Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Matt Rowell has made history tonight, becoming the club’s second Brownlow Medal winner.
Rowell’s remarkable season reached new heights at the Crown Palladium on Monday night, adding the AFL’s highest individual honour to the mantelpiece with a club record 39 votes, finishing seven votes ahead of runner-up Nick Daicos.
He started the count in blistering fashion, becoming the first player in history to poll a perfect 12 votes from his opening four games of the season.
Rowell would go on to poll in 16 matches, including eight three-vote games to finish with the second most votes polled under the current 3-2-1 voting format.
As one of seven Gold Coast players to feature in every game this season, Rowell reaffirmed his reputation as one of the AFL’s best contested players, averaging career-best figures in disposals (26.3 per game), tackles (8.6 per game) and clearances (8.2 per game) whilst also elevating his outside game (12.5 uncontested possessions per game).
The 24-year-old finished the campaign as #1 in the AFL for clearances, #2 for centre clearances and tackles, #3 for contested possessions as well as sitting inside the league’s top 10 in inside 50s, total handballs and total disposals.
He also became a first-time All Australian, joining captain Noah Anderson as the first pair of SUNS players to earn All Australian blazers in the same season.
Rowell joins Gary Ablett Jnr as SUNS Brownlow Medal winners following the little master’s win in 2013.
“Congratulations to Matt on what is a remarkable personal achievement and a celebration for his family, friends and for our football club,” Senior Coach Damien Hardwick said.
“He has stepped up into our leadership group for the first time this season, and alongside taking his personal game to another level, has played a key role in seeing us take some big steps forward as a football club.
“He polled well at last year’s count and it’s no surprise to those who have worked closely with him that he’s gone even better this season. He just wants to continue improving and learning, and it is a privilege to have him at our football club.
“He’s now played more than 100 consecutive games and given his absolute all in every single one of those – he’s an absolute joy to coach and I know he’s the kind of player every player wants standing alongside them.
“We could not be prouder of him earning the accolades he richly deserves.”
Gold Coast SUNS CEO Mark Evans congratulated Rowell on becoming the club’s second Brownlow medallist.
“Not only is this an incredible personal achievement for Matt, but for everyone who has played a part in his journey along the way. Congratulations first and foremost to Matt’s family; Mum Louise, Father Dave and sisters Maggie and Jess for everything they have done to help him get to this position,” Evans said.
“It has been a pleasure seeing Matt develop as both a player and a person, and most recently a leader, over the past five seasons. His name will now forever sit alongside some of the game’s greats as a Brownlow Medal winner, and just the second for our club.
“We look forward to providing our members and fans with the opportunity to congratulate Matt in the near future.”
Click here to secure your piece of history with official Matt Rowell Brownlow Medallist memorabilia.
