• 2014 Brownlow Medal by the numbers
NEWLY crowned Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis has revealed the worry of feeling like an unworthy winner of the game's highest individual honour left him on edge in the days leading up to his surprise win.
NEWLY crowned Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis has revealed the worry of feeling like an unworthy winner of the game's highest individual honour left him on edge in the days leading up to his surprise win.
On Monday night, the 29-year-old became just the second player in history to win both the Sandover Medal (2006), as the fairest and best in the WAFL, and the Brownlow.
The only other man to achieve the feat was Haydn Bunton, who won three Brownlow medals with Fitzroy in the VFL and three Sandover medals with Subiaco in the WAFL between in 1931 and 1941.
Priddis admitted the thought of winning a low-scoring count had crossed his mind in the lead-up and it didn't help his frame of mind.
"I had a few conversations with my wife throughout the week and, she would probably attest to it, my moods had been pretty bad at home because I was bit nervy going to the night," Priddis said.
"It was just the thought of being a bit embarrassed about the whole thing."
However, a glance at Priddis' stats from the 2014 dispels any doubts about his credentials for the award.
The former rookie-list recruit led the AFL for both handballs and total disposals, and also ranked No.2 for clearances and No.3 for tackles in an outstanding campaign.
The humble veteran said he hoped the honour would sit more comfortably with him in time.
He was particularly glad to poll two votes in the final round to edge past Nat Fyfe's tally of 25, as the Dockers star was ineligible to win due to two suspensions.
"It probably would have taken a bit of the gloss off it if it hadn't gone that way," Priddis said.
"Nat Fyfe had an amazing year and obviously he's got a great career in front of him."
Priddis was greeted with a hero's welcome at Patersons Stadium on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after winning the medal in an astonishing count in Melbourne on Monday night.
The entire West Coast administration staff and a number of players attended the press conference and he received a standing ovation when he walked in with his wife Ashleigh, his daughter Nala, and the Brownlow Medal dangling around his neck.
He said he would heed the advice of the 1999 winner, Shane Crawford, when it came to maintaining his high standards next season.
An article written by the Hawthorn great would provide the platform for dealing with life as a Brownlow medallist, Priddis said.
"It was about how he (Crawford) performed the year after his Brownlow and he said he went into round one physically and mentally exhausted," he said.
"So for me, it's just going to be trying to make sure I do everything exactly the same as I've always done.
"Don't try and be anyone I'm not. Like I've said before, I'll keep preparing and training as hard as I can and on game day all I have to do is play my role."
Priddis will head back to Melbourne on Thursday with his wife and daughter to participate in the Grand Final parade and attend the 2014 decider between Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans.
