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Matt Rowell Wins 2025 Brownlow Medal With 39 Votes in Major Upset

Controversial round allocations in the umpire-decided count renewed scrutiny of the voting process.

Overview

  • The Gold Coast midfielder finished on 39 votes, the second-highest tally in Brownlow history, ahead of Nick Daicos on 32 and Bailey Smith on 29.
  • Rowell became the first player to earn maximum votes in each of his first four games, logged eight best-on-grounds, and polled across 17 matches.
  • His breakout season also powered the Suns to their first finals campaign, and he joins Gary Ablett Jr as the club’s second Brownlow medallist.
  • Late-count controversy flared when Jack Viney received three votes over Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s Round 20 heroics, fueling debate about umpire voting even as some defended the award’s tradition.
  • Daicos recorded his third straight podium finish as pre-count expectations of a tight five-man race gave way to Rowell’s wire-to-wire lead.