AFL Brownlow Medal Winners: Complete List & History

The Brownlow Medal, guys, is like the holy grail for individual players in the Australian Football League (AFL). It's the award everyone wants to win, recognizing the fairest and best player during the regular season. So, let's dive into everything you need to know about the Brownlow, from its history to a complete list of all the amazing players who've taken home the medal.

What is the Brownlow Medal?

Alright, so what exactly is the Brownlow Medal? Officially, it's awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the AFL during the home and away season. Emphasis on fairest, meaning you can't be suspended during the season to be eligible! Each game, the umpires (those are the referees for you non-AFL fans) cast their votes: three votes for the best player, two for the second best, and one for the third best. At the end of the season, all the votes are tallied, and the player with the most votes wins the Brownlow Medal. It's a huge honor, and the Brownlow Medal ceremony is one of the biggest nights on the AFL calendar.

The Brownlow Medal isn't just about racking up possessions or kicking goals, it's about consistent performance, impact on the game, and sportsmanship. Think of it as the MVP award but with an added layer of integrity. A player can have a purple patch for a few weeks, but to win the Brownlow, they need to perform at an elite level week in and week out, while also playing within the rules. What makes the Brownlow so special is its history. It dates all the way back to 1924, and the list of winners reads like a who's who of Australian football legends. From iconic figures like Dick Reynolds and Haydn Bunton Sr. in the early days to modern-day stars like Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe, the Brownlow Medal has always been a symbol of excellence and achievement. Winning a Brownlow isn't just a personal triumph; it's something that a player, their family, and their club celebrate together. It's a recognition of dedication, hard work, and sacrifice, and it's a moment that stays with a player for the rest of their lives.

History of the Brownlow Medal

Now, let's take a trip down memory lane and explore the rich history of the Brownlow Medal! The Brownlow Medal was first awarded in 1924 and was named after Charles Brownlow, a former Geelong Football Club player and administrator who had a massive impact on the sport. Back then, the game was still evolving, but Brownlow's vision and leadership helped shape it into what it is today. In the early years, the voting system was a bit different, and there were some years where the medal was awarded to multiple players due to a tie. Can you imagine the awkwardness of sharing such a prestigious award?! Over the years, the voting system has been tweaked and refined to ensure that the fairest and best player is recognized.

Some of the early winners of the Brownlow Medal were true pioneers of the game, setting the standard for future generations of footballers. Names like Dick Reynolds, who won the medal three times in the 1930s and 40s, and Haydn Bunton Sr., who also won three times, are synonymous with the early days of the Brownlow. These players were not only incredibly skilled but also known for their sportsmanship and integrity. As the game evolved, so did the Brownlow Medal. In the mid-20th century, new stars emerged, and the competition for the medal became even fiercer. Players like Graham Farmer, one of the greatest ruckmen of all time, and Bob Skilton, who won three Brownlows in the 1960s, captivated fans with their incredible talent and athleticism. The Brownlow Medal ceremony has also evolved over the years, from a small gathering of football officials to a glamorous event broadcast live on national television. It's now a night where the entire AFL community comes together to celebrate the achievements of the game's best players.

Key Moments and Controversies

Of course, no history is complete without a few juicy stories! The Brownlow has had its share of controversial moments and unforgettable finishes. Imagine waiting for a year to know who the best player is. There have been instances where players were deemed ineligible due to suspension, despite having accumulated the most votes. Talk about heartbreak! These situations always spark debate about the fairness of the system and whether a player's on-field behavior should outweigh their performance.

There have also been some incredibly close finishes, where the winner wasn't decided until the very last game of the season. These nail-biting moments add to the drama and excitement of the Brownlow and keep fans on the edge of their seats. One of the most memorable Brownlow Medal counts occurred in 2012 when Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin were initially declared joint winners after Jobe Watson was later deemed ineligible due to the Essendon supplements saga. This controversial decision led to a lot of debate about the integrity of the award and the impact of off-field issues on the Brownlow Medal. Despite the controversies, the Brownlow Medal remains one of the most prestigious individual awards in Australian sport. It's a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of the players who have won it, and it continues to be a source of fascination and debate for footy fans across the country.

List of AFL Brownlow Medal Winners

Alright, drumroll please! Here's a comprehensive list of all the Brownlow Medal winners throughout history. Get ready for some serious football nostalgia!

