GARY Ablett Jnr has capped off an excellent 2013 campaign by winning his second Brownlow Medal by just one vote over former Geelong team mate Joel Selwood.
The Gold Coast Suns captain surged out to a record matching 20 votes after the first 12 rounds of competition but then polled just two points in the next 10 rounds. After leading for much of the night Ablett watched as Selwood surged in the voting for the later rounds to take the lead with 27 votes heading into the final round.
Trailing by two votes Selwood failed to receive a vote in the last round while Ablett received three votes for his best on-field performance in his club’s Round 23 match against Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium.
Ablett was humble and gracious as he accepted the award for the AFL’s best and fairest player for the for the second time in his career.
“It’s an honour,” said Ablett from the stage at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.
“It has been a challenging three years up there and I knew when I made the decision to move to the Gold Coast that it was going to take time.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with everyone at the club and I love all my team mates and I couldn’t be here without you guys.”
Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna however was more effusive with his praise.
“To be a champion you’ve got to mimic one and I think they’ve got one amongst them,” said McKenna.
“Jaeger O’Meara won the NAB Rising Star, Dion Prestia did pretty well tonight, Harley Bennell, David Swallow, the list goes on.
“These boys sit back and watch him train and now they’re starting to try and mimic Gary.
“As coaches we can get up and go blue in the face, but when they’ve got someone living and breathing what you expect, it’s very easy for them to follow.”
Here is the post award press conference with the Brownlow Medallist: