Jeremy Howe hopes for change in mark of the year voting

COLLINGWOOD high-flyer Jeremy Howe is hopeful the AFL will change its mark of the year judging process after his controversial snub in this year’s award.

Jeremy Howe takes a huge mark over Tom McDonald. Picture: Mark Stewart

COLLINGWOOD high-flyer Jeremy Howe is hopeful the AFL will change its mark of the year judging process after his controversial snub in this year’s award.

Howe’s spectacular grab over Melbourne’s Tom McDonald on Queen’s Birthday was widely lauded as the most brilliant mark of the season, but Essendon’s Joe Daniher won the award, which is voted on by the public.

Jeremy Howe’s spectacular grab against Melbourne was expected to win mark of the year. Picture: Mark Stewart

Essendon’s Joe Daniher took home the prize for this grab over St Kilda’s Jake Carlisle. Picture: Michael Klein

“Word coming from above is they’re going to change it to a bit of a panel and it’s not going to be voted on by the public, but I’ll just see how I go,” Howe said. “I’ll just have another crack.”

Howe was visibly surprised when Daniher’s name was read out on Brownlow night.

“I don’t think I masked it that well,” he said.

“If it happens next time, I might just have to look at the table the whole time.

“It’s all fun and games, Joey’s a great player and he takes good grabs, so I’ll just have to go higher next year.”

Plenty of voice at Pies' preseason this morning. It's a warm one. pic.twitter.com/sRMxdStZMC

— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) November 20, 2017

Howe and the rest of the Magpies squad returned to full pre-season training today, with injured skipper Scott Pendlebury a limited participant as he recovers from a broken finger suffered in the International Rules Series.

Howe said forward Jamie Elliott’s ankle surgery was “not ideal” and highlighted James Aish, Darcy Moore and Brayden Maynard as standouts on the track.

MORE TO COME