• 1924: Edward "Carji" Greeves (Geelong)
• 1925: Colin Watson (South Melbourne)
• 1926: Ivor Warne-Smith (Melbourne)
• 1927: Syd Coventry (Collingwood)
• 1928: Ivor Warne-Smith (Melbourne)
• 1929: Albert Collier (Collingwood)
• 1930: Harry Collier (Collingwood)
• 1931: Haydn Bunton Sr. (Fitzroy)
• 1932: Haydn Bunton Sr. (Fitzroy)
• 1933: Haydn Bunton Sr. (Fitzroy)
• 1934: Dick Reynolds (Essendon)
• 1935: Brian Stinton (South Melbourne)
• 1936: Albie Morrison (St Kilda)
• 1937: Dick Reynolds (Essendon)
• 1938: Dick Reynolds (Essendon)
• 1939: Marcus Whelan (Collingwood)
• 1940: Herbie Matthews (South Melbourne)
• 1941: Norman Ware (Footscray)
• 1942: Don Fraser (Essendon)
• 1943: Tommy Bedford (Carlton)
• 1944: Bob Chitty (Carlton)
• 1945: Charles Sutton (Footscray)
• 1946: Don Cordner (South Melbourne)
• 1947: Bert Deacon (Carlton)
• 1948: Bill Morris (Richmond)
• 1949: Colin Austen (Richmond)
• 1950: Allan Ruthven (Fitzroy)
• 1951: Bernie Smith (Geelong)
• 1952: Roy Wright (Richmond)
• 1953: Bill Hutchison (Essendon)
• 1954: Neil Roberts (St Kilda)
• 1955: Fred Goldsmith (South Melbourne)
• 1956: Peter Box (Footscray)
• 1957: Graham Gahan (Fitzroy)
• 1958: Neil Roberts (St Kilda)
• 1959: Brian Gleeson (St Kilda)
• 1960: John James (Carlton)
• 1961: Brian Sierakowski (Carlton)
• 1962: Alistair Lord (Geelong)
• 1963: Bob Skilton (South Melbourne)
• 1964: Gordon Collis (Carlton)
• 1965: Noel Teasdale (North Melbourne) and Ian Stewart (St Kilda)
• 1966: Ian Stewart (St Kilda)
• 1967: Bob Skilton (South Melbourne)
• 1968: Bob Skilton (South Melbourne)
• 1969: Tony Nicholls (South Melbourne)
• 1970: Peter Bedford (South Melbourne)
• 1971: Ian Stewart (Richmond)
• 1972: Len Thompson (Collingwood)
• 1973: Keith Greig (North Melbourne)
• 1974: Keith Greig (North Melbourne)
• 1975: Gary Dempsey (Footscray)
• 1976: Graham Moss (Essendon)
• 1977: Graham Teasdale (South Melbourne)
• 1978: Malcolm Blight (North Melbourne)
• 1979: Peter Moore (Collingwood)
• 1980: Kelvin Templeton (Footscray)
• 1981: Barry Round (South Melbourne) and Bernie Quinlan (Fitzroy)
• 1982: Brian Wilson (Melbourne)
• 1983: Terry Daniher (Essendon)
• 1984: Tony Lockett (St Kilda)
• 1985: Brad Hardie (Footscray)
• 1986: Robert Dipierdomenico (Hawthorn)
• 1987: Tony McGuinness (Footscray)
• 1988: Gerard Healy (Sydney)
• 1989: Paul Couch (Geelong)
• 1990: Tony Liberatore (Footscray)
• 1991: Jim Stynes (Melbourne)
• 1992: Scott Wynd (Footscray)
• 1993: Gavin Wanganeen (Essendon)
• 1994: Greg Anderson (Brisbane)
• 1995: Paul Kelly (Sydney)
• 1996: James Hird (Essendon) and Michael Voss (Brisbane)
• 1997: Robert Harvey (St Kilda)
• 1998: Robert Harvey (St Kilda)
• 1999: Shane Crawford (Hawthorn)
• 2000: Shane Woewodin (Melbourne)
• 2001: Jason Akermanis (Brisbane)
• 2002: Simon Black (Brisbane)
• 2003: Nathan Buckley (Collingwood), Adam Goodes (Sydney) and Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide)
• 2004: Chris Judd (West Coast)
• 2005: James Hird (Essendon)
• 2006: Adam Goodes (Sydney)
• 2007: Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)
• 2008: Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)
• 2009: Gary Ablett Jr. (Geelong)
• 2010: Chris Judd (Carlton)
• 2011: Dane Swan (Collingwood)
• 2012: Trent Cotchin (Richmond) and Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) [Awarded retrospectively after Jobe Watson was deemed ineligible]
• 2013: Gary Ablett Jr. (Gold Coast)
• 2014: Matt Priddis (West Coast)
• 2015: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
• 2016: Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
• 2017: Dustin Martin (Richmond)
• 2018: Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
• 2019: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
• 2020: Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
• 2021: Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
• 2022: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
• 2023: Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)

