Matt Rowell shocks AFL world with Brownlow victory as voting controversy simmers

Matt Rowell of the Gold Coast Suns claimed his maiden Brownlow Medal on Monday night at Crown Palladium, stunning many by finishing with 39 votes. The 24-year-old midfielder toppled favorites including Nick Daicos, Bailey Smith and Jordan Dawson to win the award. Rowell’s achievement caps a breakout season that included career-best totals such as 657 disposals and a career-high goal tally, marking only the second time a Suns player has won the Brownlow.

Rowell’s victory came with a seven-vote margin over Daicos, who had been widely expected to win. Daicos finished with 32 votes, while Smith and Dawson trailed. The night also highlighted a notable milestone for Daicos, who became the fourth player in AFL history to accumulate 100 votes within his first 100 games. The ceremony at Crown Palladium drew a mix of fans and players as the league reflected on the season and the award’s voting process.

Controversy swirled around the Brownlow voting as Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game with four goals and 34 touches in Round 20 against Melbourne, finished with 23 votes and was not awarded three votes for that performance. The decision prompted gasps in the Crown Palladium and a chorus of doubt on social media. The St Kilda official X account briefly commented on the decision and later posted an image of Wanganeen-Milera alongside teammates, which drew attention from fans. Other clubs and commentators questioned the voting, arguing that the accepted three-vote standard did not reflect that performance.

Further scrutiny followed as some fans noted that Rowell received three votes in games where his disposals were not particularly high. For instance, in Round 3 against Adelaide, Rowell had 17 disposals, and in Round 7 against Sydney, he had 16 disposals, yet both performances earned him three votes. In contrast, Noah Anderson, who had a strong Round 10 win over Hawthorn with 35 disposals and seven score involvements, finished with zero votes. The disproportion sparked debate about whether the current voting method adequately reflects performances across the season.

Social media was rife with reactions, with fans calling the Brownlow a mockery, arguing that certain verdicts did not align with on-field impact. Some commenters urged a review of the voting process, including calls for removing umpires from the voting or restructuring how votes are allocated after every game. Amid the disagreement, Rowell’s victory stands as a milestone for the Suns, who now have two Brownlow winners in club history and a season marked by strong individual performances from players across the roster.

Looking ahead, Daicos remains a major contender for future Brownlows, having collected a large share of attention during the season and adding a historic 100-vote milestone in his first 100 games. The award’s voting system continues to be debated by fans and analysts alike, with official details reiterating that votes are cast by umpires after each game and tallied at the ceremony. The 2025 Brownlow Medal thus ended with a surprising result and a broader conversation about credibility and how best to measure individual excellence in AFL.