Recently retired Cat Josh Jenkins has savaged the Brownlow Medal as a “non-award” due to the absence of winners from positions outside the midfield.
The Brownlow Medal is recognised as the AFL’s most coveted individual award, the 2021 edition taken out by Port Adelaide on-baller Ollie Wines.
However, it is acknowledged as a midfielder’s award. Adam Goodes was the last player from another position to win the count, playing as a hybrid ruckman back in 2003.
Jenkins kicked 296 goals in 147 games for both Adelaide and Geelong before retiring at the end of the 2021 season and says he “could not give a stuff” about the award.
“Let me just say firstly, the way the Brownlow’s gone in the past few years, I could not give a stuff about the Brownlow,” he told SEN Drive.
“It is the biggest non-award in footy, honestly.
“12 blokes get 30 votes who play in the same position, it’s honestly the biggest joke of an award.
“How many guys got over 25 votes last year? They all played in the same position.
“People will say, ‘You’re just dirty because you didn’t get the votes', but how can anyone sit there and say it’s a fair award when the same guys get the votes.”
The 32-year-old also pointed out how key position players are highly valued as soon as they walk into the AFL environment, such is their importance in the modern game.
However, they're often neglected in the count.
“Why do the guys at either end of the ground get paid a million bucks? Why does Harry McKay and the Wayne Carey’s, why do those guys get paid $1.2, $1.3 million?” he continued.
“Why are the young key forwards getting paid $700,000 before they’ve played 20 games, they’re a lot harder to find and they’re more valuable when you find a good one.”
Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn was the only non-midfielder to poll double figures votes (16) in the 2021 Brownlow count.