Kane Cornes has held his own version of the Brownlow Medal after 18 rounds of the AFL season, with the twist being that all midfielders are eligible.
Cornes feels midfielders dominate the major awards and wants other players to be rewarded.
“The top 10 vote-getters in the AFL Coaches Association award are all midfielders. The 18 AFL coaches have neglected to meaningfully recognise any defender, forward or a ruckman and it isn’t the only award dominated by midfielders,” Cornes told SEN’s Captain’s Run.
“The umpires too have been hypnotised into only voting for the mids when they hand in their 3-2-1 Brownlow votes after each game.
“It is a blight on the game that a player can’t win the AFL’s two most prestigious awards if they don’t play in the midfield.
“The last 15 winners of the Brownlow are all mids. Sydney’s Adam Goodes was the last player to win it from outside the midfield. You could argue he was basically playing as a midfielder from the ruck.
“You’ve got to go back until 1993 to find a winner who wasn’t playing in the midfield and that was Essendon back pocket Gavin Wanganeen. In 1987 Tony Lockett kicked 117 goals and took home the Brownlow in a tie with John Platten.
“A full forward cannot win the Brownlow today. In 2020, the top 10 were all midfielders and the highest placed key forward was Tom Hawkins with 11 votes.
“Our game caters for all types. It doesn’t matter if you’re fast, slow, tall, short, heavy or light. If you are good enough, you will succeed. The game’s most significant awards should do the same.
“I’ve gone through the non-midfield Brownlow. So if I was to award the Brownlow Medal and if midfielders were ineligible, which I think is fair, because basically for the last 25 years anyone playing outside the midfield has been ineligible.”
Kane Cornes’ top 7 in the non-midfield Brownlow
7th: Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
“I think he’s been outstanding this year as Brisbane captain. His numbers playing as a small forward and a small amount of time in the midfield have been off the charts,” Cornes said.
6th: Harry McKay (Carlton)
“Would’ve been higher if he could kick straighter. His form in a side that is 13th, to be leading the Coleman Medal is extraordinary.”
5th: Tom Stewart (Geelong)
“He’s an absolute star. In my non-midfield Brownlow I would have him in fifth position.”
4th: Steven May (Melbourne)
“To continue the recognition of the defenders, he’s in fourth position.”
3rd: Toby Greene (GWS)
“Toby Greene is third.”
Cornes previously stated Greene was a top-five player in the competition.
2nd: Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
“He’s an absolute freak. I just think he should absolutely get votes for what he’s doing most weeks.”
1st: Max Gawn (Melbourne)
“Big Max Gawn is the winner of my non-midfielder Brownlow this year.”
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