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Brownlow Medal 2018: Tom Mitchell takes AFL’s top prize

Tom Mitchell has edged out Steele Sidebottom to take the AFL’s most coveted individual honour, the Brownlow Medal.

Tessa Akerman and Adrian McMurray
12 min read
3:39PMSeptember 24, 2018.
Updated 11:48PMSeptember 24, 2018
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2018 Brownlow Medal winner Tom Mitchell. Picture: Michael Klein
2018 Brownlow Medal winner Tom Mitchell. Picture: Michael Klein

Hello and welcome to our rolling coverage of the 2018 Brownlow Medal at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne. Tom Mitchell has won the main prize, while all eyes were on the red carpet prior to tonight’s count.

Chris Cavanagh 11.30pm: AFL’s best ball winner grabs Brownlow

The greatest accumulator of the ball the AFL has seen was tonight bestowed with the league’s greatest individual honour, Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell crowned the winner of the 2018 Brownlow Medal.

Tom Mitchell with the 2018 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Getty Images
Tom Mitchell with the 2018 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Getty Images

The prolific onballer polled 28 votes to hold off a surprise challenger in Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom (24 votes) and become the third Hawk in 19 years to win the award behind Sam Mitchell in 2012 and Shane Crawford in 1999. Sidebottom, who entered the night a $51 chance, held the outright lead in the count at round 13, having polled 17 votes, but it was Mitchell who finished the better of the pair in what became a two-horse race.

Steele Sidebottom. Picture: AAP
Steele Sidebottom. Picture: AAP

The son of 1991 Sydney best-and-fairest Barry Mitchell, the Hawks midfielder recorded 14 votes in the final 10 rounds, the triumph coming as little surprise on the back of winning the AFL Player’s Association MVP award and earning All-Australian selection for a second season this year.

Mitchell broke the VFL/AFL record for most disposals in a single game with 54 touches against Collingwood in round 1 and finished the home-and-away season with 786 disposals — 119 more than any other player — at a rate of 35.7 a game while averaging 7.9 clearances and kicking 12 goals.

2018 Brownlow Medal winner Tom Mitchell receives the medal from last year’s winner Dustin Martin. Picture: Michael Klein
2018 Brownlow Medal winner Tom Mitchell receives the medal from last year’s winner Dustin Martin. Picture: Michael Klein

Mitchell thanked Todd Goldstein during his acceptance speech, an errant elbow on the North Melbourne ruckman in round 5 threatening to rub him out of Brownlow contention.

“I do remember the incident. I think ‘Goldy’ actually looked after me a bit in the post-game as well,” Mitchell said. “I don’t reckon there was a lot in the incident from memory, I think it probably didn’t look great on the vision but I don’t think there was a lot of contact in it. To be honest I had no idea that I’d been cited until someone mentioned it to me after the game and I was sort of, ‘what was that for?’. It was lucky for me that I didn’t get suspended.”

Mitchell also said a change in diet helped bring about a change in his game, largely thanks to partner Hannah Davis.

Tom Mitchell gets a kiss from girlfriend Hannah Davis. Picture: Getty Images
Tom Mitchell gets a kiss from girlfriend Hannah Davis. Picture: Getty Images

“In summary my diet wasn’t too flash,” Mitchell said.

“Pre-game routine consisted of a box of Barbecue Shapes and Kit-Kats. I am now on a strict salmon diet.”

After polling a record 36 votes to win last year’s Brownlow Medal, Richmond’s Dustin Martin managed 19 votes.

The drought since a ruckman last won the award extended to 26 years dating back to Footscray’s Scott Wynd in 1992, with highly fancied duo Max Gawn (20 votes) and Brodie Grundy (17) both falling short of expectations.

11.04pm: Someone’s had a big night!

10.59pm: Just to show how close it was …

10.56pm: The final count

Sidebottom powered home in the last two rounds to finish second on 24, with Angus Brayshaw taking six votes across the final two weeks to move to third on 21 votes. Cripps and Gawn were tied for fourth on 20 votes, while Laird and last year’s winner Martin were locked up on 19 votes in sixth.

