Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell wins 2018 AFL Brownlow Medal

BROWNLOW winner Tom Mitchell reigned supreme on the AFL’s night of nights, but his coach may have stolen some thunder here.

2018 Brownlow Medal winner Tom Mitchell. . Pic: Michael Klein

• Tom Mitchell wins 2018 Brownlow
• AFL’s awkward retirement gaffe
• ‘A thousand minutes per second’
• Mitchell makes his pick
• Pies star stitches up coach

Live AFL: 2018 Brownlow Medal

Tom Mitchell was the short-priced favourite for a reason and he walked out with Charlie around his neck.

TOM Mitchell strolled into Melbourne’s Crown Casino as the heavy favourite and walked out with the Brownlow Medal around his neck.

The Hawthorn superstar polled 28 votes, the lowest since Matt Priddis in 2014, to claim the honour ahead of Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom.

Along with the surprise packet Sidebottom was Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw who bolted home to finish third overall.

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Brownlow Leaderboard

Tom Mitchell — 28 votes

Steele Sidebottom — 24 votes

Angus Brayshaw — 21 votes

Patrick Cripps — 20 votes

Max Gawn — 20 votes

11.30pm

Records tumble on Brownlow night

Dustin Martin’s record 36 votes are safe for another year, but there were some records that did tumble on the big night.

Joel Selwood polled 14 votes on Monday which takes his career tally to 195, enough to place him sixth all-time.

Unfortunately it also means he’s now polled the most votes without ever being handed the top prize.

His teammate Gary Ablett also entered the record books after also polling 14 votes, taking him to the all-time lead on a staggering 248 votes.

Sydney’s Nick Smith makes it in after once again failing to poll a single vote and extending his drought to a record-equalling 191 games. He joins Geelong’s Tom Lonergan for the most games without a vote.

11pm

Tom Mitchell wins 2018 Brownlow Medal

Tom Mitchell was a deserving winner of the Brownlow Medal.

Col Austen, Robert DiPierdomenico, John Platten, Shane Crawford, Sam Mitchell and now Tom Mitchell.

The ball magnet makes it Brownlow Medal number six for the Hawthorn football club after he burst out of the blocks with three best on grounds before a slow patch in the middle of the season.

A serious challenge from Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom had many on the edge of their seats, and even Mitchell admitted there were some nerves around.

“Steele obviously had a tremendous season and envious of him this weekend that he is able to play in a Grand Final. He had an outstanding year,” Mitchell said.

Congratulations to the 2018 Brownlow Medallist, Tom Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/KCnoghvajA

— AFL (@AFL) September 24, 2018

His spectacular 2018 season saw him average 35.3 disposals a game while he also amassed 40+ touches on 11 occasions.

In total he accumulated a total of 786 disposals from his 22 home and away games while claiming a host of media awards.

Mitchell was the heavy favourite entering the night in Melbourne and beat out Sidebottom and late Melbourne bolter Angus Brayshaw.

The tireless midfielder was full of praise — when accepting the award — for his girlfriend Hannah who changed up his diet.

“In summary my diet wasn’t too flash. Pre-game routine consisted of a box of BBQ Shapes and Kit Kats. I am on a strict salmon diet,” he said.

“She is the reason that I am standing up here. She has helped me enormously and made sacrifices and she is there for the highs and lows and I can’t thank her enough for what she has done for me.”

Of course his coach Alastair Clarkson provided the laughs when Mitchell began his speech and the camera panned to Clarko who appeared asleep.

“I will start with the Hawthorn Football Club. Thanks so much for the opportunity you have

given me. Clarko seems pretty interested.

“That is the last time that I will give you a mention.”

CLARKO. 😂😂😂#Brownlow pic.twitter.com/Cgjm9FQBmV

— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 24, 2018

Clarko sleeping through Tom Mitchell’s speech is the highlight of the #Brownlow.

— Peter Helliar (@pjhelliar) September 24, 2018

He did however praise the tactical master for his belief in him when he first walked in the doors at Hawthorn.

“He has had a massive influence on me since I have come across to Hawthorn. He has instilled so much belief in me and I can’t thank him enough since I have come to Hawthorn. He has improved me enormously,” Mitchell said.

10pm

AFL’s awkward retirement gaffe

At each and every Brownlow Medal night, the league takes a moment to acknowledge the latest batch of players who have retired from the game.

A video showing the best moments from the players’ games is shown on the big screen as a musical act belts out a tune.

