Adam Cooney has taken out this years Brownlow Medal, finishing on 24 votes, after having a stellar season with the Western Bulldogs. Once again the medal count went down to the wire and it wasn’t until round 21 that Cooney took the lead from the 2002 Brownlow Medallist from the Lions, Simon Black.
The 22-year-old became one of the Brownlow favourites early in the season but his odds drifted out in the second half of the season when the Bulldogs started to decline and it was reported Cooney was struggling with an injury.
Recruited by the Bulldogs in the 2003 Nation Draft, Cooney becomes the first ever number one draft pick to win a Brownlow Medal.
Once again Gary Ablett fell two votes short of taking home Charlie despite being a heavily back favourite throughout the year, joining Ablett on 22 votes was crowd favourite coming in at 33 years of age, Matthew Richardson, who had his best season for the Tigers playing on the wing.
James Bartel was no where to be seen despite being heavily backed by punters and after having a great run home late in the season with the Cats. Joel Selwood was a smoky coming into the night and gave it a good run finishing 6th on 19 votes.
Coming in forth and fifth spots were two ineligible players, two time Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes and the star forward from the Hawks Lance Franklin.
Brent Harvey struggled to poll votes despite being one of the favourites and finished in 7th place on 17 votes along with Matthew Pavlich.
All-Australian skipper Chris Judd and Hawk Brad Sewell rounded up the top 10 both on 16 votes.
Do you think Cooney is a worthy winner of the Brownlow Medal? Comment below.
