Cripps dominates, but was this really the greatest season ever played?

There was plenty to digest after Patrick Cripps’ record-breaking vote haul at Monday night’s Brownlow Medal count. We take a look at the key questions.

Was this really the greatest season ever played?

Forget the cost-of-living inflation dragon, the RBA now has another issue to deal with – Brownlow voting inflation. It’s absolutely bonkers that Cripps polled a record 45 votes (outside the 1976 and 1977 seasons when vote tallies were doubled after the introduction of two umpires), smashing the previous mark of 36 set by Ollie Wines in 2021 and Dustin Martin in 2017.

Record breaker: Brownlow winner Patrick Cripps had a stunning season.Credit: Getty Images

Cripps averaged almost 29 disposals per game and led the league in clearances. But was he more important to the Blues than full-back and fellow All-Australian Jacob Weitering, who did not poll even one vote? How many games would the Blues have won without Weitering? Was Cripps’ season that much better than say, that of Jason Dunstall of 1992, when the Hawthorn forward booted 139 goals in the home-and-away campaign, yet finished second in the Brownlow with what now seems a miserly 18 votes?

That Nick Daicos finished second this year – with 38 votes – reinforced the inflationary pressures the count has been under since it became the exclusive domain of midfielders. Remember, between 1940 and 2010, no player had more than 30 votes in a single season; Cripps became the first to poll at least 40. Cripps, as great as he is, had umpires under a spell, highlighted in round 13 against Essendon when he polled two unexpected votes, despite having only 19 touches at 14 per cent kicking efficiency. His round nine and 12 best on grounds were also arguable (we didn’t have him down as best on ground, although he was firmly in the mix for one or two votes). His runaway Brownlow win came on a night many – including host broadcaster Seven – had tipped a tight finish. Instead, this count was done with three rounds remaining.

What should Carlton really think about Cripps’ win?

Yes, the Blues should be delighted that Cripps is the first dual Brownlow medallist to have won both medals as a Carlton player. But the gap in votes between Cripps (45) and Sam Walsh (16) and then next best Harry McKay (six) is not the blueprint of a premiership side. Check out the vote tally of the Swans (three in double digits, and all with at least 23 votes), Lions (four in double digits) and the Power (four in double digits) – that’s how you go deep into September. Cripps cops flak, at times, for trying to do too much when the contest is in the balance. It’s time teammates did some heavy lifting, otherwise the medal Cripps truly craves on the last Saturday of September won’t be won.

What happened in round 13 with the Daicos brothers?

Nick Daicos would have won any other count. He, too, benefited from some questionable votes, notably when he polled one in the King’s Birthday clash despite being subbed off (15 disposals) with injury. His brother Josh had a game-high 34 touches on an afternoon best remembered for Christian Petracca’s season-ending injury, but was overlooked in voting. Go figure. It won’t be long before Nick claims Charlie, anyway.

Better luck next year: Collingwood brothers Nick (left) and Josh Daicos.Credit: AFL Photos

Should the umpires still vote?

This is debatable. Should an independent panel give votes? Should umpires have a full day to digest the game and statistics and then make a call, rather having to do so immediately after a game? On balance, the current system is the go, and the AFL has been insistent this year that there won’t be change. Yes, the umpires sometimes make head-scratching decisions, but they’re only human. Do we really want a bot running the rule over our great game?

What happened to the likes of Bontempelli and Neale?

Predictions that Swans star Isaac Heeney – ineligible through suspension – would make a fast start, before stalling were right. But it was a surprise to see Marcus Bontempelli and Lachie Neale trail as they did. Bontempelli was the favourite among many experts and punters, but finished a whopping 26 votes behind Cripps – and “the Bont” was this year’s AFLPA MVP. He didn’t poll a vote against Gold Coast in round two, despite having 32 touches and two goals, while our predictions had him receiving maximum votes against Hawthorn in round eight when he had 26 disposals, including 11 score involvements (he walked away voteless). However, it was the career-best form of teammate Adam Treloar (26 votes), who finished seventh in the count, which also had an impact; Treloar may have got the nod ahead of Bontempelli in some games.

Have to wait another year: Western Bulldogs great Marcus Bontempelli.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Neale, seeking to become the fifth man to win three times, was also among the favourites. He needed maximum votes in round 13 (when he got two) and round 15 (it was shock when he was completely overlooked), but still finished with 22 votes.

Were any future winners identified?

For sure. Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell and Port Adelaide midfielders Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis caught the umpires’ eye regularly. Rowell just needs the Suns to win more games. Fremantle’s Caleb Serong and Sydney’s Chad Warner are also emerging faces.

Is the count too long?

The count began at 8pm (is 7.30pm a more family friendly time?), but it wasn’t until 10.36pm that Cripps was officially crowned the game’s fairest and best player. There was even an interview with him heading into the final straight. Why bother? League chief executive Andrew Dillon did a good job in keeping a strong pace in his maiden year of reading the votes, the goal and marks of the year and the Jim Stynes community award winners need to be announced and a tribute to retired players deserves time (Angus Brayshaw delivered a moving speech). But there is no reason why the count cannot be decided by 10.15pm.

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