With the AFL award season upon us and the Brownlow just a few weeks away, we decided to have a look at some of the most contentious, controversial and unbelievable Brownlow Medal moments throughout history.
3. Matt Priddis (2014)
In a thrilling count, West Coast's curly-haired midfielder Matt Priddis walked away a Brownlow Medal winner. Priddis had a great season for the Eagles and was the focal point of the midfield, but considering he missed out on All-Australian honours, was not expected to poll well.
Despite polling 26 votes, Priddis can consider himself very lucky as his main competitors fell through injury and suspension. Cross-town rival Nat Fyfe polled 25 votes but was ineligible after being suspended twice, while Gold Coast's Gary Ablett Jnr polled 22 votes before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in round 16.
Matt Priddis is the third man on the esteemed list of West Coast Brownlow Medallists, joining Chris Judd and Ben Cousins, but you can't help but think what could have happened if Fyfe avoided the tribunal and Ablett played the remaining seven rounds.
