The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

2014 Brownlow Medal winner: It's Matt Priddis

22nd September, 2014
Advertisement
22nd September, 2014
145
3115 Reads

Matt Priddis has secured the 2014 AFL Brownlow Medal with 26 votes in front of Gary Ablett (22), Lance Franklin (22), and to the delight of many, one vote clear of the ineligible Nathan Fyfe (25).

In what was one of the tightest and most thrilling Brownlow counts of recent years, coming down to the final round as Priddis sat three votes clear of potential threats to his outright victory, Patrick Dangerfield (21) and Travis Boak (21).

Franklin, who missed Sydney’s final round match against Richmond, and Ablett, sidelined for the final seven rounds of the season, were no threat to the victory.

More Brownlow 2014:
» Live count and blog of the Brownlow Medal
» Alfred Chan’s prediction for Brownlow 2014
» Complete Brownlow 2014 guide, tips and odds
» Matt White wins 2014 goal of the year award
» Chad Wingard wins 2014 mark of the year award

In the end, a two vote match from Priddis in the final round saw him move past Nathan Fyfe (25) and secure an outright Brownlow Medal victory.

Priddis had the most disposals in the 2014 season, the second most clearances, and third most tackles of all players in the competition, but began the night as a $17 outsider.

His victory sees him become the third Brownlow Medalist from the West Coast Eagles and the first since Ben Cousins in 2005.

As expected, Gary Ablett took the early lead, before his votes came to a screaming halt, sitting out the final seven rounds of the season on 22 votes.

Advertisement

Round 19 saw the ineligible Nathan Fyfe move into top spot, one vote clear of Gary Ablett.

The dark horse, and eventual winner, Pridis, moved into the eligible lead (still behind Fyfe) following Round 20, as Fyfe kept his ineligible lead at 25 votes.

Matt Priddis stats - (Photo: Twitter)
Matt Priddis stats – (Photo: Twitter)

As AFL fans held their breath, Gillon McLachlan read “M. Priddis… 2 votes” during the final round to save Nathan Fyfe from becoming the first ineligible winner since Chris Grant in 1997.

Lance Franklin’s effort of 22 votes leaves him as the highest ever polling Coleman Medalist.

Geelong skipper, Joel Selwood, started the night as favourite, but fell short once again finishing the count with 21 votes.

Sydney’s Josh Kennedy was well placed entering the final rounds, but came to a halt with Selwood, Dangerfield and Boak on 21 votes, a hamstring injury seeing him sit out the final two rounds.

Advertisement

TOP FIVE:
1 – Matt Priddis (26)
2 – Nathan Fyfe* (25)
3 – Gary Ablett, Lance Franklin (22)
5 – Travis Boak, Patrick Dangerfield, Josh Kennedy, Joel Selwood (21)

close