Sydney defender Nick Smith goes another season without polling a Brownlow Medal vote
SYDNEY defender Nick Smith has gone into the Brownlow Medal record books – but not in his desired category he was hoping for.
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NICK Smith has gone into the Brownlow Medal record books – but not in his desired category.
The Sydney Swans defender has now played more games than any player in AFL/VFL history without polling a single vote in the award.
When Smith went through the season voteless for the 11th time, he moved past retired Geelong backman Tom Lonergan’s 209-game mark to 211.
The underrated Sydney Swan has been shutting down superstar small forwards such as Eddie Betts and Cyril Rioli for more than a decade but it hasn’t cut any ice with the umpires or the AFL, who have never invited him to the event.
Will they invite him next year? Smith doubts it.
“I’m not holding my breath, that’s for sure,” Smith told The Daily Telegraph.
“My mates absolutely love it. They have been giving me plenty of stick, but that’s good.”
The popular Swan isn’t surprised he hasn’t scored a vote in the award known to many as the “Midfielder’s Medal”.
“My best games are when I do my job on the best small forwards,” Smith said.
“My performances are measured on how my opponent goes and not on kicks and handballs.”
Smith wasn’t the only defender to be overlooked at this year’s Brownlow awards announced on Monday.
The best backman in more than a decade, Richmond’s Alex Rance, didn’t poll a single vote either.
“It does surprise me that Alex didn’t get a vote,” Smith said.
“He’s a gun player and he’s had another great year.”
Perhaps the AFL needs to follow the lead of the NBA, NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball where individual defensive awardsare presented annually.
Smith is open to the idea in the AFL but not overly enthusiastic.
“It would be good to recognise defenders more but it doesn’t really bother me,” Smith said.
“It could create some extra interest for the public.”