0 votes, so turned it off. I could see Cripps winning from there. Didn’t expect it that easily ofcourse, but I guess when the umpires give you a total of 14 votes in your last 7 games, when your team wins 2 of those games, then that says a lot of the system. And jai Newcombe gets more votes than Bont. Geez.
I haven’t watched a full count for 5-6 years.

[Hotdog60]

First time this year that I have totally not watched it. Last year was the last straw.

[Flamethrower]

It is not a coincidence that the year that produced the most controversial Brownlow count in history coincided with the year that umpiring standards hit an all-time low.

[Axe Man]

Why not let them look at the stats? Everyone else does when deciding votes and best players and it may help eliminate the howlers.

AFL umpires denied access to stats before deciding on Brownlow Medal votes
(https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-umpires-denied-access-to-stats-before-deciding-on-brownlow-medal-votes/news-story/858271e233e70357992361b95fed8bc1)
AFL umpires have had their pleas to see statistics before deciding on Brownlow Medal votes denied in the last two years, it can be revealed. JON RALPH has full details.

A delegation of senior AFL umpires have been refused access to Champion Data statistics to help them with Brownlow Medal voting despite making a direct plea to the AFL in the past two seasons.

Senior umpiring sources confirmed that the umpiring group?s leadership department have been rebuffed in the past two years despite asking to have those stats as part of their decision-making process.

The AFL umpires are adamant that they continue to nail the worthy winner of the AFL?s most prestigious individual award.

Their decision making is in line with many of the AFL?s biggest awards including the AFL MVP, AFL Coaches Awards and many of the AFL?s media awards, which are also midfielder-focused.

But increasingly with wider access to statistics and a focus on scrutinising individual votes the umpires have been pilloried for what are considered glaring mistakes by the fan base.

AFL Umpires Association boss Rob Kerr confirmed on Tuesday night there were some umpires keen to access stats, while others were less emphatic.

?Some want stats, some are a bit ambivalent. My view is there is a middle ground to be found,? he said.

?The accusation would be that (the voting) becomes driven by stats but if we let the umpires pick the best five players and then they had a look at the stats on those five players to make sure the stats confirm or challenge what they have seen, and they can adjust from there.

?There was a discussion about it 12 or 18 months ago, and probably in the end the AFL said we would rather not (use stats).?

Collingwood?s Josh Daicos didn?t poll a vote despite 34 touches in round 13, while brother Nick Daicos won a single vote despite only 15 disposals and 64 ranking points.

Harrison Petty also was awarded three votes for a 13-possession one-goal tally.

There were 17 instances where a player polled three Brownlow Medal votes but received no votes from the AFL Coaches in their own award, won by Nick Daicos.

While Carlton?s Patrick Cripps was a worthy winner of the award his 45-vote tally was an eye-opener given it was triple the tally of 1986 joint winners Robert Dipierdomenico and Greg Williams.

Recently retired AFL umpire Shane McInerney told the Herald Sun he was increasingly in favour of stats for umpires.

?The umpires do a great job but Brownlow night exposes some anomalies and takes away the focus from what was a great achievement by Patrick Cripps. The umpires would like some support and the next question is what the support is. There has been commentary in the past where umpires might have used devices (phones) at their disposal to sort through that stuff (access stats) and the AFL made sure those aids aren?t available.

?So umpires are the right group to be awarding those votes and it doesn?t need to be paralysis by analysis but some basic info would help. Get rid of the howlers. They do need some support.?

Cripps finished 26 votes ahead of the brilliant Marcus Bontempelli and polled more votes combined that bottom-three clubs West Coast, Richmond and North Melbourne.

The umpires would like stats to assist their vote polling rather than govern it, believing that after they assess about five players it would help them rule out howlers.

AFL football boss Laura Kane said early this year she was not in favour of giving statistics to umpires because she did not want a Champion Data award.

She instead believes in backing in the umpires in a unique award which she believes has stood the test of time.

But at that stage it was not known the AFL umpiring group had actually requested they be handed statistics.

The advent of the four-umpire system also means all four umpires are being used, when an emergency umpire was once able to make a Judgement on the best players in the game while watching on.

AFL umpires are told they are unable to access their phones in any way to access stats post-match after a crackdown on Brownlow Medal integrity.

The AFL is also unwilling to consider a change to the eligibility criteria for suspended players despite Isaac Heeney roaring to a five-vote lead as he polled a record 21 votes after round 10 before fading from calculations.

The league confirmed on Monday there was no consideration being given to a year-ending review of Brownlow eligibility or Rising Star eligibility despite star contenders Harley Reid and Sam Darcy missing out on the award judging the game?s best young talent after suspensions.

Heeney was suspended for a week for a strike on Jimmy Webster using an MRO rule change that had come in for the first time this year in the 100-year history of the Brownlow Medal.

