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Heart-warming footage has emerged of the moment Matt Rowell caught up with his family after winning his first Brownlow Medal on Monday.
However, some footy fans loudly questioned whether the midfielder deserved the top gong with one claiming it was 'rigged', while some on social media questioned the voting system for the end of season awards.
The Gold Coast Suns star, 24, dominated the voting on Monday night, polling 39 votes to comfortably finish seven votes ahead of Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos and 10 votes clear of Geelong's Bailey Smith.
Rowell won't care about the outside noise - he enjoyed a standout season, chalking up some career-best numbers, including 657 disposals - alongside a career-high goal tally and playing finals footy.
Rowell also became the first player to ever poll a perfect 12 votes from the opening four games of the AFL season and is only the second-ever Gold Coast player to win the coveted best and fairest award, after Gary Ablett Jnr.
During the evening, the midfielder's team-mates roared with elation as Rowe pulled six straight threes across the opening seven rounds, taking a huge lead ahead of Daicos and Smith.
Matt Rowell and his family celebrated his Brownlow Medal win on Monday evening at the Crown Palladium (pictured L-R: His sister Maggie, Rowell, his mum Louise and father David)
Louise, Rowell's mother, broke into tears after seeing her son win the coveted best and fairest medal
Rowell and his sister Maggie were also seen embracing with a big hug during the after party
Rowell's family had not initially planned to attend the evening at the Crown Palladium.
His family had been sat at home in front of the television in their pyjamas, watching their son storm ahead of the pack in the voting.
And upon realising that he might have a chance of winning, his mum and sisters - who are based in Melbourne - quickly made the decision to get changed and race to the Crown Palladium to enjoy the celebrations with their son.
They appeared to arrive at the venue not long after their star son had been handed his medal, and were seen on video running into a meeting room at the Crown where Rowell and his team-mates were celebrating.
His mum, Louise, and sister, Maggie, cheered with elation as they ran into the reception area before going over to hug Rowell.
Louise was overheard joking: 'I haven't even done my hair!'
'I'm very proud of you,' his mum added, before Rowell looked down at his medal and quipped to his mum: 'You might be wearing this at some point!'
Louise has since opened up on how the whirlwind evening unfolded on Monday night, adding that she hadn't expected her boy to win.
His family had been at home watching the events unfold in their pyjamas, when they realised they needed to rush to the Melbourne venue to celebrate with Matt
Rowell also was seen facetiming friends and family members after he picked up the coveted medal
His mother Louise revealed on ABC Radio on Tuesday that while they were watching the Brownlow ceremony from home, she wouldn't let anyone move because she was so superstitious
‘Well, we were sitting in our pyjamas when it all happened so we had to get ready!’ Louise Rowell told ABC Radio Melbourne on Monday.
‘So that was a bit of a full-on thing, especially as my daughter was going: “Oh my god! What am I going to wear!”
‘We had a bit of catching up to do with the drinks when we got here but I think we managed pretty well!
‘It was so lovely just to see Matt with all his team-mates and just enjoying it all and just celebrating. So that’s actually just the nicest bit seeing them celebrate that together.'
She even revealed that because she was both nervous and superstitious, she would not let any one move while she and her family were watching at home, as Rowell began to pull in the votes.
'You know you never expect it,' Louise told ABC Radio. 'I always think he’s the best all the time because I’m totally biased. But of course not. We knew he had a chance because there are so many other great players.
‘You just don’t know how these things are going to go. We were just sitting watching it on telly and then we were going: “Oh my god, oh my god!”
‘And then people were texting us and then I don’t like to jinx anything, so I wouldn’t let anyone move or anything. So it was a bit chaotic!’
Louise has since opened up on how the whirlwind evening unfolded on Monday night, adding that she hadn't expected her boy to win
Rowell and his team-mates couldn't be more made up for the midfielder (pictured L-R: Jack Mahony, Ben King, Matt Rowell, Charlie Ballard, Noah Anderson)
But not everyone was happy with Rowell taking home the night's biggest award.
Not long after the vision was uploaded to social media showing Rowell embrace his proud family at the Crown Palladium, one supporter questioned if the outcome was 'rigged.'
'Rigged why would the mum and is be there!???' one fan posted on Instagram.