10.43pm: Mitchell wins 2018 Brownlow Medal

Mitchell polls a single vote in round 21 as Hawthorn edged Geelong, and that’s enough for the midfielder to take the main prize!

10.37pm: Another two for Mitchell

With three rounds to go, the Hawthorn midfielder has a seven-point lead over Sidebottom, and the Brownlow is almost certainly his. Gawn has continued his charge — now in a tie for fourth on 16 votes — but after round 20 it’s a race in two, with Sidebottom needing to make up a lot of ground to pull off a shock win.

10.34pm: Mitchell moves further in front

Mitchell polls three in round 19, moving to 25, five in front of Sidebottom. Cripps is up to 17, now third. Looks like this is Mitchell’s night!

10.29pm: Mitchell back in front

Three votes for Mitchell as the Hawks smashed the Blues in round 18, while Sidebottom missed out completely in Collingwood’s big win over North Melbourne. Mitchell takes the lead. Meanwhile a pair of ineligible players from the west sit in third, Andrew Gaff joining Fyfe on 16 votes.

10.24pm: Sidebottom hits the lead

We have a new leader!

Sidebottom takes maximum votes in round 16, while Mitchell missed out to Luke Breust, Jack Gunston and Jaeger O’Meara as the Hawks romped to a big win over the Western Bulldogs.

Neither Sidebottom or Mitchell poll votes in round 17, the Hawthorn man missing out on votes despite 43 disposals in a losing effort to Brisbane, as Gawn moves up the leaderboard to 13th with a best on ground effort against the Bulldogs.

10.18pm: AFL force Rischitelli into retirement?

There was a bit of a strange moment earlier when Michael Rischitelli was included in the retiring players video package.

The Suns moved quickly to assure everyone he was indeed playing on in 2019.

10.14pm: Mixed history for Geelong greats

A nice bit of history for Ablett …

… but this will be of little comfort for Joel Selwood.

10.10pm: Mitchell moves ahead

Right, now we might see our 2018 Brownlow Medalist emerge … polling two votes in the loss to GWS in round 15, Mitchell moves to 19. Grundy, Josh Thomas, and Taylor Adams took the votes for Collingwood in their win over Gold Coast, while Cripps continued his march up the leaderboard, with two votes in the Blues’ loss to Port Adelaide.

10.03pm: Close at the top

We’re all locked up after 14 rounds! Mitchell polled a single vote in Hawthorn’s crushing victory over Gold Coast, while Scott Pendlebury and Will Hoskin-Elliott took the votes for Collingwood, Sidebottom still on 17. Meanwhile North Melbourne’s Shaun Higgins has moved up to fourth on 12, while Carlton’s shining light Patrick Cripps is in seventh on 14.

9.59pm: Mitchell rises

Mitchell moves up to second with two votes in the Hawks’ big win over the Crows in round 13, and with Collingwood on the bye Sidebottom remains on 17.

9.52pm: Heeney takes mark of the year

A fair leap over Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan from the Sydney man was deemed mark of the year, the best of a pretty hot field.

Meanwhile, Melbourne defender Neville Jetta was awarded the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

9.43pm: Tribute to retiring heroes

Mahalia Barnes sings an acoustic the Foo Fighters classic My Hero over a video montage of retiring players.

It seems viewers were divided on the performance …

9.37pm: Boilover on the cards?

Back-to-back best-on-ground efforts from Gary Ablett have propelled the former Brownlow winner into five-way tie for fifth after 12 rounds, with Trent Cotchin, Franklin, Brisbane’s Jack Macrae, and Martin. Polling four votes between rounds 11 and 12, Sidebottom is the new outright leader on 17, Mitchell three behind. The Hawthorn man finished the year strongly, but it’s certainly more interesting than we might’ve thought before tonight’s count.

9.10pm: Sidebottom, Laird jump Mitchell

Well … this isn’t going to script! Mitchell has dropped back to fourth, with Sidebottom and Laird into second and third respectively. Meanwhile, Fyfe (ineligible) is still in front at this stage with three votes in Fremantle’s round eight win over St Kilda.

