Which player won the 1996 Brownlow Medal after tying with James Hird?

Michael Voss won the 1996 Brownlow Medal jointly with James Hird.

Voss and Hird each received 21 votes in the 1996 Brownlow Medal count, making them joint winners. It was the first Brownlow tie since 1989, when Greg Williams and Peter Mitchell shared the award.

Voss was Brisbane’s captain and a powerful midfielder who combined clearance work with strong leadership. Hird, playing for Essendon, was an elegant utility and one of the competition’s leading players. Their equal vote totals reflected an unusually close count.

The Brownlow Medal is awarded to the fairest and best player in the AFL home-and-away season, with votes awarded by field umpires. Finals performances do not contribute to the count, a detail that often causes confusion when comparing Brownlow results with overall season impact.