A “rattled” Lachie Neale couldn’t believe he won a second Brownlow Medal, after pipping Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli by just two votes.
In a season where he missed All Australian honours and admitted his form at one point was “average” – as the competition’s 284th ranked player over a tough month – Neale still took home footy’s top honour on Monday night.
Neale was deemed best on ground in the final round to jump to 31 votes and join the likes of Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe, Gary Ablett, Chris Judd and Adam Goodes as a two-time winner.
Watch Fox Footy’s massive Grand Final Day coverage on Kayo including the Grand Final Breakfast and Longest Kick competition, plus analysis from the best team in the business. New to Kayo? Try 14 days free >
NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST – Did the two best teams make the Grand Final?
Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify
The Lions midfielder was clearly stunned when the final votes were read, taking to the stage at a Brisbane function without a speech prepared.
Asked how he felt now being a two-time Brownlow winner, Neale conceded: “It doesn’t sit well.
“I’m pretty rattled at the moment … I didn’t expect this.”
The second Brownlow win caps off a brilliant couple of years for the Lion, who claimed his first crown in 2020 before finishing a close second last year to Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.
Remarkably, it’s the fourth time a Lion has claimed the Brownlow Medal and not been presented at the Melbourne count – after his 2020 victory and the wins for both Simon Black in 2002 and Jason Akermanis in 2001.
It’s been an unbelievable turnaround for a player not invited to the AFL draft camp, before being taken by Fremantle with pick 58 back in 2011.
“Sitting on the couch watching the draft that year, Mum came up to me after about pick 40 or something and said ‘there’s always the rookie draft’ so she wasn’t very confident either,” Neale said in his winner’s speech.
He paid tribute to Brisbane coach Chris Fagan in his post-win speech, thanking him for the “trust”.
MORE BROWNLOW MEDAL
WRAP: Brownlow BOILOVER as Lion King joins AFL greats in thrilling count
TALKING PTS: You’ve gotta be Lion? Odd votes that decided weirdest Brownlow win in years
TRACKER: See every vote from every game
RED CARPET PIC SPECIAL: All the best photos from footy’s night of nights
‘THESE VOTES ARE INSANE’: AFL stunned by ‘mind-blowing’ 3-vote calls
“Fages, ever since I first met with him and decided to come over to Brisbane, he’s been a father figure for me. Someone to lean on,” he shared.
“We speak weekly on all things, not just football.
“We’re very lucky to have him as our coach.
“I can’t thank Fages enough for the trust … he backs me in 100 per cent.”
Neale said despite the Brownlow win, his focus remains completely on this weekend’s grand final against Collingwood.
“Hopefully we can put on a good show … at the moment I’m picturing Harris (Andrews) holding up the cup with Fages at the end of it,” he said.
Players left BAFFLED in dramatic finale! | 00:50
“For me now I just recognise and appreciate the opportunity that’s in front of me and the team, and I’m going to savour every second of this week.
“Who knows when we might get that opportunity again.”
Neale laughed as he told the crowd he wasn’t sorry he was not in Melbourne to accept the award in person at the AFL’s count.
“I’m sort of done I think (with the speech) – I’m exhausted. I need to get to bed,” he said.
“Thanks everyone – I hope you have a great night in Melbourne. Sorry I’m not there – I’m not actually that sorry (crowd laughter erupts). I’ll see you on Saturday.”
Discussion about this post