World Footy News

Brisbane Lion and former Irish Gaelic footballer, Pearce Hanley, polled the most votes tonight at the AFL’s Brownlow Medal count for an international player. In a very small field, Hanley polled three votes in the final home and away match of the year when the Lions upset the Western Bulldogs. They were his only votes for the season which was ruined by injury and was his lowest Brownlow medal tally since 2011.

Dashing Carlton defender Zach Tuohy, also from Ireland, also polled two votes for his game against St Kilda in Round 4. He was the only other international player to poll votes in this year’s Brownlow Medal count.

Two Western Bulldogs players of multicultural backgrounds also polled this year. Jason Johannisen, born in South Africa, polled in two matches to finish the night with four votes whilst his team mate Lin Jong, of Timorese and Taiwanese descent, also polled in two matches for a total of two votes.


Two other well-known Muslim footballers, Adam Saad from the Gold Coast Suns and Bachar Houli from Richmond, both polled votes in matches this year. Saad won two votes for his near best afield effort against the Fremantle Dockers in Round 11 and another vote for his Round 5 effort against the Brisbane Lions. Houli polled his votes in Round 5 also against Geelong.

Whilst not strictly international players, Johannisen, Jong, Saad and Houli are four of the most recognised faces of the multicultural promotion of our game, nationally and internationally, to diverse ethnic groups embracing our game. Their Brownlow Medal performances will certainly help illustrate how far each has come at the highest level of the game as they continue to be respected role model for future generations of multicultural footballers.