The Brownlow Medal is the AFL’s highest individual honour, awarded to the player judged the “best and fairest” throughout the home-and-away season. First presented in 1924, it has grown into one of the most prestigious accolades in Australian sport. Winning a Brownlow isn’t just about racking up disposals or goals it’s about more than that, it is about playing elite footy while upholding the integrity of the game.
From pioneers like Haydn Bunton Sr. and Dick Reynolds to modern stars like Patrick Cripps and Matt Rowell, the Brownlow has long been a showcase of top talent and sportsmanship. Our team here at Joe Fortune thought it would be worth having a closer look at the legends who’ve won it, how the voting works, and the standout records over the years.
Brownlow Medal Winners List
Over the past century, the Brownlow Medal has been awarded to some of the greatest names in Aussie Rules. While midfielders dominate in the modern era, the award has a rich history across all positions. Here are the most recent Brownlow Medal winners:
| Year | Winner | Club | Votes |
| 2025 | Matt Rowell | Gold Coast Suns | 39 |
| 2024 | Patrick Cripps | Carlton | 45 |
| 2023 | Lachie Neale | Brisbane Lions | 31 |
| 2022 | Patrick Cripps | Carlton | 29 |
| 2021 | Ollie Wines | Port Adelaide | 36 |
| 2020 | Lachie Neale | Brisbane Lions | 31 |
| 2019 | Nat Fyfe | Fremantle Dockers | 33 |
| 2018 | Tom Mitchell | Hawthorn | 28 |
| 2017 | Dustin Martin | Richmond | 36 |
| 2016 | Patrick Dangerfield | Geelong Cats | 35 |
In 2024, Patrick Cripps cemented his legacy by polling a record-breaking 45 votes, setting a new benchmark for excellence. Then in 2025, Matt Rowell stormed home with 39 votes in what is considered a real upset as Nick Daicos, Collingwood, was the bookies’ short-priced favourite to improve on his two previous podium finishes.
How Is the Brownlow Winner Selected?
Unlike many awards judged by panels or media, the Brownlow is decided by the AFL’s field umpires. After each home-and-away match, the three field umpires confer and award votes to the players they believe were best on ground, using a 3-2-1 format:
- 3 votes for best on ground
- 2 votes for second best
- 1 vote for third best
These votes are kept top secret until the Brownlow Medal count, usually held on the Monday night before the Grand Final. The votes are read out round by round, building suspense and drama that fans love. However, there’s a twist — a player becomes ineligible to win the Brownlow if they are suspended during the season for an on-field incident by the AFL Tribunal. They can still poll votes but won’t be awarded the medal. This “fairest” clause sets the Brownlow apart, rewarding both elite skill and clean play.
Who Has Won the Most Brownlow Medals?
Only four players in history have won the Brownlow Medal three times and all of them are AFL legends. Here they are:
Triple Brownlow Winners:
- Haydn Bunton Sr. – Fitzroy – 1931, 1932, 1935
- Dick Reynolds – Essendon – 1934, 1937, 1938
- Bob Skilton – South Melbourne – 1959, 1963, 1968
- Ian Stewart – St Kilda / Richmond – 1965, 1966, 1971
Who Were Stripped of their Brownlow Medals?
Several players have famously missed out on Brownlow Medal glory due to suspension or later controversy. In 1996, Corey McKernan of North Melbourne polled enough votes to be a joint winner alongside James Hird and Michael Voss but was ruled ineligible due to suspension.
A year later in 1997, Chris Grant of the Western Bulldogs suffered a similar fate, suspended during the season, he polled enough votes to have won the medal outright, finishing just one vote ahead of Robert Harvey.
Then in 2012, Jobe Watson was initially awarded the Brownlow Medal after polling 30 votes, ahead of Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin. However, following the fallout from the Essendon supplements saga, Watson was retrospectively ruled ineligible in 2016, and the medal was subsequently awarded jointly to Mitchell and Cotchin.
Who Is the Youngest Brownlow Winner?
The youngest player to ever win the Brownlow Medal was Essendon legend Dick Reynolds, in 1934, at 19 years and 90 days. Second on the list was in 1924 when Edward ‘Carji’ Greeves won the award at 20 years and 312 days old. Chris Judd made headlines when he won the 2004 Brownlow at age 21, and Nat Fyfe was just 23 when he claimed his first in 2015. These days, a young player winning the Brownlow is a sign they’re something truly special. With emerging stars like Nick Daicos and Errol Gulden the AFL may soon see another youngster enter the record books again soon.
Brownlow Trivia & Fun Facts
Here are some Brownlow nuggets that footy fans will love:
- Most votes in a season: Patrick Cripps (2024) – 45 votes (record).
- First winner: Edward ‘Carji’ Greeves (Geelong) in 1924.
- Most votes by an ineligible player: Corey McKernan (1996) and Jobe Watson (2012), both would’ve won but were ruled out due to suspension and a later retrospective ruling, respectively.
- Most Brownlow votes over a career: 262 by Gary Ablett Jr, he consistently polled high across more than a decade.
Teams Who have Won the Most Brownlow Medals
The South Melbourne/Sydney Swans hold the record for the most Brownlow Medals by a club, with a total of 14 wins. Their success stretches across decades, with standout years including 1940, 1949, 1955, 1959, 1963, 1968, 1970, and more recently in 2003 and 2006.
Coming in equal second are the Footscray/Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, each with 10 Brownlow wins. The Bulldogs’ medals span from 1930 through to 2008, including memorable years like 1941, 1985, and 1990. St Kilda’s Brownlow history is equally impressive, with victories in 1925, 1957, 1965, and back-to-back wins in 1997 and 1998. These clubs have not only produced top players but have helped shape the Brownlow’s legacy across generations.
Teams Who have Won the Least Brownlow Medals
Some clubs have had fewer Brownlow successes, but their wins still hold special significance. The Brisbane Bears recorded their sole Brownlow Medal in 1996, just before the club merged with Fitzroy. Adelaide notched its only Brownlow in 2003, while Port Adelaide joined the list more recently, with Ollie Wines taking home the medal in 2021, the first ever for the Power.
Why the Brownlow Still Matters
The Brownlow Medal remains one of the most celebrated traditions in the AFL. It rewards not just elite performance, but sportsmanship and consistency across a long, gruelling season. For players, it’s the ultimate individual accolade. For fans, it’s a night of suspense, celebration, and sometimes heartbreak.
In a game that’s becoming more professional and tactical each year, the Brownlow still honours the values at the heart of footy i.e. the skill, fairness, and hard work. Whether it’s a gritty inside mid, a silky ball user, or a breakaway superstar, Brownlow winners are the players who define their seasons.
Final Thoughts
The Brownlow Medal isn’t just about numbers on a stat sheet, it’s about impact, leadership, and consistency. Whether it’s Cripps’ record-breaking 2024, Rowell’s breakthrough 2025, or legendary three-time winners from decades past, each Brownlow winner becomes a permanent part of AFL folklore.
With 2 current players, Lachie Neale and Patrick Cripps both having won two Brownlow Medals there is a chance that in the next couple or so years we might have another player joining the small number of players to have won the award three times! As footy evolves and new stars emerge, one thing remains true: if you win a Brownlow, you’ve done something truly bloody special.