When my flight touched down in Melbourne early on Tuesday morning and passengers were allowed to switch their phones back on, laughter rippled through the cabin.

As the plane took off from Tokyo the night before, Matt Rowell had been leading the Brownlow after 14 rounds. That Rowell was the eventual winner was not the reason for the laughter – he is an excellent player. It was the voting in the St Kilda-Melbourne game in round 20 that was cause for hilarity.

Max Gawn and Christian Petracca show their disbelief that Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera missed getting the three votes.Credit: Channel Seven

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. The Saints star took a hanger and kicked two goals in half a minute, having already kicked two goals, had 30 odd touches and nine score involvements, to win his side the game in one of the most thrilling comebacks witnessed in years. If one person decided the outcome of that game it was him. But no. Three votes, Jack Viney.

If one game summed up the absurdity of the Brownlow Medal it was this. If one game alone can finally instigate a change to this award, it should be this.

Those fans on the plane laughed out loud at how ridiculous the AFL made itself look on its most reverentially self-important night. Again.

Those in the room on Brownlow night reported........

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