With the Brownlow Medal count done and dusted for another year, it’s time to look back at some of the more surprising numbers.

Brent Harvey led North Melbourne’s vote count with 15, edging out Ben Cunnington’s 13 and Andrew Swallow on nine. The veteran moved into seventh for all-time Brownlow votes with 183 overall. He will likely overtake Simon Black in 2015 and edge closer to the 200-vote milestone.

Below are some of the votes that raised eyebrows. Did we miss any? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Round 3 v Port Adelaide

3. Ben Cunnington (NMFC)
2. Travis Boak (PA)
1. Nick Dal Santo (NMFC)

In what was one of North’s best wins of the season, Levi Greenwood was arguably unlucky to miss out.

Perhaps the fact that the left-footer was playing his first full game of the season hurt his chances of recognition from the umpires. Nevertheless, he still collected 34 disposals – the most on the ground – collected 6 clearances, laid 7 tackles and put the ball inside 50 on six occasions.

It was the sort of well-rounded game which normally catches the eye, but the number 24 missed out on this occasion.

Round 7 v Gold Coast

3. Lachlan Hansen (NM)
2. Gary Ablett (GC)
1. Dion Prestia (GC)

At stages throughout the evening, it appeared that this game may have swayed the final Brownlow winner.

Typically umpires tend to distribute the votes to the winning team – even more so when it wins by 43 points. Hansen however was the last man to repel Suns’ forward entries throughout the afternoon, taking 17 marks and collecting 30 possessions. It was a performance that kept his side in the game for long periods.

As we found out later in the evening, it wouldn’t be the last time a Kangaroo would poll three votes in a losing effort.

Round 11 v West Coast

3. Ben Cunnington (NMFC)
2. Nick Dal Santo (NMFC)
1. Matt Priddis (WCE)

Greenwood makes his second appearance in the unlucky basket for North’s victory over West Coast at Patersons Stadium.

It was a wet and greasy evening in Perth, which made the midfield battle a crucial one. The courageous midfielder excelled with 6 inside 50’s and 12 marks to go with his 33 disposals in a 38-point victory.

However the umpires opted for Matt Priddis’ 32 disposals, 9 tackles, 5 inside 50’s and 2 goals for the one vote.

Round 13 v Adelaide

3. Brent Harvey (NMFC)
2. Brodie Smith (ADEL)
1. Eddie Betts (ADEL)

On North’s first ever trip to Adelaide Oval, it was outplayed by the Crows. In Monday’s Brownlow preview on NMFC.com.au, the prediction was that none of the Kangaroos’ players would trouble the voters.

So it came as somewhat of a surprise when best-on-ground honours went to Harvey for his 31 disposals and 2 goals. It was an unexpected achievement, perhaps unluckily edging Adelaide’s Scott Thompson out of the votes.

Thompson had a Crow-high 30 disposals, as well as 9 tackles, 7 clearances and 4 inside 50’s.

While it’s rare a player would be awarded maximum votes in a heavy loss, Harvey’s performance didn’t go unnoticed on this occasion.

Round 16 v Hawthorn

3. Nick Dal Santo (NMFC)
2. Jack Gunston (HAW)
1. Andrew Swallow (NMFC)

In what is becoming a recurring theme, Greenwood makes another appearance in the unlucky category. The midfielder was everywhere against Hawthorn, filling up the stat sheet with 27 disposals, 8 clearances, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50’s and 2 goals.

It would have been a tough choice for the umpires though, considering Drew Petrie’s five goals also went unrewarded and Hansen finished with 28 disposals and 14 marks.

Round 22 v Adelaide

3. Jack Ziebell (NMFC)
2. Scott Thompson (ADEL)
1. Andrew Swallow (NMFC)

Andrew Swallow’s game-high 11 clearances against the Crows, single-handedly willing his team over the line in the closing stages, was deemed to be inferior to Thompson’s 27 disposals and 7 clearances.

When the game was up for grabs in the final term, Swallow had 11 disposals (eight contested), five clearances, two inside 50’s and a score assist to give North the seven-point win.

Round 23 v Melbourne

3. Dom Tyson (MELB)
2. Andrew Swallow (NMFC)
1. Ben Brown (NMFC)

In a very open game to finish the home and away season, it was Shaun Atley who caught the eye with his line-breaking run and carry, but he was unable to manage a vote.

Swallow could also feel slightly aggrieved to not poll three votes after collecting game-highs in clearances, contested possessions and tackles, to go with an equal team-high in disposals.

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