Watson wins 2012 Brownlow Medal

By Alison Zell

The Swans didn’t take the main prize last night but they put in a stellar performance, polling the most votes (95) of all of the clubs in the league.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson last night became the club’s first Brownlow Medalist since current coach James Hird, finishing with 30 votes, four ahead of Tiger Trent Cotchin and Hawk Sam Mitchell.

Sydney Swan Josh Kennedy was a hot favourite in the lead up to the event and after nine votes in the first five rounds, looked set to give Watson and Ablett a run for their money.

But the Bombers midfielder also started in scintillating form, polling in 11 or the first 13 rounds to have 23 votes by the half way mark. 

Watson survived a late charge by the Gold Coast’s Gary Ablett (24 votes), and Cotchin, to win the prestigious medal.

The son of club legend Tim Watson, Jobe was drafted under the father-son rule in the 2002 Draft but managed just 13 games in his first three seasons at the Bombers.

At the crossroads of his career, he enlisted the help of personal trainers and football legends and quickly became one of the Bombers’ most influential and important midfielders.

He was handed the captaincy of the club after Matthew Lloyd retired in 2009 and capped off an outstanding 2012 season with the highest individual honour in the competition.

After Kennedy’s early surge, a quieter middle part of the year and the emergence of fellow midfielders Kieren Jack, Ryan O’Keefe and Dan Hannebery ensured the votes were shared amongst the Swans players.

The Sydney Swans finished with the most votes of any club with five players polling in double figures.

Kennedy finished the night with 19 votes and five three-vote games, four ahead of Kieren Jack with three best-on-ground performances.

Hannebery (12 votes), O’Keefe (11) and Bolton (10) rounded out the Swans’ top five and young guns Lewis Jetta (5) and Sam Reid (2) both polled their first-ever votes.

The top ten

1. Jobe Watson – 30 votes
2. Trent Cotchin – 26 votes
Sam Mitchell – 26 votes
4. Dane Swan – 25 votes
Scott Thompson – 25 votes
6. Gary Ablett – 24 votes
7. Patrick Dangerfield – 23 votes
8. Dayne Beams – 19 votes
Lenny Hayes – 19 votes
Josh Kennedy – 19 votes

Sydney Swans leader board

Josh Kennedy – 19 votes
Kieren Jack – 15 votes
Dan Hannebery – 12 votes
Ryan O’Keefe – 11 votes
Jude Bolton – 10 votes
Jarrad McVeigh – 6 votes
Lewis Jetta – 5 votes
Rhyce Shaw – 4 votes
Luke Parker – 4 votes
Sam Reid – 2 votes
Shane Mumford – 2 votes
Ben McGlynn – 2 votes
Adam Goodes – 2 votes
Ted Richards – 1 vote