Gold Coast Suns star Matt Rowell has won the 2025 Brownlow Medal.
In a historic night for the Gold Coast Suns, Matt Rowell has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Brownlow Medal, polling a stunning 39 votes to become just the second player in the club’s history to win the prestigious award.
The 24-year-old midfielder’s victory caps off a sensational season that also saw him earn his first All-Australian selection and lead the Suns to their first-ever finals campaign.
Rowell’s win, which he secured with a round to spare, was an emphatic statement of his dominance throughout the season.
His final tally of 39 votes is the second-highest in the history of the Brownlow Medal, a remarkable achievement that puts him in elite company.
A Blistering Start and an Unrelenting Pace
Rowell, who was a top-five favorite heading into the count, started the night with an unprecedented run of form, polling the maximum three votes in each of his first four games.
This remarkable start gave him an early lead that he never relinquished, and it was a defining feature of the count.
The closest competitor was Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos, who finished in second place with 32 votes, marking his second consecutive runner-up finish.
While Daicos made a late charge, Rowell had an answer for every challenge, consistently polling votes in the second half of the season to maintain his commanding lead.
Rounding out the top three was Geelong’s Bailey Smith with 29 votes, followed by Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson (27 votes) and Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw (26 votes).
Rowell’s close teammate and friend, Noah Anderson, also had a strong performance, polling 25 votes.
A Dream Realized for Rowell and the Suns
In his acceptance speech, a visibly emotional Rowell expressed his disbelief and gratitude. “It sounds pretty surreal, to be honest. I cannot believe I’m standing up here tonight,” he said. He paid tribute to his family, his best friend and teammate Noah Anderson, and the Gold Coast Suns for their support.
Rowell’s victory is more than just a personal accolade; it’s a symbolic moment for the Gold Coast Suns, a club that has long struggled for recognition. He joins the legendary Gary Ablett Jr. as a Brownlow Medallist for the club, providing a beacon of hope for the franchise’s future.10
His win, along with the team’s historic finals berth, signifies a new era of success for the Suns, driven by a player who has now cemented his place among the league’s elite.
While the award is his, Rowell made it clear his sights are set on the ultimate prize: “You dream about it a lot, and yeah, hopefully we can get there one day. We’d love to be there.”
