It wasn’t the Club’s best night at the 2015 Brownlow Medal, but there are still a number of positives that can be taken out.

Dyson Heppell capped off another great season to poll 10 votes, finishing 28^th overall in the count tied with Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert, Melbourne’s Nathan Jones, Fremantle’s Lachie Neale and Adelaide’s Taylor Walker.

Heppell received votes in six games for the season but was never awarded the maximum three votes.  This is the second time in his career that the 23-year-old has received 10 votes taking his career Brownlow tally to 41.

Brent Stanton’s performances against Melbourne in round 15 and Collingwood in round 23 were also rewarded, with the veteran midfielder awarded the maximum three votes on both occasions. His performance in round 23 was particularly memorable, collecting 30 disposals, winning four clearances and kicking three goals. The six votes Stanton received last night takes his career total to 67 votes.

One of the pleasant surprises from last night was Ben Howlett’s round one best on ground performance against the Swans. Starting as substitute, Howlett found himself involved in the game early after teammate David Myers went down with an injury in the opening minutes. In a wet game of football Howlett’s pressure was often the difference, finishing the day with 12 tackles, seven clearances and 11 contested possessions. The West Australian outpolled Sydney’s Kieren Jack and Kurt Tippett in the narrow loss.

Rising forward Joe Daniher was also awarded his first best on ground performance for the six goal effort against the Brisbane Lions. Daniher would receive another two votes against Melbourne in round 15 where he kicked another bag of five. The five votes are the most that the forward has received in his short career.

It was also a night of first’s for youngster Zach Merrett who polled his first career vote. Now in his second year, Merrett received one vote for his strong performance in the round 17 loss to Port Adelaide. The 19-year-old caught the attention of the voters with 21 disposals, 12 tackles, five clearances, 11 contested possessions and a handy goal. Merrett had a breakout season and was unlucky not to receive votes in more rounds.

Finally, despite the injury interrupted season, our Captain managed to still poll a respectable seven votes to finish 43^rd overall. The 2012 Brownlow Medalist raced out of the blocks with two best on ground performances coming from his dominant performances in round 2 and 3. Missing the majority of the season through injury, the signs that the 30-year-old showed early on the season prove that Watson still has what it takes to tear a game open and mix it with the best.

THE FINAL TALLY:

Dyson Heppell – 10 votes , 28^th overall (Rd 2, Rd 3, Rd 4, Rd 7, Rd 21, Rd 23)

Jobe Watson – 7 votes,  43^rd overall (Rd 2*, Rd 3*, Rd 5)

Brent Stanton – 6 votes, 54^th overall (Rd 15*, Rd 23*)

Joe Daniher – 5 votes, 70^th overall (Rd 8*, Rd 15)

Ben Howlett – 3 votes, 96^th overall (Rd 1*)

Brendon Goddard – 2 votes, 133^rd overall (Rd 8)

Michael Hibberd – 2 votes, 133^rd overall (Rd 8, Rd 19)

Michael Hurley – 2 votes, 133^rd overall (Rd 2)

Zach Merrett – 1 vote,  162^nd overall (Rd 19)

*indicates a game where the player received three votes