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Gary Ablett wins Brownlow Medal

Posted by: 3AW Football | 22 September, 2009 - 12:32 AM

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Geelong midfielder Gary Ablett has won his first Brownlow Medal after the third year in a row he entered the vote count the bookmakers’ favourite.

The Cats' star dominated the vote count from start to finish before finishing with a amazing 30 votes – eight ahead of Carlton skipper Chris Judd on 22.

St Kilda's Lenny Hayes, who will play in Saturday’s Grand Final in the opposing midfield to Ablett, was outright third with 20 votes with Brisbane Lions pair Simon Black and Jonathan Brown next on 19 votes apiece.

The surprise of the night was heavily-backed Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan's average return. Swan, despite being a major catalyst for Collingwood's brilliant home and away season, was awarded just 12 votes.

In what is widely becoming known as the 'Midfielders Medal' only regular forwards Brown and Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt (15) finished in the top-10.

Aside from his Brownlow Medal win, Ablett has also capped a stellar home and away season with wins in the AFL Players' Association MVP and the $10,000 3AW Football Player Of The Year.

Final leaderboard (after round 22)

30 - Gary Ablett
22 - Chris Judd
20 - Lenny Hayes
19 - Simon Black
19 - Jonathan Brown
17 - Nick Dal Santo
17 - Adam Goodes
16 - Joel Selwood
15 - Bryce Gibbs
15 - Marc Murphy
15 - Nick Riewoldt
14 - Matthew Boyd
14 - Brendon Goddard
13 - Jimmy Bartel
13 - Sam Mitchell
13 - Leigh Montagna
13 - Scott Pendlebury
13 - Brad Sewell
13 - Bernie Vince
12 - Paul Chapman
12 - Alan Didak
12 - Dane Swan

3AW Football Player Of The Year:

26 - Gary Ablett
24 - Dane Swan
21 - Joel Selwood
21 - Sam Mitchell
20 - Chris Judd
20 - Jonathan Brown
18 - Nick Riewoldt
17 - Adam Goodes
15 - Leigh Montagna
16 - Simon Black
14 - Adam Cooney

2009 Brownlow Medal Images

Oh Dear! View the 2009 Brownlow Medal Red Carpet arrivals by clicking the image, with the young fiancee of Dr Geoffrey Edelsten turning heads to say the least. Print out 3AW's Brownlow Medal form guide is below.

Blog comments Your Say

  • About time gary got the brownlow,well done

    jane greer Tuesday 22 September, 2009 - 3:35 PM
  • Dane Swan and Nick Riewoldt were not better players than Gary Ablett this year so stop saying they got ripped. Dane Swan racked up heaps of cheap possessions - gotta do more than that to win the brownlow. Riewoldt had no chance of winning, but he polled well.

    Harry Tuesday 22 September, 2009 - 3:31 PM
  • Nick Riewoldt ripped off.
    what a disgrace

    Sophie Burn Tuesday 22 September, 2009 - 12:09 PM
  • Come on umpires, if Dane Swan has very similar stats to Ablett then how come he didn't poll as well. How can Ablett been in a losing side but poll 3 votes. Vote fair & not just hand votes to players you know well. Unlucky Lenny.

    Kathie Tuesday 22 September, 2009 - 1:28 AM

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