[1] Dane Swan of the Collingwood Football Club won the medal by polling thirty-four votes during the 2011 AFL season.

[5] For most of the season, Carlton's Chris Judd was an overwhelming favourite in betting markets to win the award for a second consecutive year, and third time overall.

[7] Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan, and Carlton's Marc Murphy, were also expected to feature prominently in the count.

Mitchell received a one-match sanction, which was reduced to a reprimand without suspension with an early guilty plea, for rough conduct against Geelong's, Steve Johnson in round 5.

Other ineligible players included: Dale Thomas (Collingwood); Joel Selwood, Joel Corey, Matthew Scarlett, Brad Ottens (Geelong); Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn); Shane Mumford, Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney); Leigh Montagna, Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda); Colin Sylvia, Jack Trengove, Brent Moloney (Melbourne); Jack Redden (Brisbane Lions); Brent Stanton (Essendon); Luke McPharlin (Fremantle); Nathan Bock (Gold Coast); Nic Naitanui (West Coast); and Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs).