MELBOURNE duo Christian Petracca and Jack Viney have been recognised for their stellar 2023 AFL campaigns, finishing in the top ten of the AFL’s highest honour on Monday night.
Brisbane’s Lachie Neale took out this year’s prestigious award, crowned the 2023 Brownlow medallist for the second time after polling 31 votes; the count going down to the wire with no clear winner decided at Round 23.
The final home-and-away game of the season saw the Lion earn three votes and finish five in front of Petracca, who collected a total of 26, while Viney was a mere two votes behind his teammate, coming home strongly to finish with 24.
Petracca’s 2023 campaign saw him push his game to new heights, embracing and executing responsibilities in both the midfield and forward line.
He shone in this dual-role booting 28 goals across his 25 matches, while averaging 27.8 disposals. He also topped the league for average score involvements (8.4).
His 26 votes were a career-high, surpassing his previous individual record of 24 votes in 2022 where he also placed sixth. The count marks the fourth year in which Petracca has polled 20 votes or more.
Viney’s 24 votes are also a career-high, and further recognition for another impressive season in the red and blue.
The vice-captain’s unrelenting determination in the contest and on-field leadership has been a key asset to the side in season 2023, the 29-year-old averaging 25.6 disposals, five clearances and 5.3 inside 50s (a career-high statistic).
In the 23 home-and-away games played by the duo, Petracca featured in the umpires’ votes on 13 occasions, of which the Demon collected a game-high three votes six times.
Viney featured in the umpires’ votes on nine occasions, of which he collected a game-high three votes eight times.
The Monday count saw 15 Demons poll across the season, Melbourne tallying a total of 88 votes in 2023.
Overall Leaderboard
Lachie Neale - 31
Marcus Bontempelli - 29
Nick Daicos - 28
Errol Gulden - 27
Zak Butters - 27
Christian Petracca - 26
Caleb Serong - 24
Jack Viney - 24
Melbourne's Top Five
Christian Petracca - 26
Jack Viney - 24
Max Gawn - 7
Clayton Oliver - 6
Bayley Fritsch - 4
Angus Brayshaw - 4
