Brownlow Medal 2023

[MrMahatma]

Mr Football is a disappointment then?

Never saw him play.

[jazzadogs]

Who honestly cares that Bont missed a Brownlow. I'm dirty he missed September action altogether, let alone not playing this week.

The whole "Bont was robbed" narrative is a little nauseating to be honest. It started when Greene was voted AA captain, which was a total line-ball decision and easily justifiable (Moore, Sicily and Dawson had claims as well, if slightly below Greene and Bont). Was Bont robbed against Hawthorn and West Coast late in the season when he performed poorly and didn't get his team over the line and into finals? He had a Brownlow in his control (not that he would care about individual awards) and simply didn't get it done. Enough with the professional victimhood.

Bont had an elite season for the vast majority of 2023 but as a club we missed out on finals - that's all we should be concerned about. The club needs to get better and fast please, like starting in 2024. And maybe sustain the success next time.

I agree with most of your post but have to talk to this...

Clearly our best against the Eagles. 32 touches including 20 and a goal in the second half, 10 tackles, 12 clearances - I'm not sure he could have done more.

Against the Hawks he was very effectively negated once Libba was out and all the focus was on him - again, a bit of support from his teammates would have been nice.

I think Bont maintained a very high level in most games. What I find frustrating is that an outstanding individual player has lost two brownlows because of an inability of his teammates to stand up and support him. I wanted him to win for the same reason he should have been AA captain - he carried this team on his back for most of the year.

[bulldogtragic]

Never saw him play.

Never won a Norm Smith or Brownlow. Yet we named medals, ovals and bridges after him?

I don’t think a medal makes the man. EJ or Marcus.

[bornadog]

Mr Football is a disappointment then?

no he isn't because the Brownlow is for FAIREST and best

[EasternWest]

I wish he won it. Whatever we think of the award, phrases such as "Brownlow Medallist" "Premiership Player" "Norm Smith Medallist" can make a difference to the individual player's legacy, and no doubt to life post footy.

It's a reasonable point.

Probably more pertinent for Shane Woewodin to wedge "Brownlow Medallist" into his CV.

My suspicion is Bont will be fine post footy .

[SquirrelGrip]

I think order of legacy is as follows:

Multiple Norm Smith Medallist
Multiple Premiership Player
Multiple Brownlow Medallist
Norm Smith Medallist
Premiership Captain
Multiple All-Australian
Club B&F in Premiership Year
Premiership Player
Brownlow Medallist
Multiple Club B&F
Coleman Medallist
Single All Australian
Other Random AFL Awards

[jazzadogs]

I think order of legacy is as follows:

Multiple Norm Smith Medallist
Multiple Premiership Player
Multiple Brownlow Medallist
Norm Smith Medallist
Premiership Captain
Multiple All-Australian
Club B&F in Premiership Year
Premiership Player
Brownlow Medallist
Multiple Club B&F
Coleman Medallist
Single All Australian
Other Random AFL Awards

Somewhere in there is just 'club legend'.

[Sedat]

I agree with most of your post but have to talk to this...

Clearly our best against the Eagles. 32 touches including 20 and a goal in the second half, 10 tackles, 12 clearances - I'm not sure he could have done more.

Against the Hawks he was very effectively negated once Libba was out and all the focus was on him - again, a bit of support from his teammates would have been nice.

I think Bont maintained a very high level in most games. What I find frustrating is that an outstanding individual player has lost two brownlows because of an inability of his teammates to stand up and support him. I wanted him to win for the same reason he should have been AA captain - he carried this team on his back for most of the year.

Very fair on the West Coast game, although we still didn't get over the line against a competition laughing stock who lost by 100+ points the week before and weren't even incentivized to win. Bont should be racking up those numbers in his sleep against such an inept opposition - and yes the rest of the team were unspeakably poor on the day.

The Hawthorn game was poor from Bont (and many others). The one criticism in his game is that he struggles with a hard negating tag, and he clearly didn't handle the heat Maginnes put on him in Tassie. Newcombe completely owned that game and Bont didn't. It cost him individually and the team collectively.

We need to get better as a club, even Bont. The minute you stand still, you're finished. Ultimately that's all I care about.

[angelopetraglia]

If Lachie Neale won last year which he would have if Cripps didn't get off on a technicalilty loophole that now has been closed, he would be a three time winner and that would place him in the rarest of air, alongside legends Hayden Bunton Sr, Dick Reynolds, Bob Skilton and Ian Stewart.

Lachie Neale is a good footballer, but is he legend status worthy?

I just think it highlights we put too much weight on the Brownlow medal.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

If Lachie Neale won last year which he would have if Cripps didn't get off on a technicalilty loophole that now has been closed, he would be a three time winner and that would place him in the rarest of air, alongside legends Hayden Bunton Sr, Dick Reynolds, Bob Skilton and Ian Stewart.

Lachie Neale is a good footballer, but is he legend status worthy?

I just think it highlights we put too much weight on the Brownlow medal.

I think we need to stop looking at the brownlow as THE medal. Are umpires opinions on the best players continually sought out during the season? Do we see umpires interviewed throughout the season? No we don't. No one would give a damn what umpires think. Yet we take their opinion when rewarding the most prestigious award of the year. It's so weird.

[angelopetraglia]

I think order of legacy is as follows:

Multiple Norm Smith Medallist
Multiple Premiership Player
Multiple Brownlow Medallist
Norm Smith Medallist
Premiership Captain
Multiple All-Australian
Club B&F in Premiership Year
Premiership Player
Brownlow Medallist
Multiple Club B&F
Coleman Medallist
Single All Australian
Other Random AFL Awards

Club B&F in a Premiership year I would value much higher.

[jazzadogs]

Club B&F in a Premiership year I would value much higher.

I agree within a club that's right...but how many can you name off the top of your head? I'd have no idea who won Richmond's b&fs, or west coast in 2018. Even Melbourne 2021 I'd be guessing that petracca won it from Oliver?

I think realistically it's actually LOWER on the list below premiership player, Brownlow medallist and Coleman medallist, in terms of recognition from football community.

[azabob]

Club B&F in a Premiership year I would value much higher.

Agree with this. Not sure there is a greater individual accolade in football.

[mjp]

Of the inaugural legends elected to the HOF:

Whitten
Cazaly
Barrassi
Matthews
Nicholls
Coleman
Dyer
Bunton Snr - Triple Brownlow AND Triple Sandover.
Farmer - Triple Sandover
Reynolds - Double Brownlow
Skilton - Triple Brownlow
Pratt
Steward - Triple Brownlow
Coventry
Hudson
Bartlett
Robran - 3 Magarey
Hutchison - 2 Brownlow
McHale
Baldock
Smith
Jesaulenko
Murray - 1 brownlow
Hart

...

I could keep going...it sort of seems as if 'Legends' have LOTS of individual medals...or NONE.

I don't think Matthew's reputation was harmed by what he didn't win. As he famously said when asked by one of his Lions' players after their 3rd flag "Leigh, where would you be without us?"..."I'd just have to be happy with being the greatest player of all time I guess"...

[jazzadogs]

When was the last time a Brownlow medallist didn't even win their own best and fairest?

Lachie Neale finishes second to Harris Andrews.