AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has ruled out wholesale changes to the Brownlow Medal voting system in the fallout from Patrick Cripps’s record-breaking haul.
But the league will consider allowing umpires to use Champion Data statistics in future as a safeguard after some questionable polling during Monday night’s count.
Carlton captain Cripps smashed the previous mark with 45 votes, claiming his second medal in three seasons.
Collingwood star Nick Daicos (38) also beat the previous record of 36 votes, held jointly by Dustin Martin and Ollie Wines.
“I don’t really get caught up too much in the number of votes awarded,” Dillon said on Wednesday.
“The Brownlow Medal’s been around for 100 years … we’ve got no plans to change the 3-2-1 (system) and we’ve got no plans to change the umpires awarding the fairest and best player.”
However, as reports emerged of senior umpires requesting access to post-game statistics to guide their votes, Dillon said that was an option that would be reconsidered over the off-season.
“We trust our umpires implicitly. They are professional, elite athletes (and) incredible decision-makers,” Dillon said.
“In relation to the stats, it’s something that we look at at the end of each year.
“We spoke to the umpiring group at the end of last season and the consensus from the umpires was that they were comfortable making the calls on the 3-2-1 without access to statistics.
“Again, at the end of the year we’ll review all the rules and regulations.”
Collingwood star Nick Daicos also broke the previous record for most votes at a Brownlow, but finished seven votes adrift of Cripps. (Getty Images: Michael Willson)
Field umpire Nick Foot, speaking ahead of his first grand final when Sydney take on Brisbane on Saturday, did his best to steer clear of the controversy around Brownlow voting.
“It is what it is,” Foot said.
“All I can say about the Brownlow is that Patrick Cripps was a very deserved winner on Monday night.
“I don’t think anyone can argue that result and I think that was the right result for the season.”
Meanwhile, Dillon brushed off the controversy surrounding his wife Amanda’s pre-count prediction that Marcus Bontempelli was “maybe not in the mix” to win the Brownlow.
Western Bulldogs star Bontempelli was rated among the leading contenders but eventually finished equal-14th with 19 votes.
“She was very disappointed that Marcus didn’t win. He is her favourite footballer,” Dillon said.
“What she did remind me on Tuesday morning was that she was disappointed, but like she often is, she was right.”
AAP
