Patrick Cripps won the Brownlow Medal for the second time, polling a record-breaking 45 votes, while Collingwood's Nick Daicos finished second with 38. Cripps's win has sparked controversy, with many fans and pundits questioning the integrity of the voting system, suggesting that favoritism from umpires led to inflated vote counts. Critics pointed out that Cripps received votes in matches where his performance was not exceptional, which raised concerns about the reliability of the umpires' assessments. Western Bulldogs supporters expressed outrage at Marcus Bontempelli's low vote tally, feeling that it did not reflect his contributions throughout the season. The debate has reignited calls for a review of the Brownlow voting process, with some advocating for a more balanced approach that considers player impact more holistically. Despite the criticism, Cripps's achievement remains a historic moment in AFL.