- Patrick Cripps wins the 2024 Brownlow Medal
- Carlton’s star has been crowned for the second time
- Relive Daily Mail Australia’s live Brownlow coverage here
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has won his second AFL Brownlow Medal, polling a record 45 votes to convincingly claim the honour.
The 29-year-old is the first player to win two Brownlows while playing for Carlton, having also won the game’s most prestigious individual honour two years ago.
Remarkably, Cripps held an unassailable lead with four rounds remaining and Collingwood’s Nick Daicos finished second on 38, while Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters bagged 29 to sit third.
After three years of close finishes, it is the most emphatic victory since Brisbane Lions’ Lachie Neale won the first of his two Brownlows by 10 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Daicos, who was second favourite behind Cripps, also broke the long-standing vote record of 36, previously jointly held by Richmond’s Dustin Martin (2017) and Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines (’21).
Cripps, who has led since mid-season, equalled the record with the ninth of his 12 three-vote games in Round 19.
The Carlton star then polled three votes in the Round 21 win over Collingwood and Daicos received two, putting Cripps nine votes clear.
This meant Daicos had to pick up three votes in each of his last three games to draw with Cripps and the Magpies youngster had two in round 22 to confirm the result.
To further emphasize his dominance, Cripps has earned three votes in three of his last four games.
Patrick Cripps has won the Brownlow Medal for the second time in his career
Cripps is kissed by his wife Monique after being named the winner of the prestigious award.
Known for putting the Blues on his back when the game is on the line, Cripps earned his fourth All-Australian team berth this year and is the 17th player to win multiple Brownlows.
Carlton greats Chris Judd and Greg Williams also won two Brownlows, but Judd won his first medal at West Coast and Williams in Sydney.
Cripps took the outright lead midway through the season from Sydney star Isaac Heeney, who was ineligible due to his suspension for striking in round 17.
Heeney was a big story, especially early in the count when he reached 21 votes in Round 10, a Brownlow record.
It is 27 years since Western Bulldogs great Chris Grant topped the count but did not win because he had been suspended that season. St Kilda’s Robert Harvey, who finished one vote behind Grant, won the first of his two Brownlows.
But Heeney’s attack lost steam midway through the season. While Cripps was closing in on the lead, the Sydney ace didn’t feature in the polls at all between rounds 11 and 18, tied with Fremantle star Caleb Serong in fourth place.
Sydney stars Errol Gulden (25 votes) and Chad Warner (23) helped save the AFL’s blushes by taking votes away from Heeney.
The Carlton captain led his team to the final and recorded 45 votes throughout the season.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale, who was considered a chance to become only the fifth player to win three Brownlows, and perennial Western Bulldogs contender Marcus Bontempelli were never among the leaders.
Melbourne Premiership star Angus Brayshaw, who had to retire from the game before this season began due to repeated concussions, proposed an emotional toast on behalf of his fellow players who also retired this year.
Collingwood’s high-flying forward Bobby Hill won the mark of the year award and, in his debut season, West Coast midfielder Harley Reid took home the goal of the year award.
The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award was also presented during the Brownlow function to Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien.