Brownlow Medal 2023: Lachie Neale defends umpire voting, lauds Daicos, Bontempelli seasons

Lachie Neale has laughed off suggestions that he received votes where they weren’t deserved, suggesting there were also Lions matches where he didn’t get the votes he could have.

Lachie Neale has defended the ‘beauty of the Brownlow’ in the face of vote criticism. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale says his surprise win on Monday night is “the beauty of the Brownlow”, hailing the stellar seasons of grand final foe Nick Daicos and Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli in the process.

Neale, 30, became just the 16th player in the game’s history to win two Brownlow Medals when he topped the vote ahead of Daicos, Bontempelli and Port Adelaide star Zak Butters.

The 2020 winner entered the count as the clear fifth-favourite to take out the game’s top honour but quickly established himself as a genuine chance after a red-hot start to the campaign.

Lachie Neale has defended the ‘beauty of the Brownlow’ in the face of vote criticism. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A cornerstone of Neale’s early votes came in round six, when he was awarded best on ground for a 20-disposal effort against GWS that went unacknowledged in the coaches’ votes.

That game was discussed ad nauseam by fans and pundits following the count and Neale conceded he was surprised to receive the three votes from the umpires.

“Yes – yeah, I was surprised,” he said.

“I think that’s the beauty of the Brownlow, though. There were probably games I thought I would poll a bit later through the middle part of the season where I didn’t pick up votes or polled one where I thought I might get two or three that game.

“I think it comes around, swings and roundabouts, and yeah I was lucky that game to poll but maybe unlucky in some others – that’s the beauty of the Brownlow, isn’t it? You never know how the umpires are going to vote and yeah, fortunate that it fell my way in the end.”

Pre-count favourite Daicos led the vote right to the final round before he was passed by Neale. The young Magpie missed the final four rounds of the home and away season through injury and the Lions’ skipper hailed his Collingwood rival.

“I want to give a shout out to Nick Daicos. He’s had such an amazing season so far and it hasn’t finished for him yet either, but if it wasn’t for his injury I think the medal would have been his and he would have been a thoroughly deserving winner,” Neale said.

“I feel for Nick, he’s had so much pressure and intensity and scrutiny on him this year and the way that he’s performed has been amazing to watch.

Nick Daicos looks on during the Brownlow count. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Also Bont as well – I think he had an amazing year once again. He’s such a great player to watch, one of my favourites to watch, so I do feel a bit for those two.

“In particular Nick. His injury probably cost him a Brownlow Medal, but I’m sure he will be in amongst it for the next 15 years.”

Neale conceded he was “rattled” soon after receiving the award and said it still had not sunk in nine hours later when he fronted media at Springfield ahead of the Lions’ open training session.

He joins an elite group of modern-day greats to have won multiple Brownlow Medals including Chris Judd, Gary Ablett Jr, Robert Harvey, Adam Goodes and his former Fremantle teammate, Nat Fyfe.

On Monday night he drew level with Fyfe on 187 career Brownlow votes – equal twelfth all-time.

But a modest Neale declared he had a ways to go before considering himself a peer of those players.

“I don’t think I’m in that company,” he said.

“I’m very fortunate to have my name amongst them with this award but I don’t see myself with those guys in terms of status in the game. They’re hall of famers, all those guys. I don’t really see myself amongst that echelon of player.”

Marcus Bontempelli had a stellar season. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

One thing that still separates Neale from all of those players – bar Fyfe – is an AFL premiership.

“That’s the main one. That’ll be my most treasured and favourite medal of all time if we can get the job done on Saturday,” he said.

“I’d trade them both (Brownlows). That’s the ultimate goal, and having been through this process before (in 2013 with Fremantle), not having a premiership (medal) around my neck I know that’s going to be the best feeling in the world if I can achieve that with this group and this club.

“I’ve got to reset pretty quickly. It’s pretty overwhelming, but I’m mature enough now to switch that off

“The past two finals … I’ve been far from the best player on the ground and we’ve had two really good wins.

“I’m just playing my part in an amazing team.”

Originally published as Brownlow Medal 2023: Lachie Neale defends umpire voting, lauds Daicos, Bontempelli seasons