Selwood 's standout year was recognised by his peers when he became the youngest-ever winner of the AFLPA Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award , and placed fifth for the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFLPA Most Valuable Player . Selwood also finished sixth in the Brownlow Medal , polling 16 votes to finish second at Geelong behind eventual winner Gary Ablett . He became the first footballer to win the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year Award , adding to his season 's list of accolades . After averaging 28 disposals and 5 tackles per game over the course of the season , Selwood was also awarded with All-Australian honours for the first time in his career and a second successive top five placing for the Carji Greeves Medal . Selwood finished the year ranked fourth in the league for total disposals ( 691 ) , third for total handpasses ( 389 ) , second for contested possessions ( 236 ) and eighth for hard-ball gets . For the second successive season , he also led the league for total free kicks earned ( 59 ) and finished the year ranked within the top five at Geelong in several major statistical categories
Brownlow Medal
2009 Brownlow Medal
Joel Selwood