Fremantle's Nat Fyfe has added a second 'Charlie' to his collection, taking home the 2019 Brownlow Medal, beating out Patrick Dangerfield and Patrick Cripps.
The Dockers skipper finished on 33 votes to take home the game's highest honour, following on from his 2015 win to become the 15th player to claim multiple medals.
Fyfe averaged 29 disposals, 18 of them contested, and four tackles a game in 2019, kicking 16 goals along the way.
Two-time #Brownlow winner! pic.twitter.com/Uy3TM2y2yY
— AFL (@AFL) September 23, 2019
"A bit surreal. Incredibly humbling," Fyfe said of his emotions upon recieving his second Brownlow.
"Since I broke my leg in 2015 and '16 there has been question marks whether I will be able to get back to my absolute best, those question marks motivated me.
"I knew if I dialled down on my preparation and worked at my role as captain with our leaders that I could get back to being the best player I possibly could be. This is incredibly rewarding for the effort that I have put in."
In one of the most open counts in years, several players looked in the box seat to take out the award at various stages throughout the night.
Cripps, Marcus Bontempelli, Tim Kelly and Lachie Neale all flew out of the blocks, while Fyfe and Dangerfield stayed in the hunt.
Despite Fremantle missing the finals, Fyfe consistently polled to open up enough of a lead to hold off the fast-finishing 2016 winner in Dangerfield.
2019 Brownlow Medal Top 10
- Nat Fyfe 33 votes
- Patrick Dangerfield 27
- Patrick Cripps 26
- Lachie Neale 26
- Tim Kelly 24
- Brodie Grundy
- Dustin Martin 23*
- Marcus Bontempelli 22
- Jack Macrae 22
- Dayne Zorko 19
As for the other awards on the evening, Liam Ryan took out the Mark of the Year for his big hanger on Max Gawn, while Eddie Betts made it an incredible four Goal of the Year gongs for his special effort against the Suns.
Liam Ryan takes home the JLT Mark of the Year! #Brownlow pic.twitter.com/cqYUhhM6oF
— AFL (@AFL) September 23, 2019
Eddie Betts has claimed the Coates Hire Goal of the Year for the fourth time!#Brownlow pic.twitter.com/HBkkXC7bzM
— AFL (@AFL) September 23, 2019
GWS midfielder Stephen Coniglio, who finished 13th with 17 votes, took out the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his work in the multicultural community in Western Sydney.
