That's a wrap for the 2020 Brownlow medal count. Thanks for joining the live blog.
This year's winner, Brisbane's Lachie Neale, wasn't a surprise but the manner of his victory was eye-catching. Aside from an early challenge from Gold Coast youngster Matt Rowell (a startling four-round return before he was injured), Neale basically wasn't headed and polled top votes in an astonishing 10 matches. That's good going in a regular season. But Neale managed that feat in a shortened, 17-match season. He won the most prestigious AFL individual award by 10 votes.
Good night folks.
The Brownlow placegetters
No big surprises among the top four, including second-placed Travis Boak and equal third-placed finishers Christian Petracca and Jack Steele.
AND THE TOP 10
31 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane) 21 - Travis Boak (Port Adelaide) 20 - Christian Petracca (Melbourne) 20 - Jack Steele (St Kilda) 15 - Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) 15 - Dustin Martin (Richmond) 15 - Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs) 15 - Luke Parker (Sydney) 14 - Cam Guthrie (Geelong) 14 - Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
ANALYSIS
Neale's 'daylight-to-second victory' is a comparable effort with Dustin Martin in 2017, who won the Brownlow with a record 36 votes.
For Neale to tally 31 votes (polling in 11 matches no less) in a shortened season is remarkable. It was his ability to secure the maximum three votes so often that ensured his victory. His medal was never under threat. Plainly, the umpires love him! That's unsurprising for a footballer who plays under the noses of the on-field officials.
Before the count, 25 votes was considered a strong return for Neale. And, yes, that vote return would have won too. More than 30 votes is quite remarkable in an 18-round season.
He's such a humble winner, too. Neale spoke so well at the podium (after he had to put the medal around his own neck!) and later at his media conference about the support of his teammates and how he's so grateful to play in the AFL. That's so nice to hear.
"To our players, this award is really for the club and the playing group," he said.
“Without them I definitely wouldn’t have this medal."
“You have to be in a pretty successful side and win a lot of games to achieve this."
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FINAL ROUND
Another 3 votes for Neale!
He wins with an astonishing 31-vote return, 10 votes ahead of second-placed Boak
Brisbane Lions had the bye. Tough for Neale to poll.
3 votes to Christian Petracca here. He's up to outright second (17 votes)
And how true is this, by the way:
There was no stopping the glamour
By Melissa Singer
Normally one of the country's biggest fashion nights of the year, the Brownlow, like many aspects of life this year, took on a more improvised feel on Sunday. But COVID-19 restrictions and last-minute invitations didn't stop the partners of some of the league's most fancied medal hopes from bringing a touch of glamour to the end of what has been a truly historic season.