9.08pm: Mason Cox: Twitter superstar

9.03pm: Higgins takes goal of the year

Richmond’s Jack Higgins took the goal of the year gong for his screamer in round 19 against Melbourne. You don’t see too many scored like that often …

8.55pm: Fyfe on top

Fyfe now sits alone at the top after seven rounds on 12, Mitchell one behind. Adelaide’s Rory Laird picked up four votes in big wins over Gold Coast and Carlton to move to third alongside Sidebottom on 10 votes. Gawn has made a move, up to a share of seventh on six votes. polling strongly in the Demons’ round six win over the Bombers.

8.43pm: Moves at the top

Nat Fyfe and Steele Sidebottom joined Mitchell on nine votes at the end of round five, Fyfe and Sidebottom polling the maximum three votes that round. The Fremantle captain is of course ineligible due to suspension. Dustin Martin isn’t far off, one of five players on six.

8.38pm: Mitchell sets the pace

Wow … another best-on-ground effort from Mitchell in round three increased his lead at the top. That’s nine from as many possible votes now. Lance Franklin has picked up votes in three of the first four rounds to move to six.

8.34pm: Mitchell takes early lead

And the count has begun! Even after two rounds, Mitchell is already the outright leader, with a perfect six votes. GWS midfielder Stephen Coniglio sits one behind after taking three in the Giants’ round two win over the Magpies, while Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff also sits on five.

7.16pm: Mason Cox’s Buckley throwback

7.00pm: Mitchell will win: Grundy

Brownlow Medal smoky Brodie Grundy doesn’t believe either he or fellow big man Max Gawn will be celebrating at Monday night’s AFL award night. The Collingwood star says runaway favourite Tom Mitchell should win, despite the popular push behind a ruck to win.

“It’s been really nice to be mentioned among those sorts of players but I don’t think it’s for me this year,” he said on Monday.

Collingwood's Brodie Grundy and Rachael Wertheim. . Picture: Michael Klein
Collingwood's Brodie Grundy and Rachael Wertheim. . Picture: Michael Klein

“Tom Mitchell is going to be pretty hard to beat tonight and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t win the Brownlow.” Gawn and Grundy have enjoyed stellar seasons and are rated within the top five chances to win the Brownlow.

A success for either would be a fine tonic to the contention that the prize has become a midfielder’s medal.

Not since Scott Wynd’s triumph in 1992 has an out-and-out ruck been awarded the medal.

Gawn has established himself as the game’s best tapper while Grundy mixed his ruck work with a ball-getting ability most midfielders would be delighted with. More importantly, the ruck pair powered their clubs into September. Gawn’s Melbourne turfed heavyweights Hawthorn and Geelong from the finals before their own exit on Saturday against West Coast.

Grundy’s season isn’t finished, with the Eagles waiting for him and Collingwood at the MCG this weekend.

Brownlow Medal 2018 red carpet
2018 Brownlow Medal. Red Carpet. Jimmy and Nadia Bartel . Pic: Michael Klein
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“I’m really happy that we’re playing in a grand final this week,” Grundy said. “And to go along (on Monday night). I’ve never been before to the Brownlow.”

AAP

Tessa Akerman 6.31pm: Brownlow favourite arrives

Tonight’s favourite Tom Mitchell and Hannah Davis are here, the latter very sparkly in One Day Bridal. Davis said she loves the current gold trend as well as her long sleeves. Her one request in the design was a slit up the side.

Hannah Davis and Tom Mitchell.
Hannah Davis and Tom Mitchell.

6.30pm: The latest from the red carpet

Brownlow Medal 2018 red carpet
2018 Brownlow Medal. Red Carpet. Jimmy and Nadia Bartel . Pic: Michael Klein
VIEW GALLERY

Tessa Akerman 6.13pm: Another past winner arrives

Nat Fyfe and his partner Elli Brashaw were doing WA proud on the carpet tonight. Fyfe picked Tom Mitchell to win the Brownlow and Collingwood for the flag.

