BREAKING: In a shocking turn of events, Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell has won the 2023 Brownlow Medal, defeating pre-tournament favorite Nick Daicos with a stunning total of 39 votes. This victory marks a significant upset as Rowell surged ahead after accumulating 20 votes in the first 11 rounds.
Rowell’s triumph comes as a monumental achievement for the Gold Coast Suns, making him the franchise’s second Brownlow winner, following Gary Ablett Jnr in 2013. The 24-year-old’s impressive performance has captivated fans and analysts alike, especially as he outpaced Daicos, who settled for 32 votes in second place.
The Brownlow Medal ceremony, held on September 25, 2023, showcased a competitive field with Bailey Smith from Geelong and Jordan Dawson from Adelaide rounding out the top four. Rowell’s win highlights his incredible season, following last year’s record setting by Carlton’s Patrick Cripps, who won with 45 votes.
Amidst the excitement, the count revealed one of the most unusual polling occurrences in Brownlow history. Jack Viney of Melbourne received three votes for a performance that saw him overshadow Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of St Kilda, despite the latter’s standout display that helped secure a victory for the Saints in round 20.
In another highlight of the evening, Geelong’s captain Patrick Dangerfield surpassed Gary Ablett Jnr to set a new record for the most three-vote games in Brownlow history, demonstrating the depth of talent in the league this season.
Additionally, Murphy Reid of Fremantle received the Rising Star award, becoming the fourth player from the Dockers to achieve this honor. Reid’s rookie season included a breathtaking debut game where he scored four goals in a single quarter, finishing the season with 25 goals and 48 votes, outpacing Dan Curtin from Adelaide and Levi Ashcroft from Brisbane, who earned 35 and 26 votes respectively.
This year’s Brownlow Medal has not only highlighted individual brilliance but also underscored the fierce competition within the Australian Football League. With Rowell’s victory sending shockwaves through the sporting community, fans are left eager to see how the upcoming seasons will unfold.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the fallout from this year’s awards continues to develop.
