THE AFL will look at altering the eligibility system for the Brownlow Medal after Monday night's count almost saw ineligible Hawk Sam Mitchell poll the most votes.

Mitchell polled the second highest tally of votes behind winner Dane Swan, and second-place getter Nick Dal Santo, and led for seven of the final 11 rounds.

Swan went on to win the medal by four votes with 34.

Football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the League would consider changing the rule that stipulates that a player who accepts a reprimand from the match review panel that draws an initial penalty of more than 100 demerit points cannot win the Brownlow. 

"I think we should have a look at it, I really do," he told 3AW on Tuesday night.

"I think if it's the sort of level offence where the AFL says you can accept a reprimand, when the [incident] is of sufficient minor nature that you're able to accept a reprimand, I think we should consider whether those low-level offences should really exclude players from Brownlow eligibility.

"I don't think it's been so much the [AFL] commissioners [against changing it]. There's been a variety of views through the AFL on this one, but Sam's case last night really illustrates the point that, do we really want to be rubbing someone out from the Brownlow Medal for an offence they could have accepted a reprimand for?

"Those are the sort of low-level offences usually that are negligent or low-impact, and I think you could see from that it wasn't an intentional act otherwise he would have not been able to accept a reprimand.

"There's a variety of views on it but I think it's definitely worth us having a good look at it again."

Mitchell lost his eligibility after pleading guilty to head high contact on Geelong's Steve Johnson in round five, and receiving a reprimand, which left him free to play the following week.

Any proposal to change thr rule would face the tribunal review process and would have to be approved by the AFL Executive and the Commission.

Earlier on Tuesday, outgoing Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said he would write to the AFL Commission immediately asking it to reconsider the rule.

"Sam was not eligible for the Brownlow last night because he was reported during the year," Kennett wrote on hawthornfc.com.au.

"Reported, but not suspended.

"I think that is a position the AFL must reconsider and reverse.

"If a player is reported, but not deemed sufficient for actual suspension, the player should remain eligible for Brownlow consideration.

"The AFL makes the rules, but if the rules allow a player to keep playing after a reportable offence, then he is a whole person, and eligible to have Brownlow votes awarded to him in and from the next game he plays.

"Perhaps it was fortunate that Sam did not win last night because a great injustice would have been rendered on him."