What happened in round 13 with the Daicos brothers?

Nick Daicos would have won any other count. He, too, benefited from some questionable votes, notably when he polled one in the King’s Birthday clash despite being subbed off (15 disposals) with injury. His brother Josh had a game-high 34 touches on an afternoon best remembered for Christian Petracca’s season-ending injury, but was overlooked in voting. Go figure. It won’t be long before Nick claims Charlie, anyway.

Should the umpires still vote?

This is debatable. Should an independent panel give votes? Should umpires have a full day to digest the game and statistics and then make a call, rather having to do so immediately after a game? On balance, the current system is the go, and the AFL has been insistent this year that there won’t be change. Yes, the umpires sometimes make head-scratching decisions, but they’re only human. Do we really want a bot running the rule over our great game?

What happened to the likes of Bontempelli and Neale?

Predictions that Swans star Isaac Heeney – ineligible through suspension – would make a fast start, before stalling were right. But it was a surprise to see Marcus Bontempelli and Lachie Neale trail as they did. Bontempelli was the favourite among many experts and punters, but finished a whopping 26 votes behind Cripps – and “the Bont” was this year’s AFLPA MVP. He didn’t poll a vote against Gold Coast in round two, despite having 32 touches and two goals, while our predictions had him receiving maximum votes against Hawthorn in round eight when he had 26 disposals, including 11 score involvements (he walked away voteless). However, it was the career-best form of teammate Adam Treloar (26 votes), who finished seventh in the count, which also had an impact; Treloar may have got the nod ahead of Bontempelli in some games.

Neale, seeking to become the fifth man to win three times, was also among the favourites. He needed maximum votes in round 13 (when he got two) and round 15 (it was shock when he was completely overlooked), but still finished with 22 votes.

Were any future winners identified?

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For sure. Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell and Port Adelaide midfielders Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis caught the umpires’ eye regularly. Rowell just needs the Suns to win more games. Fremantle’s Caleb Serong and Sydney’s Chad Warner are also emerging faces.

Is the count too long?

The count began at 8pm (is 7.30pm a more family friendly time?), but it wasn’t until 10.36pm that Cripps was officially crowned the game’s fairest and best player. There was even an interview with him heading into the final straight. Why bother? League chief executive Andrew Dillon did a good job in keeping a strong pace in his maiden year of reading the votes, the goal and marks of the year and the Jim Stynes community award winners need to be announced and a tribute to retired players deserves time (Angus Brayshaw delivered a moving speech). But there is no reason why the count cannot be decided by 10.15pm.