Gold Coast SUNS Captain has finished an incredible 6th in the 2012 Brownlow medal vote count held at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

The 85th celebration of the codes most prestigious individual award began with a moving tribute to former Collingwood and Port Adelaide player John McCarthy who passed away recently during an end of season trip to Las Vegas.

It was then onto the business of unearthing the one player judged to be the fairest and best in the AFL.

Gary Ablett claimed maximum points from the Clubs opening round encounter against the Adelaide Crows, a match in which the SUNS were disappointing against the NAB Cup champions.

Ablett again polled the maximum votes in round two, the first time in his career the 2009 Brownlow medalist had polled back to back three point matches.

in round three it was again the GC SUNS skipper at the top of the pile, racing to 9 votes on the back of another dominant performance against the Bombers.

I'm stoked, I didn't expect to start like that, I guess I better thank the Umpires.

It was against the Lions in round four that Ablett injured his knee late in the SUNS QCLASH loss, with non of the Gold Coasters registering a Brownlow vote, the injury sidelining the SUNS captain for two games.

David Swallow registered his first Brownlow vote during the Clubs round five thriller against North Melbourne, while Luke Russell claimed claimed a place on the leader board with his first vote of the season, while exciting Gold Coaster Harley Bennell claimed the maximum points as the SUNS fell seven short against Fremantle.

Check out the 2012 Brownlow Red Carpet below, press play

Round seven and Sam Iles was rewarded for his efforts during the SUNS embarrassing loss to the GWS Giants.

So after seven rounds of competition J. Watson with 13 votes led from B. Stanton with 10, S. Thompson 10 and G. Ablett, J. Kennedy and R. Griffen on 9.

Matt Shaw was the SUNS only vote winner in round eight with 1 against against the Western Bulldogs.

The Gold Coast failed to register a vote after their 48 point loss to Port Adelaide as Watson took a three vote lead with 17, ahead of B. Stanton 14, S. Pendlebury 12, S. Thompson 12, L. Hayes 11 and G. Ablett 9.

Round 10 and despite the Gold Coast SUNS 97 point loss against the Pies, Gary Ablett with 53 disposals accrued the maximum 3 votes on offer.

There were no votes following the Gold Coast SUNS disastrous performance against St Kilda in round 11, however there was a marked improvement as the Gold Coast hosted North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium, Ablett once again gaining dominant earning three votes as the SUNS fell just seven points short of an historic first win at home.

The Gold Coast SUNS enjoyed the bye in round 13, as Watson extended his lead to 23 votes ahead of Ablett on 15 on the back of five best on ground performances.

Round 14 and while the West Coast scored a percentage boosting win against the SUNS, Ablett collected a goal of the year nomination however failed to impress Brownlow judges as the SUNS suffered a 126 point loss.

Up against his old side for the first time in 2012, Gary Ablett collected 1 vote as the Gold Coasters showed some real character against the Geelong Cats, while in round 16 the Gold Coast not only opened their Premiership account against the Richmond Tigers in Cairns, with Gary Ablett 18 collecting 2 votes to trail Watson on 26 votes and Thompson on 21.

QCLASH Four and the resurgent GC SUNS pushed the Brisbane Lions all the way to the final siren in a spirited encounter with only a number of wayward late shots on goal robbing the Metricon faithful of an eagerly anticipated victory.

Ablett had provided fabulous guidance for the young SUNS and was once again rewarded with another 3 votes in a best on ground performance to take his tally to 21 votes.

Ablett polled another vote following the GC SUNS 72 point loss against the Swans in round 18. Harley Bennell was the stand out performer for the Gold Coast SUNS in their match against Melbourne whilst Ablett kept pace with the ladder leaders with another vote to keep his Brownlow chances alive.

Round 20 and Brandon Matera claimed the maximum votes available with Aaron Hall registering his first ever Brownlow vote as the SUNS celebrated their first win at home. Ablett surprisingly overlooked despite delivering on a pre game promise to avenge the SUNS round seven loss to the GWS Giants.

So with three rounds of the regular season remaining, Ablett on 23 trailed Watson on 30.

Round 21 and the GC SUNS once again did it tough against flag favourites Hawthorn, Steven May rewarded for his breakout game with one vote, however Ablett failed to register a crucial vote and in doing so lost his grip on a second Brownlow medal as Essendons Jobe Watson claimed the leagues highest individual honour.

Ablett improved his position with another vote earned after the SUNS had pulled off the upset of the 2012 season against Carlton, Tom Lynch rewarded with three votes after playing his best game in the Gold Coast SUNS Guernsey.

There were no vote winners from the GC SUNS following their final round loss to the Adelaide Crows, Ablett finishing in sixth position, a remarkable effort considering the ladder position of the side he Captained.

THE TOP TEN
 

1. Jobe Watson - 30 votes
2. Trent Cotchin - 26
Sam Mitchell - 26
4. Dane Swan - 25
Scott Thompson - 25
6. Gary Ablett - 24
7. Patrick Dangerfield - 23
8. Dayne Beams - 19
Lenny Hayes - 19
Josh Kennedy - 19 

View more of the 2012 Brownlow photos here