Unfortunately this year there was one awkward inclusion in the video with a player, who actually hasn’t retired.

Gold Coast Suns player Michael Rischitelli was a part of the tribute despite the fact he’s set to line up for season number 16 in 2019.

The moment was quickly picked up by social media and even required his team to point out that he is in fact going around again.

Someone better tell Michael Rischitelli he's been retired

— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) September 24, 2018

Has 7 just retired Rischitelli? #Brownlow

— Tim Gossage 🤓🎙📺 (@TimGossage) September 24, 2018

Has Michael Rischitelli been made aware of the fact he's retired? #Brownlow #AFL

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) September 24, 2018

Woops. #brownlow https://t.co/nHmHrbr3mA

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) September 24, 2018

9.50pm

Swans soars highest of all

Unlike last year there was no outcry for someone being robbed of the Mark of the Year award as Isaac Heeney claimed the prize.

Heeney’s efforts came against Melbourne when he sat on the head of Demons forward Jesse Hogan in the final quarter of their clash.

9.20pm

Demons defender takes out Jim Stynes award

Neville Jetta may be one of the most underrated football players in the game, but his work away from the park has been recognised after claiming the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for 2018.

Jetta helps out at the Parkville Juvenile Justice Centre, Melbourne Indigenous Transition School, Yarnbark, Red Cross Australia and Head Space and Parade College.

He was handed the honour by Matisse Stynes, the daughter of the late Irish legend Jim.

9.05pm

‘A thousand minutes per second’

Jack Higgins split the AFL community with his incredible goal against Collingwood in round 19 and the debate has been reignited after Higgins was awarded the Goal of the Year award.

The livewire forward put his arm around the goalpost and lofted the ball into the air before darting around and fly kicking the ball back over his head and through the big sticks.

Still a throw. #notgoaloftheyear #brownlow

— Shana Morgan (@shana_morgan) September 24, 2018

Still a throw#coxycomments

— Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) September 24, 2018

Thankfully the controversial moment didn’t hinder Higgins from delivering one of his patented hilarious speeches.

“Firstly, my heart is at about a thousand minutes per second, so if I screw it up, don’t hate on me,” Higgins said.

“Yeah, firstly I’d like to thank the Richmond Football Club and stuff like that for giving me the opportunity. Yeah, there you go.

“Giving me the opportunity in playing some games this year which is awesome. I’d like to thank all the people that helped me out in my junior career, all my teammates and my parents and my girlfriend Tanisha who gave me heaps of support this year.

“Yeah, really appreciate it. Thanks for the award and thanks for voting. Cheers.”

Already the best #AFL speech ever @jackhiggins99 #Brownlow #Brownlow2018

— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) September 24, 2018

7.55pm

TV show host gets one back

Sunday Footy Show host Tony Jones has been routinely picked on after one of the most awkward moments ever captured on live TV.

On 9 news, Jones went to farewell Bec Judd and as he leaned in for a kiss Bec pulled away and left Jones hanging.

The moment is constantly brought up on the Footy Show, mainly by antagonist Kane Cornes, but on Monday night Jones finally put the moment behind him.

As he interview Bec and husband Chris on the red carpet, Tony ended the chat and offered up a handshake only for laughs from the couple before Bec leant in and gave Tony a kiss on the cheek.

He did it @SunFootyShow! pic.twitter.com/29PddpK4GK

— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) September 24, 2018

7pm

Pies star stitches up coach

Mason Cox is still riding high after his electric performance at the MCG on Friday night when he torched the Tigers and helped his side secure a Grand Final berth.

The monstrous American could do no wrong throughout the contest and the confidence has clearly carried over.

His social media exploits were on full display during Saturday’s second preliminary final whitewash when he tweeted and subsequently deleted a dig at Melbourne fans.

“Just a reminder Melbourne fans my parents flight from Dallas to Melbourne return was cheaper than Melbourne to Perth this weekend,” Cox tweeted.

He’s gone one step further on Monday night during the Brownlow Medal red carpet as he watches on — and live tweets — from the comfort of home.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and his then girlfriend — now wife — Tania stole the limelight back in 2001.

You've come a long way coach...#coxycomments pic.twitter.com/fqiiBTlNad

— Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) September 24, 2018

This year it’s a much more modest affair from the duo and Cox couldn’t help but point out the difference from then and now.

Originally published as Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell wins 2018 AFL Brownlow Medal