JOEL Selwood and Dane Swan were well placed to spoil Gary Ablett's party with one round remaining on Monday night.
However Selwood and Swan, leading Ablett by two votes and one vote respectively, failed to poll a vote in round 23. Ablett won three for his 33 touches and four goals against GWS and claimed a second Brownlow Medal.
Ablett pips Selwood, Swan
Selwood can count himself particularly unlucky. The All Australian captain gathered 24 disposals and kicked two goals in the Cats' 44-point win over the Sydney Swans in round 22. But it wasn't good enough to catch the eye of the umpires.
Steve Johnson earned three, courtesy of four goals and 26 disposals, to take his tally to 25. It was the first time the 2007 Norm Smith medallist had polled more than 12 votes in any of his 12 seasons. All Australians Harry Taylor and Corey Enright polled the minor votes for their roles in defence.
Five-minute Brownlow guide
Selwood couldn't poll a vote in round 23 either with 25 touches and a goal in a one-point win over the Brisbane Lions. Matthew Stokes was the only Cat to poll in that game, gathering 35 disposals.
Dane Swan can count himself unfortunate as well. He gathered 34 touches and kicked two goals against West Coast in round 22 and polled two votes. The three went to Josh Thomas for his 35 disposals and a goal.
Much like Selwood with Johnson, Swan's kryptonite was teammate Scott Pendlebury who polled 21 votes. The pair are so prolific and eye-catching and yet have managed to win just one Brownlow between them, with three third-placings.
How the votes fell: Click to view AFL.com.au's Brownlow Tracker
The disappointment of the night was Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell. The star midfielder polled 30 and 26 votes respectively in the past two seasons and had a similar year in terms of output but only managed 16 votes.
His best games seemed to come when others excelled. Ablett pipped him for three votes in a Hawthorn win in round nine despite 36 touches and a goal. He had 36 disposals in a loss to Geelong and 31 when Lance Franklin kicked eight against Essendon.
Brownlow Medal as it happened
Daniel Hannebery provided a bizarre twist. After a 42-disposal domination of the Crows in round 11, Hannebery had 18 votes and led the count with Ablett. He didn't poll again until he gained three votes in round 17 - his last votes of the year.
Patrick Dangerfield had another tremendous year polling 22 votes to back up his 23 in 2012.
