Mammoth Brownlow Medal vote tallies could become a thing of the past with a big change set to happen to the award in 2026.
After Patrick Cripps polled 45 votes in 2024 to win 'Charlie' and Matt Rowell won with 39 votes in 2025, AFL football boss Greg Swann is likely bringing in a new tool for the umpires to help with voting.
After home-and-away games in the 2026 season, umpires are set to have access to statistics to help them decide the votes for matches, reports the Herald Sun
Experienced AFL umpire Simon Meredith was quoted as saying statistics would be a great assistance to officials figuring out votes post-match.
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“If you get stats, I’m sure that would add something that we could look at, to help us," he said.
Rowell received three votes in each of three games he didn't receive coaches votes in, while he also controversially polled two in another game.
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Matt Rowell questionable 2025 Brownlow Medal votes
- Round 4 vs. Adelaide - 3 Brownlow votes, 0 coaches votes - 17 disposals, 8 tackles, 8 clangers
- Round 7 vs. Sydney - 3 Brownlow votes, 0 coaches votes - 16 disposals, 7 clearances, 10 clangers
- Round 9 vs Western Bulldogs - 3 Brownlow votes, 0 coaches votes - 20 disposals, 5 clearances
- Round 17 vs Essendon - 2 Brownlow votes, 0 coaches votes - 15 disposals, 17 tackles