At every other time in the history of the game he would have been eligible to win the Brownlow Medal because he would have been fined rather than suspended for his accidental strike to Webster?s face.

[bornadog]

Why not let them look at the stats? Everyone else does when deciding votes and best players and it may help eliminate the howlers.

.

If we are going to stick with tradition, ie umpires award, I would even let them watch the replay before putting in the votes.

[Happy Days]

I don’t think the problem is that they’re looking at stats, I think the problem is they don’t put any thought into their votes and just default to giving them to 1 or 2 guys every week regardless of performance. This vote count had the least players getting votes in nearly 40 years.

[Sedat]

I don’t think the problem is that they’re looking at stats, I think the problem is they don’t put any thought into their votes and just default to giving them to 1 or 2 guys every week regardless of performance. This vote count had the least players getting votes in nearly 40 years.
100% this. All the media fapping over the stars has resulted in every award now being condensed to the absolute topliner mids only. It's only to be expected that the umpires follow suit.

[josie]

If we are going to stick with tradition, ie umpires award, I would even let them watch the replay before putting in the votes.

I think that?s more important than stats. Mids obtain way too many votes IMO. Influence on games often clearer after watching a replay.

[ledge]

Why wouldn’t umpires be allowed to look at stats ? Thats just insane . Umpires need as much info as possible.
Brownlow has been a joke for years , I haven’t watched it for 20 years. How can they say they don’t know who will win it when the minute they call a name for votes his highlights are up for that game 2 seconds later?
It’s a rubbish award to keep the AFL relevant.
Just read out the votes , this red carpet stuff and wags is just irrelevant.
Give me the players awards over this any day of the week. They know they actually play against these players and understand who was best at their job on the day.
Even coaches votes are a better guide.

[GVGjr]

Why wouldn’t umpires be allowed to look at stats ? Thats just insane . Umpires need as much info as possible.
Brownlow has been a joke for years , I haven’t watched it for 20 years. How can they say they don’t know who will win it when the minute they call a name for votes his highlights are up for that game 2 seconds later?


I disagree with umpires looking at stats after a game, it will just create a level of laziness and provide them with the ability to make the safer call. The award is what it is.

[Axe Man]

I disagree with umpires looking at stats after a game, it will just create a level of laziness and provide them with the ability to make the safer call. The award is what it is.

One proposal I read was they could shortlist the top 5 players as they saw it and then look at the stats to confirm their impressions, rather than looking at the stats first.

I only see this as a positive to hopefully eliminate some of the anomalies. I sometimes struggle to identify the best players sitting in the stands watching, no idea how the umpires manage it when they are rightfully concentrating on making correct decisions.

[GVGjr]

One proposal I read was they could shortlist the top 5 players as they saw it and then look at the stats to confirm their impressions, rather than looking at the stats first.

I only see this as a positive to hopefully eliminate some of the anomalies. I sometimes struggle to identify the best players sitting in the stands watching, no idea how the umpires manage it when they are rightfully concentrating on making correct decisions.

Good call but looking at stats to determine a players impact in a game isn't necessarily the right thing either.
I'm not that interested in how it all pans out but providing stats will only draw the umpires votes in line with the media and does that solve anything?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Good call but looking at stats to determine a players impact in a game isn't necessarily the right thing either.
I'm not that interested in how it all pans out but providing stats will only draw the umpires votes in line with the media and does that solve anything?

I think your insight here is important.

I think perhaps rather than try to change the Brownlow...why doesn't the football industry and public move on, and by that I mean, let's accept it for what it is, an umpire's award, that is absolutely flawed (as many other awards are), but only if we continue to put it on a pedestal as the barometer for who is the year's best and fairest in the comp.


We have a heap of other awards out there already that measure who is the best for the year, from other angles, the coaches award, the players MVP, the many media award, All Australian....

Personally as a kid I loved the Brownlow...but I reckon about 10-15 years ago it started to have less and less appeal to me, to where I haven't watched a second of a count for maybe 4 or 5 years now.. and even then it was only a fleeting glance.


For me I quite like the coaches awards and the players MVP. Maybe the player MVP one's should be made secret ballots during the season and is turned into the Top Tier player award event evening for the year and over time the Brownlow occupies a different and perhaps relegated status amongst the awards going forward.

The mystery of the brownlow used to be the allure for me. It's no longer there. Betting and media scrutiny has altered the dynamic and more and more the main contenders are foregone conclusions.

[jeemak]

Possibly the Brownlow just becomes another award on a consolidated awards night. People can pick and choose which one they feel is the most important to them.

As a viewing product it's utter gobshite. You can still have your red carpets and all that jazz.

[azabob]

Even coaches votes are a better guide.

Out of interest Ledge did you actually compare the top vote getters from the coaches votes and the brownlow?