A glance at the leading Brownlow Medal contenders

24 Sep 2023

The Canberra Times

Western Bulldog star Marcus Bontempelli is among the top picks to win the Brownlow medal. (Jonathan Di Maggio/AAP PHOTOS)

Brownlow Medal - Figure 1 — Photo The Canberra Times

BROWNLOW MEDAL FORM GUIDE

* Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs): Another stunning season from the top dog. Wins his own ball, can run and carry, sweet left-foot, strong overhead - was runner-up with 33 votes in 2021. Stats: Averaged a career-high 27.65 disposals a game. When he polls, he polls big with 36 three-vote games before this year.

* Nick Daicos (Collingwood): A scarcely believable 19 dominant games until a knee injury. The halfback playmaker turned ace on-baller with precision ball use, evasion and gut-running his trademarks. Stats: Never had less than 25 touches. And had more than 30 a whopping 13 times. Candidate for nine best-afields but missed the last three games.

* Christian Petracca (Melbourne): The perennial poller won't have teammate Clayton Oliver pinching votes as he missed 11 games with injury - Petracca polled 24, Oliver 25 last year. The model of consistency usually polls when the Dees win. Stats: Averaged 28 disposals and never dropped below 20 in a match. Also averaged better than a goal a game (1.12) and six clearances.

* Zak Butters (Port Adelaide): Rose to the upper echelon in a breakout season with dash, dare and slick ball use. But how many votes will eye-catching teammate Connor Rozee, who could poll in a dozen games, steal? Stats: His average 27.5 disposals featured 5.2 inside 50s a game.

* Lachie Neale (Brisbane): The 2020 medallist finished behind Patrick Cripps by just one vote last year and was equal third in 2019. Another season of sustained excellence, vying for at least seven best-on-grounds. Stats: Averaged 27 touches and eight clearances, 10 games of 30-plus disposals.

* Tim Taranto (Richmond).

* Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)

BROWNLOW MEDAL FAST FACTS

* