OUTGOING Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has called on the AFL to change its rules regarding Brownlow Medal eligibility.

Hawks midfielder Sam Mitchell polled 30 votes in Monday night's Brownlow count, finishing as runner-up to Collingwood's Dane Swan.

Mitchell led after round 21, but would have been ineligible to win the medal had he finished in front.

He'd accepted 93.75 points and a reprimand, less than the 100-point minimum for Brownlow ineligibility, for a high bump on Geelong's Steve Johnson in round five.

But because the initial charge - before the early guilty plea - was deemed to be worth 125 points and a one-game suspension, the 28 year-old was ruled out of Brownlow contention.

"Sam was not eligible for the Brownlow last night because he was reported during the year," Kennett wrote on hawthornfc.com.au on Tuesday morning.

"Reported, but not suspended.

"I think that is a position the AFL must reconsider and reverse.

"If a player is reported, but not deemed sufficient for actual suspension, the player should remain eligible for Brownlow consideration.

"The AFL makes the rules, but if the rules allow a player to keep playing after a reportable offence, then he is a whole person, and eligible to have Brownlow votes awarded to him in and from the next game he plays.

"Perhaps it was fortunate that Sam did not win last night because a great injustice would have been rendered on him."

Kennett said Hawthorn would write to the AFL Commission immediately asking for a change to the rule.

"Now that the football year has ended, the AFL can reconsider this matter to make the necessary and obvious change before the start of next year," he wrote.