Gulden obtained just one vote in opposition to Melbourne in spherical 24, whereas Petracca didn’t ballot. Gulden had a shocking end, with six greatest on grounds from spherical 15.
Rising Gold Coast star Noah Anderson had additionally been in rivalry earlier than falling away after spherical 18.
It was heartache for Daicos, whose excellent season got here to a detailed with a hairline fracture of his knee in opposition to Hawthorn in spherical 21, leaving him the vote chief on 28, probably the most votes by a second-year participant ever.
Neale reveals off his prized medal after choosing up a Brownlow for a second time.Credit score: Getty Pictures
“That’s wonderful, tremendous humbling. Very cool,” Daicos mentioned when interviewed after spherical 21.
He didn’t give himself a lot hope of retaining the lead, as he tipped Bontempelli to complete strongly. At this level, he led Petracca by two and Bontempelli and Neale by 4. Gulden (23) and Anderson (22) remained shut.
Neale had a greatest on floor in opposition to Collingwood in spherical 23 to tie with Daicos, earlier than taking the highest award for the second time. He averaged 27 disposals per sport this season, his ideas now turning to Saturday’s grand ultimate in opposition to Collingwood.
Brownlow host Hamish McLachlan interviews winner Neale, who watched the depend from Brisbane along with his Lions getting ready for the weekend’s grand ultimate.Credit score: AFL Pictures / Getty Pictures
There was an early logjam on the high of the leaderboard, with Daicos, Petracca, Bontempelli and Neale making an impression.
Daicos stole the present within the opening two rounds with 5 votes. Bontempelli bought his depend going with greatest on floor in opposition to Brisbane in spherical three, whereas Petracca’s three votes in spherical 4 in opposition to West Coast gave him eight after 4 rounds.
After 5 rounds, Daicos had regained the lead, his three votes for a season-high 42 touches in opposition to St Kilda leaving him with 10 votes, forward of Petracca (9) and Neale (seven), the latter polling in 4 straight rounds.
Butters had a gradual begin, his three votes in opposition to the Western Bulldogs after a game-high 17 contested possessions in spherical 5 his introduction to the depend.
The highest 5 on the Brownlow leaderboard.Credit score: The Age
Daicos had his third best-on-ground when he was the Anzac Day medallist after 40 disposals in opposition to Essendon, however Bontempelli and Neale additionally loved most votes in spherical six.
Petracca had his third best-on-ground for his 35 disposals in opposition to North Melbourne in spherical seven, whereas Neale had two votes in opposition to Fremantle, the pair a vote behind chief Daicos after seven rounds.
Petracca grabbed the lead with three votes in opposition to Gold Coast in spherical eight, Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson additionally starring with a greatest on floor in opposition to Geelong. Having reached double digits in votes, Dawson’s surge continued when he had three votes for 33 disposals in opposition to St Kilda in spherical 9, taking his tally to 13.
Errol Gulden was one of many Brownlow vote depend’s greatest shock packets.Credit score: AFL Pictures
The regular Neale was once more within the thick of the motion with two votes in opposition to Essendon, Petracca retaining the lead. Butters had his second bag of three votes, however had a lot floor to make up.
He did that with 41 disposals, and three votes, in opposition to Melbourne in spherical 10, however Petracca polled a vote. Neale, in the meantime, had three votes in opposition to Gold Coast, the eighth time he had polled votes in 10 rounds, to interchange Petracca on the high of the leaderboard.
“I reckon Lachie has bought it within the bag,” Petracca mentioned after spherical 11.
Anderson, the shock of the night, vaulted into second spot for his three votes in opposition to Adelaide in spherical 12, however Petracca, with three votes in opposition to Carlton, regained the lead. Daicos, with two votes in opposition to West Coast, additionally remained in rivalry.
Neale, dominant in opposition to Sydney, polled three votes in spherical 14 to return to the highest of the leaderboard. Bontempelli’s greatest on floor in opposition to North Melbourne produced his first votes in six rounds, whereas Butters, with two votes, taking his tally to 14, was inside hanging distance.
Anderson’s eye-opening run continued, with three votes in opposition to Hawthorn in spherical 15, whereas Daicos additionally had a greatest on floor, in opposition to Adelaide, to affix Anderson and Petracca in equal second (19 votes) behind Neale (20).
The massive names bought shifting in spherical 16. Neale, Bontempelli and Daicos all had polled three votes every, whereas Petracca had two. Daicos had one other greatest on floor every week later to regain the lead, and when an additional three got here in opposition to Fremantle – his fourth best-on-ground in a row – he had regained the lead, and had probably the most votes (28) ever by a second yr participant. Anderson and Petracca additionally earned the utmost votes, Petracca three behind Daicos, and Anderson six behind. Neale, on 24, was nonetheless inside hanging distance.
Man on a mission: Collingwood star Nick Daicos was one of many favourites heading into the Brownlow Medal depend.Credit score: Getty Pictures
There was a special vibe between the tables. Whereas St Kilda and Sydney have been a contact rowdy and celebrated each vote, there was loads of nervous power round Collingwood.
The tables that includes Geelong and Carlton have been relaxed, whereas Butters’ mum was a imaginative and prescient of pleasure every time her son polled a vote.
Brisbane rookie Will Ashcroft received purpose of the yr for his mid-air effort from the pocket in opposition to Fremantle in spherical seven, whereas Better Western Sydney tall Harry Himmelberg received mark of the yr for his big leap in opposition to Adelaide in spherical one.
Carlton’s Sam Docherty claimed the Jim Stynes Neighborhood Award.
