Despite missing three games through injury, Matthew collected 17 votes which is his highest number of Brownlow votes in a season (15 votes in season 2006 and 2007).
Western Bulldog Adam Cooney won the Brownlow Medal on 24 votes from Brisbane’s Simon Black, who had led for most of the night and finished with 23 votes.
Geelong’s Gary Ablett took third, polling 22 votes, along with Matthew Richardson of Richmond.
Then it was two ineligible players in Sydney’s Adam Goodes (21) and Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin (20), ahead of Geelong's Joel Selwood (19).
Matthew finished equal eighth with North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey on 17 votes with Carlton’s Chris Judd and Hawk Brad Sewell closing out the top ten with 16 votes.
Matthew kicked off his Brownlow campaign early when he polled 3 votes in Fremantle's Round 3 triumph over West Coast when he booted five goals.
He again took best on ground honours after leading Fremantle to a 53-point win over North Melbourne in Round 12 when he kicked eight majors.
Matthew was also at his vote-catching and inspirational best against the Eagles again in Round 18, with four goals and 22 possessions receiving 2 votes, with Byron Schammer pipping him for best on ground.
Matthew also took 2 votes from the umpires in Round 7 against Melbourne, in the Round 13 clash with St Kilda and against Essendon in Round 14.
Surprisingly, Matthew did not receive a vote in Round 6 when Fremantle almost pulled off a stunning upset win over reigning champions Geelong at Subiaco Oval on Anzac Day.
However that night, Aaron Sandilands who was also spectacular with 24 possessions and 42 hitouts, in arguably his best game for Fremantle, polled 2 votes.
Aaron also polled single votes against North Melbourne in Round 12 and against Sydney in Round 19 to finish the Brownlow count with 10 votes.
2008 NAB AFL Rising Star Rhys Palmer closed out Fremantle’s top three this season with 7 votes after two best on ground performances in Round 17 against Port Adelaide and also in Fremantle’s Round 22 demolishing of Collingwood. Rhys also polled one vote in Round 3 against West Coast, the match that saw him earn his Rising Star nomination.
Fremantle
Matthew Pavlich 17
Aaron Sandilands 10
Rhys Palmer 7
Peter Bell 3
Luke McPharlin 3
Byron Schammer 3
Antoni Grover 2
Roger Hayden 2
Des Headland 2
Michael Johnson 2
Brett Peake 2
Jeff Farmer 2
Clayton Hinkley 1