Nat Fyfe adjusts Elli Brashaw's dress.
Nat Fyfe adjusts Elli Brashaw's dress.

Tessa Akerman 6.09pm: Logan ‘shines’ with feathers

Logan Shine has been a standout on the carpet tonight. The partner of Western Bulldogs premiership player Jason Johannisen is warm on the red carpet with “three different types of lace and lots of feathers”. Shine said she was originally going to co-create a dress with designer Coniglio but tried on this design of his first and knew she couldn’t take it off.

Jason Johannisen and Logan Shine.
Jason Johannisen and Logan Shine.

Tessa Akerman 6.05pm: Brownlow queen arrives

Bec Judd, television presenter and wife of two-time Brownlow Medalist Chris Judd, is here. The Brownlow queen said she is pumped for return to red carpet.

Chris and Rebecca Judd. Picture: Getty Images
Chris and Rebecca Judd. Picture: Getty Images

Tessa Akerman 6.00pm: Metallics 2018’s trend?

Metallics may be on trend with Max Gawn’s partner Jessica Todd in silver and Jack Gunston’s partner Dani Shreeve in gold. It’s Gawn’s second time here and he said he ended up getting home a bit late last year. Todd says she left everything to her stylist Georgia Young Couture.

Dani Shreeve and Jack Gunston.
Dani Shreeve and Jack Gunston.
Max Gawn and Jessica Todd.
Max Gawn and Jessica Todd.

Tessa Akerman 5.50pm: Ennels, Viney hit the red carpet

Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney and fiancee Charlotte Ennels have arrived, Charlotte describing her look as “fierce”. She said she loved how her stylist had pushed the sheer look to the edge. Viney describes his look as classic and said he tried to do something different with the vest yet kept it formal.

Jack Viney and Charlotte Ennels. Picture: Mark Stewart
Jack Viney and Charlotte Ennels. Picture: Mark Stewart

5.39pm: The players have also scrubbed up OK …

Charlie Curnow of the Blues. Picture: Getty Images
Charlie Curnow of the Blues. Picture: Getty Images
Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom. Picture: Getty Images
Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom. Picture: Getty Images

Tessa Akerman 5.32pm: Another baby bump

Ben Brown from North Melbourne with wife Hester have arrived, with another baby bump on the red carpet. The couple are dressed in silk-free, vegan-friendly clothing.

Hester and Ben Brown (North Melbourne) arrive.
Hester and Ben Brown (North Melbourne) arrive.

5.22pm: Ennels set to steal the show

Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney’s fiance Charlotte Ennels has posted her incredible dress to Instagram, with a few well-placed sequins on this number.

5.10pm: Red carpet kicks off

The players, their partners and media have started to make their way in to Crown, and we’ve got the best shots as they roll in right here in our red carpet gallery.

Brownlow Medal 2018 red carpet
2018 Brownlow Medal. Red Carpet. Jimmy and Nadia Bartel . Pic: Michael Klein
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4.46pm: Bec Judd’s finishing touches

Tessa Akerman 4.29pm: Who’s on the guest list?

There are some great past and present players on the guest list tonight. I hope the solo West Coast representative Trevor Nisbett is welcomed by the Collingwood contingent.

Guest list at the 2018 Brownlow Medal.
Guest list at the 2018 Brownlow Medal.

Tessa Akerman 4.20pm: Media assemble at Crown

The media horde is assembling for the Brownlow arrivals and the women of the small screen are all glammed up. Slight chill to the air, I expect Channel 10’s Emma O’Sullivan will be keeping her coat on until the last minute.

The media pack assemble at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.
The media pack assemble at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

4.00pm: What the markets tell us

Tom Mitchell is the clear favourite with PointsBet, but there are a few other players who could trouble the Hawthorn ace.

Tom Mitchell ($1.45): The Hawthorn midfielder finished third last year, polling 25 votes, and has turned in a better season this year. He had in excess of 100 disposals more than the next-best in the home-and-away season, averaging 36 a game. Also fifth in the competition for frees for. A clear favourite with the bookies and pundits.

