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.
2. Adam Cooney (2008)
Entering Brownlow night it was expected that the medal was Gary Ablett Jnr's to lose despite only playing 18 games that season. The night itself had may stories, from the crowd getting behind 34-year-old Matthew Richardson as he rose up the ranks, but it was Cooney's acceptance speech that had the footy world in stitches.
The former Bulldog was an outside chance going into the night after a strong season in midfield and in front of goals. But Cooney, who had clearly not expected to win the award, didn't prepare a speech and had enjoyed a few quiet ones throughout the night, which made for excellent viewing as the accepted the award.
Cooney's 2008 Brownlow victory was certainly one of the most shocking - and entertaining - in the award's history.
