All-Australian star disagrees with AFL decision on Brownlow Medal voting

Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko disagrees with the AFL’s call to once again withhold stats from umpires when they cast their Brownlow Medal votes.

Every count has its own quirks and usually a dozen or so votes that are allocated to players unexpectedly.

2024 saw Patrick Cripps and Nick Daicos both break the all-time highest vote tally, with 45 and 38 respectively.

However, the Herald Sun is reporting that the AFL will once again make no change to how the votes are counted.

Zorko believes the umpires have too much else to focus on to solely trust their eye.

“I think we somewhat have to move with the times, right? It can’t just be off what they see,” the 2024 premiership player told SENQ Breakfast.

“A small forward can kick six goals and change the game like that, but someone might get 40 disposals and they overlook the six goals.

“It’s important that they somewhat look at the stats so they have an idea of who has had a great game.

“They’re focusing on every single minute of the game and every decision and you can get lost when you’re trying to appreciate who was the best player on the field.

“I think it’s a good idea. Sometimes stats can lie and that can be the argument, but I think we’ve seen in the last few years and even last year that the top 12 or 13 players all midfielders in the award.

“It can’t just be a midfielder award, we’ve got small forwards kicking over 50 goals, Joe Daniher kicked just about 60 goals last year and they’re just not getting rewarded.

“I think it’s a good idea that they look at it, but stats can influence decisions as well. I think it would be a wise decision.”