Brown, whose 2011 season will be best known for suffering multiple facial fractures on two separate occasions, was awarded the Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award for the third time (having won in 2007 and 2008).
It was a small consolation for the 29 year-old who managed just 10 senior games this season.
In the evening's main award, Carlton Captain Chris Judd took home the prestigious Leigh Matthews Trophy as the Players’ MVP and was also named 2011 Best Captain - the first time since 2003 that a player has taken home both awards.
It was the second time Judd had won the player-voted award, presented by Open Universities Australia, but his first at Carlton having taken home the trophy during his time at the West Coast Eagles in 2006.
Judd’s dominance this year was reflected in the final voting tally. He took the Award with 1,347 votes, followed by Scott Pendlebury (456 votes), and Gary Ablett Jr (389 votes).
The MVP Awards are the only peer-voted accolades in the industry, recognizing versatility, the ability to play under pressure, skill, leadership, courage, respect for all players and - most importantly - overall value to a team.
AFL Players’ Association President, Luke Power, paid tribute to Chris Judd and said the Awards recognize the value players place on peer recognition.
“Players strive for the recognition of their colleagues - whether it’s from their teammates or opponents,” Power said.
“Chris Judd’s recognition tonight as a player and captain is richly deserved and I congratulate him for a stellar season.”
Meanwhile, Essendon young gun Dyson Heppell followed up on last week’s Rising Star Award by taking home the Players’ GNC LiveWell Best First Year Player Award, while team-mate Henry Slattery received the Open Universities Australia Education and Training Excellence Award, which celebrates a players’ success in juggling football and study commitments.
