The raging favourite Dustin Martin was the winner of the 2017 Brownlow Medal, and he broke a couple of records in the process.
More from the 2017 Brownlow Medal
» Red carpet fashion ratings
» Full leaderboard
» Every vote round-by-round
» Most votes club-by-club
» Goal of the year
» Mark of the year
Martin entered the night as the shortest-priced favourite in history at just $1.03 to take the medal home, and he didn’t disappoint.
The count had little in the way of twists and turns other than the looming threat of the ineligible Patrick Dangerfield possibly finishing ahead of Martin.
However a three-vote performance in Round 23 separated Martin from the rest and gave him a total of 36 votes for the night, ahead of Dangerfield’s 33.
36 votes is the record for the most votes by a player in a calendar year under this voting system, Martin beating out Dangerfield who set the record himself with 35 last year.
Martin also recorded three votes on eleven occasions, the most by any player in a single year in history.
The best previously was nine, achieved by Greg Williams (1994), Nat Fyfe (2015) and Patrick Dangerfield (2016).
Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell was, as widely predicted, the closest challenger of the eligible players, finishing with 25 votes, still 11 short of Martin in first place.
Josh P Kennedy (23), Lance Franklin (22) and Josh Kelly (21) rounded out the top five.
Ollie Wines (eighth – 18 votes) and Dayne Beams (ninth – 17 votes) were notable inclusions inside the top ten, and certainly potential contenders for the medal in the next few years.
Of the one-vote-wonders, Irishman Conor McKenna and athletics convert Mark Blicavs both deserve a nod for polling despite not growing up in the game.
Daniel Rioli won goal of the year for his excellent effort from the boundary against West Coast in Round 3, beating out Lance Franklin and Eddie Betts in a good night for the Richmond Football Club.
Joe Daniher was the surprise winner of mark of the year, with Eddie McGuire no doubt already drafting a petition for a parliamentary investigation into how Jeremy Howe didn’t win it.
Jack Hombsch won the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award after being nominated for the second year in a row. Kirby Bentley, Jordan Roughead and Nick Riewoldt were the other nominees.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I second the call for Gerard
Debby evans
Guest
I thought Bruce was insulting during Dusty's interview asking so many silly questions.. Did he ask Patrick Dangerfield questions about his dad last year? Dusty did well not to roll his eyes!!
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
https://streamable.com/wd95m Just thought I'd share something which I believe was more entertaining than the actual broadcast. Someone give this guy a job at 7Sport!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Pocket billiards action I suspect.
asd
Guest
Bruce strange with his hands
asd
Guest
Danger still the better player
asd
Guest
Bruce is odd on TV .They don't tackle Martin grab the fend off arm and throw him down .Scared of him.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Gerard Whateley. He's a pro and would have dealt with it very differently. Excellent host. Once again, congrats to Dusty. Been an absolute joy watching him this year. Special mention to my warrior Dangerfield. What a feeling it must have been awarding Dusty with his Brownlow - the only other man of his equal. 30+ votes again ... that's just ridiculous. Amazing players with the highest respect for each other.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Couldn't agree more in terms of Dusty. Absolute legend. Who would you want in place of Bruce? We don't have much depth in terms of the commentator stakes!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Bruce needs to hang up the boots. He's lost the touch of recognising 'the moment'. Someone with more character needed to lighten things up and keep it short. Great effort by Dusty - he represents both himself and club very well, despite being a man of few words.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Ah, so I wasn't the only one infuriated with Bruce during that? "Just a few quick questions!" turned into like 37 questions including verging into dangerous territory surrounding Dusty's dad. I usually like Bruce, but I'm not sure he realised how seemingly uncomfortable Martin was.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Congrats Dusty. Felt like slapping Bruce with a tuna during his Spanish Inquisition though. Dusty should have given him a 'Don't Argue' to the face! Good luck this week in the granny.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Well done Dustin!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Last round......two votes should get it done for Dusty.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I hope he gets clear of Dangerfield in the last couple of rounds. He deserves it. The best player all season. It would be something of a hollow victory.