All Australian half-back Lachie Whitfield has more than doubled his career Brownlow Medal votes following a sensational 2018 season.
The 24-year-old, who had forged a career as a wingman before being called to on to make the switch to half-back to cover injuries, collected a club-high 16 votes at Monday night’s count, including three best-on-ground performances in the last six weeks of the season.
Prior to 2018, Whitfield had polled a total of 11 Brownlow Medal votes, with five votes in 2017 his previous best result.
Whitfield finished equal 12th in the count, with Hawthorn ball-magnet Tom Mitchell taking home the Charlie.
The 2018 season was a standout season for Whitfield in his new role, rating elite for average disposals (26.8), effective disposals (21), marks (6.7), tackles (3.2), inside 50s (3.7), score launches (1.5) and much more.
GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward polled 13 votes for the season, attracting the maximum three votes in round four against Fremantle, round 15 against Hawthorn and round 17 in the GIANTS’ thrilling two-point upset win over reigning premier Richmond.
Stephen Coniglio polled 11 votes, while Josh Kelly and Dylan Shiel both drew 10 as the GIANTS received a collective 76 votes for the night.
Defender Nick Haynes finally broke his vote duck, with the two votes he received for his 28-disposal, eight-mark game against the Swans in round three the first votes he has received in a seven-year AFL career.
It took just one more round for Haynes to double his career tally, with another two-vote effort in the GIANTS’ round four win over Fremantle. He finished with five votes for the night.
GIANTS spearhead Jeremy Cameron polled six votes for the night, but was ineligible for the award due to a suspension during the season, while Brett Deledio claimed three votes in a best-on-ground performance in the GIANTS’ round five draw with the Saints.
Toby Greene and now-retired veteran Ryan Griffen both collected one vote on the night.
GIANTS Brownlow votes
16 – Lachie Whitfield
13 – Callan Ward
11 – Stephen Coniglio
10 – Josh Kelly
10 – Dylan Shiel
6 – Jeremy Cameron*
5 – Nick Haynes
3 – Brett Deledio
1 – Toby Greene
1 – Ryan Griffen
