Judd went into the count as the hot favourite and was awarded 23 votes for the season to finish in 6th place. He became the first player in the history of the AFL to be awarded 20 or more votes in five seasons. His 23 votes was 11 behind the winner, Collingwood's Dane Swan.
Ironically it was Dane Swan who was the hot favourite last year when Judd won his second Brownlow. In 2010 Judd polled 30 votes to win the Award with Swan polling 24 to finish third. This year Judd had the 2011 Brownlow in his possession for a short time as he joined Swann on stage at the conclusion of the count to present Swan with his Brownlow Medal.
Marc Murphy started the season in brilliant form with two best on ground performances to lead the vote count after two rounds. He and Bryce Gibbs were Carlton's two main vote winners early in the season and Murphy consistently polled votes but not enough were best on ground 3 votes. He finished with 19 votes for the season, a top ten finish, after polling in 12 matches. Further highlighting his claims for the John Nicholls Medal (Carlton Best & Fairest) to be counted at the same venue on October 4th.
Carlton Vote winners in the 2011 Brownlow Medal:
23 Chirs Judd
19 Mark Murphy
12 Bryce Gibbs
9 Mitch Robinson
8 Heath Scotland
5 Andrew Walker and Kade Simpson
4 Eddie Betts
3 Matthew Kreuzer
2 Nick Duigan
1 Chris Yarran and Rob Warnock