Tom Mitchell. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Tom Mitchell. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Dustin Martin ($8.50): The Richmond ace won last year’s medal with a record 36 votes. Hasn’t entirely recaptured that form but still produced at least four standout games and a number when if not best-afield, close to it. Averaged about 25 disposals a game and topped the league for inside 50s.

Dustin Martin. Picture: AAP
Dustin Martin. Picture: AAP

Max Gawn ($10): A specialist ruckman hasn’t won the Brownlow since Scott Wynd in 1992 but if anyone can end that streak it’s the Melbourne star. Dominated the rucks with almost 150 more hit-outs than the next best in the home-and-away season. Second in the competition for contested marks, averaged 16 disposals a game.

Max Gawn. Picture: Getty Images
Max Gawn. Picture: Getty Images

Patrick Cripps ($13): The Carlton gun was fifth in the competition for disposals, averaging 30 a game, and led the league average for contested possessions while also in the top-10 for tackles laid. Was simply outstanding in a number of games but how much will playing in a side that won just two games hurt his chances?

Patrick Cripps. Picture: AAP
Patrick Cripps. Picture: AAP

Dayne Beams ($17): The Brisbane star averaged 29 disposals a game and is rated a solid chance of at least four best-on-grounds. Polled 17 votes last season when the Lions won five games, the same as this season. A slowish start but will power home towards the end of the season.

Dayne Beams. Picture: Getty Images
Dayne Beams. Picture: Getty Images

Clayton Oliver ($21): The Melbourne midfielder has been sensational, averaging 30 disposals, seven tackles and five inside 50s a game. Is also top-10 for clearances. Rated a near-certainty to poll maximum votes in at least three games but will his teammate Gawn’s excellence deny him full votes, or visa versa?

Brodie Grundy ($21): The Collingwood ruck averaged 39 hit-outs a game, behind only Gawn, who averaged 45. But the Magpies star has arguably been the most influential big man around the ground, averaging 21 disposals a game including 12 contested possessions. Also top-20 for tackles laid in the league.

Brodie Grundy. Picture: Getty Images
Brodie Grundy. Picture: Getty Images

Elliot Yeo ($51): The West Coast on-baller averaged 25 touches a game and plays with a flair that should catch the eye of umpires. Was behind only Martin for inside 50s and part of a winning side more often than not. But his suspended teammate Andrew Gaff could pinch votes.

With AAP

3.30pm: ‘I don’t really have any expectations’

Tom Mitchell is just about the only person not expecting him to win the Brownlow Medal.

The Hawthorn midfielder enters tonight’s count of the prestigious AFL award as the raging favourite.

Bookmakers rate Mitchell a near-certainty to win, but he is reticent about his chances.

“Heading into the Brownlow, I’m not really sure,” he said. “I don’t really have any expectations.”

Almost everyone else expects Mitchell to hold off Richmond’s Dustin Martin, who is in the frame to claim consecutive Brownlows, awarded to the league’s fairest and best player throughout the home-and-away season. Martin took last year’s medal with a record 36 votes.

Geelong ace Patrick Dangerfield won the previous year with 35 votes and Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe (31 votes) claimed the 2016 medal — named after Geelong’s Charles Brownlow, an esteemed VFL administrator in the early 1900s. But this year’s count is forecast to be a tighter contest with the winner likely to poll in the mid to high 20s — which means Martin again looms large. The tattooed Tigers champion admits his form this season hasn’t quite hit the heights of last year, when he became the first footballer to win the Brownlow and the Norm Smith Medal, for best-afield in a grand final, in the same year. But Martin’s output has still been eye-catching.

Various form guides have Martin polling maximum votes at least four times and being in the votes in ­numerous other matches.

But Hawks midfielder Mitchell carries outright favouritism after topping the competition for ­disposals in a stunning season.

AAP

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/brownlow-medal-2018-tom-mitchell-the-raging-favourite/news-story/c7ea73d1910aea590d7dadea258c6b1c