RECORD-BREAKER Patrick Dangerfield has dedicated his 2016 Brownlow Medal to fellow Geelong great Paul Couch in an emotional tribute.
The superstar Cats midfielder polled a record 35 votes, with Sydney Swans onballer Luke Parker nine votes back in second.
Favourite to win the award since round one, Dangerfield said the past three days had been an emotional rollercoaster after bowing out with unfinished business in a preliminary final.
Still bitter at that loss, the enormity of the Brownlow Medal only became clear to him Monday night when watching a tribute to late Cats great and 1989 winner Paul Couch.
"I think halfway through the count, when Paul Couch was replayed and the conversations around how Paul contributed to the game, it hit me what it would be like to be a Brownlow Medallists.
"So Couchy, this one is for you mate."
Couch, the 1989 Brownlow winner, died on March 5 of a heart attack.
Couch (l) is congratulated after winning the 1989 Brownlow Medal. Picture: AFL Photos
His former teammates Andrew Bews, Tim McGrath, Tim Darcy and Barry Stoneham spoke about Couch in a recorded segment during the Brownlow telecast.
Couch was Geelong's fourth Brownlow winner and Dangerfield is now the club's seventh.
"My mind is racing now, as is my heart, so it's hard to articulate it properly, but (the Brownlow) is something I'll look back on with great pride," Dangerfield said.
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