The Brownlow Medal is awarded annually to the AFL player judged best and fairest during the home-and-away season.
The medal is named after Charles Brownlow, a former Geelong player and administrator who became secretary of the Victorian Football League. Umpires award votes after each match, traditionally ranking the three players they consider best on the ground. The votes are counted at the Brownlow Medal ceremony after the regular season.
The award is specifically for the home-and-away season, not the finals series. Players can become ineligible to win if they receive a suspension under the competition’s rules, although their votes may still be announced. This eligibility rule is why the player with the most votes is not always declared the winner.
The Brownlow is often compared with other major AFL awards. The Coleman Medal recognises the leading goalkicker, while the Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the best player in the AFL Grand Final.