Jack Macrae’s stellar second year was capped off in appropriate fashion at Monday night’s Brownlow Medal, polling the most votes of any Bulldog for the league best and fairest award.

The 20-year-old polled 10 votes, including maximum votes in the Western Bulldogs’ round three and 17 victories over Richmond and Gold Coast respectively.

Macrae had 30 disposals, one goal, and six tackles in the Dogs’ win over the Tigers, while he was unstoppable against Gold Coast amassing 43 disposals, two goals, and five tackles.

The young midfielder also polled two votes for his 32-disposal and one goal performance in the Bulldogs’ seven-point loss to Essendon in round 18, and a further two votes for his 35-disposal and six tackle performance in the eight point loss to the Brisbane Lions in round 12.

Adam Cooney finished behind Macrae in the Club’s Brownlow vote tally, with the 2008 Brownlow Medallist polling seven votes, including three votes against St Kilda in round 20 for his 25 disposal, three goal game.

Cooney’s seven votes takes him to a career tally of 82 votes, moving past Doug Hawkins (81) and Brad Johnson (77) to tenth on the Club’s all time list.

Matthew Boyd, Ryan Griffen and Tom Liberatore all polled five votes each.

Boyd’s five votes took him to a career tally of 98 Brownlow votes, ranking him eighth on the Dogs’ all-time list

Marcus Bontempelli’s impressive first year continued, adding four Brownlow votes to a 2014 season that included the AFLPA Best First Year Player accolade, runner-up in the NAB AFL Rising Star and Hungry Jacks Goal of the Year nomination.

The 18-year-old was named best on ground by the umpires in the Club’s round 15 win against Melbourne, a performance which saw him gather 17 disposals and two goals – one of which was the match winner.

Bontempelli’s four votes was the most polled by a first year player in this year’s medal count.


 

2014 NAB AFL Rising Star