DECORATED midfielder Gary Ablett has clinched his second Brownlow Medal in emphatic fashion, securing three votes in the final Round of the season to finish one vote ahead of Geelong skipper Joel Selwood.
Trailing by two votes heading into the final Premiership round, Ablett secured the maximum three votes on offer following his best on-field performance against Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium.
Polling votes on twelve occasions during his 21 senior appearances, including eight best-afield top votes, Ablett was crowned the 2013 winner and a dual Brownlow Medallist – finishing the Medal count with 28 votes.
Close friend and Cats captain Joel Selwood, who enjoyed a late surge in the count, finished with 27 votes while 2011 Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan finished on 26 votes – unable to poll a vote in the final round of competition.
After polling an equal Brownlow record 20 votes at the Round 12 mark, the heavily-backed favourite had built a hard-to-beat buffer on his nearest challenges.
Becoming the first Gold Coast SUNS player to win the a Brownlow Medal, Ablett was humble as he was recognised as the League’s Best & Fairest for the second time in his career.
“It’s an honour,” Ablett said.
“It has been a challenging three years up there (on the Gold Coast) and I knew when I made the decision to move to the Gold Coast that it was going to take time.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with everyone at the Club and I love all my team mates and I couldn’t be here without you guys.”
In a sign of great humility, Ablett appeared disappointed when he polled the maximum votes in Round 23, the three points lifting him one point clear of Selwood on the points table, Ablett conceding he was hoping to collect two votes when AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou read out the final votes of the year.
“I did want the two; I was actually shattered when I got the three because Joel deserves to be up here as much as I do.
“He’s a very good friend and a fantastic leader.”
With the talk of Gold Coast playing finals footy in 2014, Ablett said he was determined to help deliver the city a Premiership before he called time on his illustrious career.
“I really want to win a Premiership up there before my time is up.”
Gold Coast SUNS Brownlow Medal Tally
Round 1- Gold Coast SUNS vs. St. Kilda
R. Thompson 1 vote (GC SUNS), J. Geary 2 votes (Adel), G. Ablett 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 2 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Sydney
C. Dixon 1 vote (GC SUNS), K. Jack 2 votes (Syd), J. McVeigh 3 votes (Syd)
Round 3 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Brisbane
P. Hanley 1 vote (Bris), J. Brown 2 votes (Bris), D. Rich 3 votes (Bris)
Round 4 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Port Adelaide
J. Westhoff 1 vote (Port), H. Hartlett 2 votes (Port), K. Kornes 3 votes (Port)
Round 5 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. GWS Giants
G. Ablett 1 vote (GC SUNS), Z. Smith 2 votes (GC SUNS), C. Dixon 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 6 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Fremantle
J. Harbrow 1 vote (GC SUNS), J. Griffen 2 votes (Freo), M. Walters 4 votes (Freo)
Round 7 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Melbourne
H. Bennell 1 vote (GC SUNS), D. Prestia 2 votes (GC SUNS), G. Ablett 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 8 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Western Bulldogs
C. Brown 1 vote (GC SUNS), J. O’Meara 2 votes (GC SUNS), G. Ablett 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 9 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Hawthorn
S. Burgoyne 1 vote (Hawk), S. Mitchell 2 votes (Hawk), G. Ablett 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 10 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Geelong
M. Duncan 1 vote (Gee), G. Ablett 2 votes (GC SUNS), J. Bartell 3 votes (Gee)
Round 11 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. North Melbourne
J. Harbrow 1 vote (GC SUNS), D. Prestia 2 votes (GC SUNS), G. Ablett 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 12 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Essendon
P. Ryder 1 vote (Ess), G. Ablett 2 votes (GC SUNS), B. Goddard 3 votes (Ess)
Round 13 – Bye
Round 14 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Adelaide
B. Crouch 1 vote (Adel), P. Dangerfield 2 votes (Adel), D. Prestia 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 15 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Brisbane
J. Brennan 1 vote (GC SUNS), P. Hanley 2 votes (Bris), M. Leuenberger 3 votes (Bris)
Round 16 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Richmond
G. Ablett 1 vote (GC SUNS), D. Martin 2 votes (Rich), D. Jackson 3 votes (Rich)
Round 17 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Collingwood
T. Nicholls 1 vote (GC SUNS), J. O’Meara 2 votes (GC SUNS), G. Ablett 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 18 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Carlton
G. Ablett 1 vote (GC SUNS), L. Henderson 2 votes (Carl), M. Kreuzer 3 votes (Carl)
Round 19 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. West Coast
H. Bennell 1 vote (GC SUNS), J. Kennedy 2 votes (West), D. Cox 3 votes (West)
Round 20 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Melbourne
D. Swallow 1 vote (GC SUNS), J. Viney 2 votes (Melb), H. Bennell 3 votes (GC SUNS)
Round 21 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Port Adelaide
B. Ebert 1 vote (Port), H. Bennell 2 votes (GC SUNS), T. Boak 3 votes (Port)
Round 22 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. St Kilda
N. Dal Santo 1 vote (St. Kilda), N. Reiwoldt 2 votes (St. Kilda), L. Montana 3 votes (St. Kilda)
Round 23 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Greater Western Sydney
R. Thompson 1 vote (GC SUNS), D. Prestia 2 votes (GC SUNS), G. Ablett 3 votes (GC SUNS)
