Is letting umpires cast votes, the best method of deciding the AFL's premier award, the Brownlow Medal?

Question

I think not, I believe it should be upto the coaches and team captains, to cast votes.

Answer 1

I don't pay much attention to the Brownlow simply because it is not the best and fairest player it is the best and fairest midfielder who wins it.

The rugby league equivalent is called the Dally M and it is only awarded to halfbacks or hookers even though it is meant to be "best" player. In fact it has got so ridiculous that they now have different categories like Dally M forward of the year, winger etc. Imagine the brownlow forward, brownlow fullback, brownlow ruckman.

It is the fault of the umpires that it has got to this point so yes I would like different judges, maybe have a mix of ex players, commentaters etc that judge each game.

Answer 2

There are a lot of other MVP awards judged by media, public, club, coaches, peers etc floating about. Why not one judged by the umpires?

The Brownlow was an award conceived as an umpire-awarded award and should remain so. There are arguments about whether it should be the premier award, and if the AFL is concerned about that they should introduce a new award, with a new judging criteria, but the Brownlow for the fairest and best as judged by the umpires should remain exactly that.

Answer 3

Completely pointless getting the public to vote.  If that was the case, you'd get a Collingwood player winning the thing every year, due to the larger size of their support base.

However, the coaches, umpires, commentators, other players, should all have a vote so the final voting is from a wider, and less biased, perspective

Answer 4

I agree with you Kev but I also think that the public should also have the right to vote for their favorites too. It would make a better difference for the Brownlow and the choosing of it too :)

Answer 5

they should have match day judges who watch the game and replays etc because sometimes umpires only give votes to the attacking ,notcible or exciting style of play people e.g chris judd

Answer 6

the brownlow is overrated.

i know that i would rather win the leigh matthews trophy than the brownlow.

Answer 7

I think they should have different judges that watch the game, but I dont think they should be able to have any written statistics . So the judges can do th same as what the umpires did, but they can see the bigger picture and what is happening all over the ground. The umpires should choose players for a different award like the umps award or sumthin.

If the coaches vote they can decide who they want to win it. Same with players....but if the players choose a player from the other team they can be stupid and choose the **** players (thats what everyone used to do in my bros basketball and footy)

Answer 8

I think the brownlow medal should always be decided apon by umpires.  It is the tradition.  If people want to have an award voted on by coaches or players or people in the media, then it should be a different award, and with a different name.

I think the brownlow is good because it encourages people to be in and under the umpires nose.  I don't like seeing players win awards for being taggers.  I really wouldn't like it if my kids were growing up saying 'gee i want to be a tagger' rather than wanting to kick 10 goals in a grand final.  I understand every team has different players who are important, but that is what best and fairest awards are for.

Brownlow should be left alone, but perhaps a seperate night before the start of the finals for coaches and players voted awards.

Answer 9

Well Big Kev

I had my doubts ... I still do but .... JIIIIIMMMMMMYYYYY!!!! Go you good thing!

I think it's hard to see much fault in tonight, though I really thought the Cornes boys should have got more votes overall.  Result was fair.  I thought Swan from the Pies was gonna get it for a while - and that would have been a reasonable outcome .. but ...

Was Black vs Brown a surprise or what?  Think it shows a Full Forward has little to no chance.

Now ... 90 something brownlow votes between them ... just Saturday to go on the quest .... Caaaaarrrrrnnn da Cats! :-) (you knew I'd say that)

Answer 10

The Brownlow should be decided by the umpires as it always has been. I can't remember a time where a Brownlow has gone to a player who didn't deserve it. Sure it doesn't always go to the best player, but it certainly is one who has been there abouts. Jimmy Bartell is a prime example. There are enough other prizes, although not as prestigious as the Brownlow that others can win. eg. AFLPA Best, Coaches Awards, Lou Richards Medal, Club B&Fs. So leave it as is, the umpires are generally unbiased, regardless of popular opinion, and get it right most of the time (in Brownlow voting).

Answer 11

the public should have nothing to do with it, could be huge bets on people? and you're right big kev, there may be some biased calls. i am happy that the umps do it

Answer 12

Sorry Kev but I have to disagree with you here. As you know, I do umpire local junior games and sometimes I have to umpire some of my best friends. Where I umpire, we have to do 3,2,1 votes like the Brownlow. Even though I have my favorites and my friends, I dont go giving out votes to those players. I put them on a level playing field

These umpires today have been umpiring since they were kids...so many many years and along with the experience they get, im sure that they have teach themselves to not give away votes to their prefered player and on the other side, not choosing them.

I think that the umpires are the only real suitable judge for the Brownlow. The Brownlow medel is awarded to the Best and FAIREST player of the AFL regular season. So if a player is mouthing off at the umpuire for most of the game, the umpire wouldnt give that player a vote because he wasnt fair even though he may have been the best player by far on the field that day. I have had that happen to me before. I refused to give this [player a vote because he was not repecting me. Mysef and the other umpire had an argument for 10 minitues before I finally got through to him. Also, other players may be mouthing off at each other, sledging one another for thw whole game. Sure, the umpire can stop it, but why should 2 or more players that are giving each other heaps deserve votes for Best and Fairest.

Because of those things and other matters including of what umpires hear on the field.....who else would do it. The AFL already has an award for the best player voted by the players so why make the Brownlow like that?

Remember, its not only the best player who deserves the award, but they also have to be fair.

Answer 13

No, I think an impartial panel of judges should decide.

Answer 14

The Umpires are the best judges!!!!

They are there on the field which gives them a good idea who is the best and fairest during the day.

They get to see how the players behave and play front on.

No-one else can see that but them.

Yes they may have their favorites,but don't we all????