It remains one of the most significant milestones in Gold Coast’s short history.
The game’s highest honour, the Charles Brownlow Trophy, made its way to Queensland in 2013 thanks to an outstanding year from SUNS captain Gary Ablett.
The former Cat averaged 31.1 disposals per game and booted 28 goals that year to claim his second Brownlow Medal.
The win was set up between rounds seven and 12 in which Ablett polled 16 of a possible 18 votes, an amazing achievement given the SUNS won just 50 per cent of those games.
With four games left in the season, Ablett sat on 25 votes, ahead of Dane Swan (21), Joel Selwood (21) and Steve Johnson (20).
Two best-on-ground performances from Selwood saw him leapfrog the SUNS skipper, going to 27 votes at the conclusion of round 21.
Meanwhile, Swan also surged, polling five votes in three rounds to sit on 26 votes with just one game left to be counted.
The scene was set. Selwood led on 27 votes ahead of Swan on 26 and Ablett on 25. It all came down to round 23.
Selwood collected 25 disposals in Geelong’s one-point win over Brisbane, but was outshone on the day by Tom Rockliff (37 disposals), Jimmy Bartel (35 disposals) and Mathew Stokes (35 disposals).
Brisbane, A. McGrath, one vote.
Geelong…
M. Stokes, two votes.
Brisbane, T. Rockliff, three votes.
The Geelong star would finish the 2013 Brownlow Medal count on 27 votes, with Swan and Ablett still a chance to overtake him.
Swan had 26 touches against North Melbourne, but wasn’t in the umpires votes, with Ryan Bastinac, Scott Pendlebury and Jack Ziebell taking the 1-2-3.
It all came down to one game to determine the winner – the round 23 clash between Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium.
Ablett had an equal game-high 33 disposals but also kicked four goals to lead his side to a big victory. He was surely amongst the votes, but the question would be whether he had done enough to get the three?
Dion Prestia also had a big game, with 33 touches of his own. Would the Little Master get three votes to claim his second ‘Charlie’ or would he share the honours with his former Cats teammate?
Gold Coast, R. Thompson, one vote.
Gold Coast…
D. Prestia, two votes...
With cameras focused firmly on one man, AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou read out the all-important name to send the crowd into a rapturous round of applause.
Gold Coast…
Three votes…
G Ablett.
I declare the winner of the 2013 Brownlow Medal – Gary Ablett, Gold Coast Suns.
