Matt Rowell claims stunning Brownlow Medal win on a night of controversy

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Gold Coast Suns star Matt Rowell has won this season’s Brownlow Medal in stunning scenes at Melbourne’s Crown casino.

The top pick in the 2019 national draft, Rowell, now 24, started the night like a freight train – polling a perfect 12 votes from his first four matches of the season (a record) and taking a commanding early lead over the likes of last year’s runner-up and Collingwood favourite son Nick Daicos, Geelong star Bailey Smith, and Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson.

Daicos, in particular, pushed Rowell in the closing rounds of the count, but the hard-nosed Suns midfielder won by seven with 39 votes.

Rowell’s win was a boilover, given Daicos was widely considered the pre-count favourite. He was eight votes clear with two votes remaining in the count – 37 to 29. Daicos, meanwhile, was the runner-up for the second-straight year.

In the latter stages of the count, there was complete disbelief in the room when Melbourne veteran Jack Viney was awarded three votes, and St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera only two, despite the latter leading the Saints to a remarkable come-from-behind win over Melbourne in round 20. Wanganeen-Milera had 34 disposals and four goals, including two goals in a stunning final minute, as the Saints overcame a 46-point deficit at three quarter-time to win. It was the biggest comeback from the final change to win in league history. Viney had 23 touches and one goal.
Cats star Jeremy Cameron even singled for a review of the count after the votes were awarded.

There were even Bronx cheers when Wanganeen-Milera was awarded three votes for his performance against North Melbourne in the next round.

The Suns enjoyed their maiden finals campaign this season, with Rowell averaging almost 27 disposals per game. His robust work at stoppages and new-found burst of speed was central to the Suns’ rise - and the umpires acknowledged his contribution.

He becomes the second Sun to claim the sport’s top individual honour, joining Gary Ablett jnr (2013).

More to come