Crows vice-captain Rory Sloane has finished as Adelaide’s top Brownlow vote-getter after a storming start to the AFL’s official presentation on Monday evening.

Sloane polled 20 votes to seal sixth place overall and was the early leader at the League’s night of nights before Richmond’s Dustin Martin moved into top spot midway through the count.

Martin wasn’t challenged in the second half of the season. He notched a record 36 votes to claim the AFL’s highest individual accolade ahead of Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell (25 votes) and Sydney skipper Josh Kennedy (23).

The ineligible Patrick Dangerfield of Geelong was the only player to keep pace with the star Tiger with 33 votes.

Brownlow round by round voting

Sloane polled in five of the opening six rounds in a strong start to the count.

The courageous midfielder opened his account with three votes against Hawthorn in Round Two and was joint leader following another best-on-ground performance against Port Adelaide the following round.

Sloane surged into the outright lead with his third three-vote game in Adelaide’s 76-point win over Richmond in Round Six.

He failed to add to his tally over the next three rounds but retained his place at the top of the leaderboard after Round Nine.


Sloane scored another three votes against Geelong in Round 18 and polled two in a loss to Sydney in the penultimate match of the minor round to close his Brownlow campaign.

Sloane’s haul moved him into the top five Crows Brownlow vote-getters of all time with a career total of 88.

Ball magnet midfielder Matt Crouch made a late charge to finish as Adelaide’s next-best player in the count with 11 votes, including two best-on-grounds.

Rory Atkins earned the first three-vote game of his career in Adelaide’s opening-round win over Greater Western Sydney and shared third spot on the Crows leaderboard with ruckman Sam Jacobs on 10 votes.

Andy Otten scored his first Brownlow vote in eight seasons with a single vote for his four-goal performance against Fremantle in Round 10.

Adelaide polled the equal-most Brownlow votes of any club with 88 in total across 14 players. Sydney also attracted 88 votes from 12 players.

A selection of Crows players, coaches and staff attended an intimate Brownlow function at Adelaide Oval as preparations continue for Saturday’s Toyota AFL Grand Final.

Rory Sloane, Matt Crouch, Eddie Betts, Brodie Smith, Sam Jacobs, Rory Laird and captain Taylor Walker were among those in attendance.


BROWNLOW MEDAL TOP 10
36 – Dustin Martin (Rich)
33 – Patrick Dangerfield* (Geel)
25 – Tom Mitchell (Haw)
23 – Josh Kennedy (WC)
22 – Lance Franklin (Syd)
21 – Josh Kelly (GWS)
20 – Rory Sloane (Adel)
19 – Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
18 – Ollie Wines (PA)
17 – Dayne Beams (Bris)

*Ineligible

CROWS BROWNLOW LEADERBOARD
20 – Rory Sloane
11 – Matt Crouch
10 – Sam Jacobs
10 – Rory Atkins
9 – Rory Laird
7 – Tom Lynch
7 – Taylor Walker
5 – Eddie Betts
3 – Brad Crouch
2 – Josh Jenkins
1 – Richard Douglas
1 – Andy Otten
1 – Jake Lever
1 – Brodie Smith