In possibly the biggest Brownlow blunder in recent memory, St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera didn’t receive three votes for his single-handed match-winning efforts against Melbourne in Round 20.
Late in Monday night’s Brownlow Medal count, Wanganeen-Milera inexplicably polled two votes from the umpires, with Melbourne’s Jack Viney — who was in no man’s land during the result-deciding play that saw ‘Nas’ mark and goal after the siren — receiving three for best-on-ground honours.
But it was Wanganeen-Milera who propelled the Saints from 46 points behind at three-quarter-time to cap the greatest comeback in V/AFL history.
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The 22-year-old was far and away the highest-rated player on the ground, having notched 34 disposals, four goals, nine score involvements and six clearances.
Viney had 23 disposals and eight clearances with one goal, but he was the seventh-rated player on the ground.
In what was arguably the best individual performance of the season, Wanganeen-Milera just had to get the three. He finished Monday night with a St Kilda-best 23 votes, which should have been 24.
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Even the Demons table at Crown palladium couldn’t help but laugh in shock as Wanganeen-Milera was snubbed.
Fox Footy and Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph wrote on social media platform X in reaction: “You didn’t need stats for the umpires to know Nas deserved three votes instead of Viney for the most incredible individual performance we witnessed this season.
“The Brownlow should be our most important individual award, not the subject of constant ridicule. Time for a review.”
Fox Sports News reporter Drew Jones wrote: “Did the umpires watch Nas in the last quarter of the game against Melbourne? Brownlow feels a bit off this year.”
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NCA NewsWire reporter Ronny Lerner added: “Nas only got 2 v Melbourne lol… Go home umps. You’re drunk!”
The Age journalist Peter Ryan said: “Wanganeen-Milera 2 votes v Melbourne. Is that the moment that sunk the Brownlow?”
And Collingwood champion Dane Swan also chimed in, writing: “NAS not getting 3 there might be the worst decision in the history of the Brownlow. What a joke that is. It’s got a big smell about it.”