Brisbane Lions' Lachie Neale wins 2020 Brownlow Medal
The AFL's short priced Brownlow favourite has claimed the game's best and fairest with his speech bringing his wife to tears.
The Brisbane Lions' Lachie Neale has won the 2020 Brownlow Medal in a bittersweet result after his side bowed out in a preliminary final thrashing against the Geelong Cats.
But it couldn't stop the star's brilliant individual season in his second year for the club. Neale raced out to a huge lead and with seven rounds to go was leading by nine points.
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The 27-year-old Lions gun was scintillating for his club and a huge reason it finished second - equal with the top placed Port Adelaide.
Before the event started, Nine News Melbourne reporter Alicia Muling posted a picture of Neale and his wife Julie and the admission that he was "feeling pretty flat" less than 24 hours after being knocked out of the premiership hunt.
The man of the hour Lachie Neale, (who admits he’s feeling pretty flat) and wife Julie arrive at the GABBA ahead of tonight’s Brownlow Medal count @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/IKsjmLG87a
— Alicia Muling (@AliciaMuling9) October 18, 2020
He reiterated it in his press conference when he admitted he was pretty disappointed by the loss against Geelong on Saturday night.
"I spoke about it precoming to the Brownlow as I was walking into the room," he said. "Since we had a pretty disappointing display last night I've felt pretty flat and I wasn't really excited or anything for tonight until the count started and it started to build up a bit.
"I wanted to win a premiership this year, that was my main focus for a long time. It didn't happen so for the last 24 hours I suppose now I was pretty flat. I wasn't too nervous. Once the count started I was excited, nervous and I really enjoyed the night as well. I'll be able to take it in and enjoy it."
But the shortpriced favourite didn't disappoint the AFL community, taking out his first Brownlow Medal in the craziest season in memory.
It was the biggest win in the 3-2-1 vote history, with several on social media pointing out that he could have hit 40 votes if it was a normal 22 game season.
Neale locked it up with two rounds remaining when he got the three votes against the Gold Coast.
He went on to win the count with 31 votes by 10 votes to Port Adelaide's Travis Boak (21) and Melbourne's Christian Petracca and St Kilda's Jack Steele.
Speaking after the win, Neale said it was far beyond where he thought he reach when he was drafted 58 in the 2011 national draft.
"It's unbelievable," he said. "I feel really humbled to be in this position and to be amongst some of those names is still pretty crazy to me. As has been mentioned the boy from Kyby, I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be standing here today.
"I suppose there is a sense of relief that it's over now and I have the medal. Although there was some great players throughout the year. Travis Boak, Christian Petracca and Jack Steele, even Dustin Martin and Dangerfield had great years as well. There were always going to be challenges, but I'm very proud to have won it this year."
In paying tribute to those who were there for him throughout the journey, the star paid special tribute to his wife Julie, who he married in 2018.
She moved to Brisbane with Neale when he was traded to the Lion from Fremantle, and he revealed she gave up a lot for him.
"I want to thank my family, want to thank my wife Jules obviously. She is an amazing human being," he said to vision of her wiping away tears in the background.
"Not many people probably know, but she owned a salon in Perth before we decided to move to Brisbane and she had to sell that to come over here and follow my dreams. She was doing very well for herself over there, but she always puts me ahead of herself when she shouldn't have to, and she is the most selfless person I know. Thank you very much Jules. I love you."
2019 Brownlow winner and former teammate at the Dockers Nat Fyfe paid tribute to the star.
"Lachie mate, congratulations. Enormous year," he said. "You came us to at Freo as a late draft pick and from day one set about proving to the competition how good a player you could be.
"I think what you've done at Brisbane over the last three seasons has really turned into one of the most consistent players in the competition, an absolute superstar. Mate we have been teammates, been opponents, we are always going to be great mates.
"I wish I was there to give you a big hug and put the medal around your neck. I can't do that this year but it's my great pleasure to now ask you to present yourself with the 2020 Brownlow Medal."
What a class act, Lachie Neale. Brilliant speech. #Brownlow
— James Mottershead (@mottersjames) October 18, 2020
BROWNLOW TOP 10
31: Lachie Neale (Lions)
21: Travis Boak (Port)
20: Christian Petracca (Demons)
20: Jack Steele (Saints)
15: Patrick Dangerfield (Cats)
15: Jack Macrae (Bulldogs)
15: Luke Parker (Swans)
14: Cameron Guthrie (Cats)
14: Clayton Oliver (Demons)
Originally published as Brisbane Lions' Lachie Neale wins 2020 Brownlow Medal