'Absolutely rigged AF! What a JOKE,' another said.
'What a joke,' bluntly posted another.
'That is absolutely cooked...Daicos was absolutely robbed,' said a third.
Elsewhere, one fed-up fan labelled the gala evening a 'mockery' after St Kilda young gun Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was snubbed three votes following his electric performance in round 20 against the Melbourne Demons.
Many inside the black tie venue were equally stunned at how Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was not awarded maximum votes - including Demons pair Max Gawn and Christian Petracca.
The Gold Coast Suns star polled 39 votes to finish comfortably ahead of Collingwood's Nick Daicos - but some footy fans loudly questioned whether the midfielder deserved the honour
Rowell won't care about some of the criticism he has recieved over the vote count - he enjoyed a standout season, chalking up some career-best numbers, including 657 disposals - plus the Suns playing finals footy for the first time
While the majority of comments on social media commended Rowell and his family on the huge victory, some took to social media to call his victory 'rigged'
But the man they call 'NAS' shouldn't be too upset.
In August, the 22-year-old inked extended his time at St Kilda, with the new deal reportedly $4million over two seasons.
Some even questioned why Rowell was handed three votes for his performances against Adelaide in Round four and Sydney in Round 17. Against the Crows, Rowell only managed 17 disposals, while against the Swans he managed 16. Rowell also received no coaches' votes for either of those two matches.
Despite repeated calls for change, votes for the Brownlow Medal are secretly made by umpires after each game.
They are then placed in a vault, and only released for the official count.
Fans have rallied to the defence of the ever-humble Gold Coast star on social media, having noted his brilliance over the past few years in the AFL.
'For anyone to say he didn't deserve it: Come on he played tough all season and helped get his team to the Finals for the 1st time,' one wrote on Instagram.
'This is Wonderful to see Matt Celebrating with his family, Love his Mum and Sister's reaction.'
Noah Anderson (left) was also in the running for the Brownlow this year and had been a favourite to pick up the award
But Anderson jumped on his good friend and team-mate Rowell, patting him on the back and head as they celebrated the win
Touk Miller (top) was also seen arriving at Rowell's chair and shared a big embrace with the Suns star
Another commented on the vision of Rowell celebrating with his family, stating: 'What a very special moment for his family. I love this.'
'Im here just for the Louise content! Mums live all the highs and lows so deeply!' another said.
'L Rowell, three votes,' another said.
It's not the first time his mum has
Danielle Laidley also took a moment to applaud the family: 'This is what its about, son wins Brownlow and family get changed come in and celebrate. Great video. Well done to the whole family.'
And you could also see what the victory meant to his team-mates during the night.
Sat next to him was his good friend and Gold Coast Suns team-mate Noah Anderson, who had also been picked as a favourite to win the coveted award. And his midfield colleague couldn't be more elated for the Suns superstar, patting his great mate on the back, rubbing his head and cheering with elation at the news that Rowell had been named this year's best and fairest. Touk Miller also rushed round to congratulate his team-mate, giving him a hug and kissing Rowell on the head.
Rowell also baffled some inside the Crown Palladium on Monday night by lifting the lid on his bizarre pre-game grass-eating ritual.
Rowell also baffled some inside the Crown Palladium on Monday night by lifting the lid on his bizarre pre-game grass-eating ritual
When asked about the bizarre trend, his mum, Louise, revealed to ABC that grass is 'not the worst thing he's eaten!'
The Gold Coast inside midfielder has previously spoken on the strange trend, stating that it helps him stay grounded.
When asked about the bizarre trend, his mum, Louise, revealed to ABC that grass is 'not the worst thing he's eaten!'
'His elder sister made him eat cat food when he was younger!
‘Matty has always tried different things to get the best out of himself... Eating grass is not something that I would recommend.
‘But you know what, if it works and you go and win a Brownlow, why not!’
His mum, who is also understood to be a decent footy player herself, went on to laud her son after the awards night.
‘He is just the sweetest thing. The girls [her daughters] would have killed me if I had done anything like that.
‘But he tends to just let me get away with things like that. He’s just very kind and chill off the field and has always been very good to his mother - that’s to say that he doesn’t have his moments. But he has always been lovely to his mother. He just lets me crack on. I am very lucky.’
