Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale has claimed his second Brownlow Medal, winning the 2023 award after a thrilling count.
Neale, who also won the medal in 2020, was a shock outsider, but polled strongly all night, with a three-vote performance in the Lions’ final-round win over St Kilda getting him over the line with 31 votes.
For the second time in three seasons, Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli finished second with 29 votes, while Nick Daicos’ late-season knee injury arguably cost him a remarkable win in his second season, finishing on 28, equal-third with Melbourne star Christian Petracca.
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Daicos, though, will have the chance to get revenge on Neale when his Collingwood take on the Lions in Saturday’s grand final.
So unexpected was Neale’s win that he becomes just the fourth winner, along with Melbourne’s Shane Woewodin (2000), West Coast’s Matt Priddis (2014) and Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell (2012), to fail to make that year’s All-Australian team.
Neale’s disposals-per-game average of 26.92 is also, remarkably, his lowest since 2014, excluding the shortened-quarters 2020 season – in which he still averaged 26.89 a match. Coincidentally, the two years mark his two Brownlow wins.
“I’m sure it will sink in at a later date. I’m pretty rattled to be honest,” a shocked Neale said after accepting the medal.
“I did not expect this, and to be amongst some of those names that have won two is unbelievable.”
Neale joins former Fremantle teammate Nat Fyfe in rare air with a second Brownlow win, becoming just the 16th multiple victor in the award’s 99-year history – though Dick Reynolds, Haydn Bunton Sr, Bob Skilton and Ian Stewart still hold the outright record for most wins with three apiece.
“It doesn’t sit well,” Neale said of joining the prestigious group.
Neale’s win wasn’t without controversy, with a three-vote effort in the Lions’ Round 6 win over GWS coming as a major surprise.
The 30-year old mustered just 20 disposals at Manuka Oval, well behind Giants pair Josh Kelly (41) and Stephen Coniglio (38), while Lions teammate Charlie Cameron kicked seven goals but only received two votes.
The Giants’ social media took to X expressing their shock – and they were far from alone.
Neale’s win concluded a thrilling count that reached the final round with five players – Daicos, Neale, Petracca, Bontempelli and Errol Gulden – all in contention for at least a share of the award.
Gulden’s hopes were dashed with a one-vote effort in the Swans’ loss to Melbourne, despite 42 disposals and two goals, that left him with 27 votes – one shy of Daicos (28), who missed the final three rounds with a fractued knee.
Petracca failed to poll in the last two rounds to leave him one back on 26 – leapfrogged by Port Adelaide gun Zak Butters’ three-vote effort to fall outside the top five – while Bontempelli had the chance to claim his first Brownlow when he leapfrogged the Magpies gun to 29 votes with a best-afield effort in the Dogs’ win over Geelong.
However, with the final vote of the night, Neale’s three votes for a 30-disposal, best-afield effort against the Saints saw him jump to 31, having headed into the final round tied at the top with Daicos.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Pretty good player though. Saw film of him playing on Motley and he made Dipper look like a VFL VFA player. All he could was try to keep up and whack him from behind
Abbotsford
Roar Rookie
One of our former Magpie cheer squad leaders at the railway end who became a Hawks legend? Robert Dipierdomenico?
Abbotsford
Roar Rookie
Graham Wright second in the Brownlow. Daicos third in the Brownlow. The team has to do the rest, now.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
1990 sticks out for me,too. Eagles played Brisbane and Geelong away to finish third, then the Pies twice at Waverley,despite finishing above them, then Melbourne,at Waverley, then the Pies again. Six weeks in a row away. If there was ever an asterisk over a flag....
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
was it a thrilling count? I was watching you tube clips of the NFL games.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more Pete. He is more than a worthy winner of what has become a midfielders medal. The media (and that includes the Roar) are as guilty as umpires of pumping the stars. I saw a player for North Melbourne (Armstrong) play an outstanding faultless game one night but when I picked up the paper the next day it was all the usual names and suspects. Since 1980 there have been less deserving "are you joking' medallists. I can pick 5 what about you? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brownlow_Medal_winners
nics
Roar Rookie
Neale is definitely worth the pick 6 the Lions gave to Freo as part of that trade. IIRC that pick 6 ended up being a pretty handy player too this season.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I think people just don't know about Neale's season because he plays for Brisbane. He nailed it. The most clearances in the whole AFL this season. That beats the pants off some getting outside possessions at half back and easy kick in possessions. Bont and Gulden didn't win enough games, Trac went missing in too many games and Butters shared his votes with JHF and Rozee.
Abbotsford
Roar Rookie
Don, I like your bitter hatred for my beloved Pies. Let's hope 1990 gets replicated instead of 2011 on Saturday.
Abbotsford
Roar Rookie
Collingwood need to focus on the Grand Final rather than the Brownlow. Can they do it and make history or will Brisbane and Lachie Neale make history?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'm happy that things went awry for Pies people. After the Maynard stuff, and the umpiring against GWS, a bit of 'stiff cheese' was in order.
Dheeren
Roar Rookie
Even though I am a Port supporter, I never thought Zak Butters was a realistic chance as his best mate Connor Rozee would eat into a lot of Zak’s votes. However, I feel sorry for Marcus Bontempalli. He has been a bridesmaid so many times but never a bride. Votes polled by J Horne-Francis and Lachie Neale in some of their games was downright disgrace to the way voting happens for this prestigious medal.
Shane
Roar Rookie
Shock for me. Gulden, Butters, Petracca and Bontempeli more deserving winners. I think Neale won on the back of Dunkley polling a mere 4 votes. Lazy vote casting by the umpires. They just don't seem to value tackles and other defensive work. The big possibility, can Neale win the Norm Smith and the premiership.
Abbotsford
Roar Rookie
I would like to congratulate Lachie Neale on his second Brownlow Medal. An outstanding athlete and an ornament to our game. Now, it's up to Collingwood and Daicos to focus on Saturday to make this an unforgettable year for our beloved Magpies.
Gary
Roar Rookie
Well done Lachie :thumbup: And also the other high finishers… pretty close. Unlucky Bont. Brownlow will look far sweeter with a premiership medal.
Abbotsford
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to Lachie Neale. Now it's time for Nick Daicos to replicate what his GM of Football Graham Wright did in 1990. He came second in the Brownlow but won a Premiership Medallion. Forget the Charlie and go for the big prize on Saturday. Good luck lads!
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Oh please cmon it’s not a shock. A bit more thought and a bit less drama in the headlines please.