Brownlow Medal live updates: AFL’s plan revealed for ‘unlikely’ Heeney scenario
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Police investigating nacho tray hurled at fans after Hawks loss
Victorian Police have revealed they will be investigating an incident where a bowl of nachos was thrown at a mother and her young son during Saturday’s preliminary final.
Rose and her son, both Brisbane Lions fans, were in attendance for the dramatic clash at the MCG against Hawthorn, where the Lions took victory after a late call.
They alleged that a bowl of nachos was thrown in their faces as they celebrated Brisbane qualifying for a third-straight grand final appearance.
This comes after the Hawks’ narrow loss caused incensed fans to throw water bottles and litter towards the umpires on the field, which has been condemned by the AFL community.
The biggest Brownlow shocks through the years
Collingwood star Nick Daicos is such a heavy favourite for the Brownlow Medal that even the AFL’s head of football Greg Swann has declared he will win it, something you don’t expect to hear from the top brass.
But his declaration might have been premature, because heavy Brownlow favourites don’t always salute, which is the beauty of the award.
Let’s go through some history.
Nick Daicos is a star in the AFL. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Who could cause an upset?
This year’s Brownlow Medal is being written off as a foregone conclusion, with the consensus suggesting Collingwood star Nick Daicos will win and by double-digit votes.
The midfielder is an unbackable favourite with bookmakers, while every online predictor has him running away with the award.
But the Brownlow Medal generally tends to find a way to surprise and catch people off guard and this year could certainly be no different.
The two most likely players to vote above expectation and potentially win the award are Geelong’s Bailey Smith and Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli.
Bailey Smith could upset at the Brownlow. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The moment that could sabotage Lachie Neale’s grand final
AFL great Jimmy Bartel admits Brisbane star Lachie Neale faces an uphill battle to get his one-game ban downgraded for the grand final.
The club have confirmed they will appeal Neale’s suspension for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan in Saturday night’s preliminary final.
Neale landed a gut punch on the Hawks star in the first quarter, stepping in as Ginnivan wrestled with teammate Eric Hipwood after a collision.
The AFL’s match review officer graded the punch medium impact, but the Lions will be hoping to get it downgraded to low impact.
If the verdict stands, Neale will miss the season decider against Fremantle and a chance to win a third-straight flag with the Lions.
AFL’s plan for awkward Heeney possibility
Kane Cornes has revealed the AFL’s back-up plan if currently sanctioned Sydney Swans player Isaac Heeney wins the Brownlow Medal.
Heeney, along with teammates Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice, were suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season for breaching club standards following a night of partying in Melbourne after their round 23 game.
The five suspended players were not invited to this year’s Brownlow Medal, but remain eligible to win the award and poll votes, the AFL confirmed last month.
Speaking on SEN, Cornes revealed that in the “unlikely” event Heeney did win the Brownlow, it would be Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich in attendance who would accept the award in Heeney’s absence and read out a speech written by the player.
Isaac Heeney. AFL Photos
It would be the first time Heeney would break his silence since the Pullman Hotel saga broke.
“There were some reports on Footy Classified that Channel Seven and the AFL didn’t want to acknowledge what happens if Isaac Heeney wins the Brownlow Medal tonight,” Cornes said.
“That’s not correct, there’s actually a plan for what happens if Isaac Heeney wins the Brownlow Medal tonight.
“I can tell you that Matthew Pavlich will accept Isaac Heeney’s medal tonight and Matthew Pavlich will read out Isaac Heeney’s speech.
“Should, and it’s very unlikely, Isaac Heeney be the Brownlow Medallist tonight - Pavlich will be in the...Palladium and he will accept the Brownlow and read a speech that is currently written by Heeney tonight.
“(It’s) highly unlikely, they’re expecting Heeney to poll low 20s and obviously Nick Daicos to poll high 40s.”
The ultimate Brownlow guide
There are fascinating storylines all over the place ahead of this year’s Brownlow Medal, particularly from a team-by-team perspective.
Expect multiple tight races between players to lead their respective clubs, with Adelaide, Melbourne and Fremantle particularly interesting.
Let’s go through each team and predict their leading vote getter and the player mostly likely to cause an upset.
All-Australians Max Gawn and Jordan Dawson will both be in tight battles at the Brownlow. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to the blog
Hello and welcome to nine.com.au’s live blog for the 2026 Brownlow Medal.
The event will begin at 7:30pm (AEST) from Crown Palladium in Melbourne.
The count will get underway from 8pm.
For all the fashion lovers out there, the red carpet will be open to guests from 5:15pm.
