An AFL storm has erupted after Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli was seemingly ignored by the umpires when it came to early Brownlow Medal voting. A Round 2 game fired things up when the Dogs captain and champion did not register a Brownlow vote, despite receiving the 10 AFL coaches’ votes for his 32 touches (19 contested) and two-goal game against Gold Coast. But Bontempelli had other games where he starred in the early rounds, but still struggled to poll. In fact, after 11 rounds he had just four votes to his name despite some impressive numbers.
Fans were in shock but earlier, on the red carpet, AFL chief Andrew Dillon’s wife, Amanda, predicted that this would be the case. “I would like to see Marcus Bontempelli (win it) but I’ve been told he’s maybe not in the mix,” Amanda Dillon told Channel 7’s Dale Thomas. By way of comparison, one fan pointed to a Tanner Bruhn game in Round 4, where the young Geelong mid scored three votes for an 18 disposal, zero-goal game.
The Controversy: Fans React
Social media was ablaze with frustration from fans who felt Bontempelli was being unfairly overlooked. “Bont must lip the umpires all day - genuinely scandalous vote giving,” one fan fumed on X (formerly Twitter). While another said: “They’re really never gonna let Bont win a Brownlow. Bloke can’t do much more. 26 & 2 no votes, 32 & 2 no votes.” Another added: “Name me a more iconic duo than Marcus Bontempelli and Brownlow night robbery.”
The frustration was palpable, with some fans even suggesting the Brownlow should be scrapped after Bontempelli retires if he never wins. “If Bont never wins a Brownlow they should shut the award down when he retires,” one fan wrote. Another echoed this sentiment, stating that the Brownlow was “getting exposed for a garbage award at this point.”
Bontempelli's Performance
Despite the early struggles, Bontempelli did make up some ground at the backend of the count and finished the night with 19 votes. While he may not have been in the running for the top spot, his performance throughout the season was still commendable. Seven presenter Hamish McLachlan noted that Bontempelli’s teammate Adam Treloar — who polled 26 votes — may have taken a vote or two from his captain. Treloar also had an exceptional season and was one of the leading ball-winners for the year.
The Brownlow Voting System
The Brownlow controversy this year has reignited a long-standing debate about the voting system itself. After some controversy in the Brownlow voting last year, there were calls for the umpires to have access to match stats to help them make informed decisions before submitting their votes. But at the start of this season the AFL backed the umpires and their opinions in, and said they would again lodge their votes without the use of recorded game information.
The Case for Data-Driven Voting
There's a growing argument that the umpires should be able to access game stats to make more informed decisions. This would help eliminate inconsistencies and potential biases in the voting process. Supporters of data-driven voting argue that it would provide a more objective and transparent way to assess player performances.
The Case for Subjective Judging
However, others maintain that the Brownlow should remain a subjective award based on the umpires’ observations on the field. They argue that the subjective nature of the award adds to its charm and mystique. The decision to allow umpires to have access to stats would likely be met with mixed reactions, with some applauding the move and others lamenting the loss of a treasured tradition.
A Look at the Past
This isn't the first time the Brownlow voting system has been called into question. Last year Brisbane’s Lachie Neale won the Brownlow, despite not being named in the All-Australian team. Bontempelli was runner-up, two votes behind. During the count last year, one controversial game in Round 5 was widely debated when Neale secured three votes for a 20-disposal (just seven kicks) effort.
Also last year, another game — involving Port Adelaide young gun Jason Horne-Francis — raised eyebrows. He got the three votes for a lowly 13-disposal effort. These past controversies highlight the ongoing debate around the objectivity of the Brownlow voting system and the weight given to subjective opinions of the umpires.
The Future of the Brownlow
As the debate around the Brownlow voting system continues, it remains to be seen whether the AFL will consider implementing any changes. However, the ongoing controversy surrounding the award highlights the need for greater transparency and consistency in the voting process. Only time will tell if the Brownlow can regain its prestige and stand as a true reflection of the best individual performers in the AFL.