Who Has Won the Most Brownlow Medals?

Alright, let's talk about the legends! Who are the players who have dominated the Brownlow count over the years? Well, there are five players who have each won the Brownlow Medal three times:

• Dick Reynolds: A legend of the Essendon Football Club, Reynolds won the Brownlow in 1934, 1937, and 1938.
• Haydn Bunton Sr.: Bunton, who played for Fitzroy, won the medal in 1931, 1932, and 1935.
• Bob Skilton: Skilton, a South Melbourne champion, took home the Brownlow in 1963, 1967, and 1968.
• Ian Stewart: Stewart won his first two Brownlows at St Kilda in 1965 (shared with Noel Teasdale) and 1966, before winning his third at Richmond in 1971.
• Lachie Neale: Neale most recently joined the group of three-time winners, securing medals in 2020 and 2023 to add to his 2015 win.

These guys are the crème de la crème of the AFL, and their Brownlow Medal wins are a testament to their incredible talent and consistency.

Multiple Winners

Several players have achieved the incredible feat of winning the Brownlow Medal multiple times, cementing their status as legends of the game. Here's a list of players who have won the Brownlow Medal more than once:

• 3 Wins:
  • Dick Reynolds (Essendon): 1934, 1937, 1938
  • Haydn Bunton Sr. (Fitzroy): 1931, 1932, 1935
  • Bob Skilton (South Melbourne): 1963, 1967, 1968
  • Ian Stewart (St Kilda 1965, 1966; Richmond 1971)
  • Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions): 2020, 2023; (Fremantle) 2015
• 2 Wins:
  • Ivor Warne-Smith (Melbourne): 1926, 1928
  • Neil Roberts (St Kilda): 1954, 1958
  • Keith Greig (North Melbourne): 1973, 1974
  • Robert Harvey (St Kilda): 1997, 1998
  • James Hird (Essendon): 1996 (shared), 2003 (shared)
  • Adam Goodes (Sydney): 2003 (shared), 2006
  • Chris Judd (West Coast 2004, Carlton 2010)
  • Gary Ablett Jr. (Geelong 2009, Gold Coast 2013)
  • Nat Fyfe (Fremantle): 2015, 2019

These players have consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and sportsmanship throughout their careers, earning them multiple Brownlow Medals and a place in AFL history.

Clubs with the Most Brownlow Medals

Which clubs have produced the most Brownlow Medalists? Let's break it down:

• Essendon: 12 Medals
• Carlton: 11 Medals
• South Melbourne/Sydney: 11 Medals
• Collingwood: 9 Medals
• St Kilda: 9 Medals

It's interesting to see which clubs have a strong history of producing Brownlow Medalists. It often reflects the overall success and culture of those clubs.

The Brownlow Medal Today

These days, the Brownlow Medal is still hugely important. It's a symbol of excellence and a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players who win it. The Brownlow Medal ceremony is a massive event, with players, coaches, and fans all tuning in to see who will take home the coveted award. The media coverage surrounding the Brownlow is intense, with experts analyzing every vote and predicting who will win. It's a night of glamour, excitement, and occasionally, a few surprises!

Conclusion

So there you have it, everything you need to know about the AFL Brownlow Medal! From its humble beginnings to its current status as one of the most prestigious individual awards in Australian sport, the Brownlow has a rich history and a bright future. Whether you're a die-hard AFL fan or just a casual observer, the Brownlow Medal is something that everyone can appreciate. It's a celebration of the best and fairest players in the game, and it's a reminder of the passion, skill, and dedication that make Australian football so special.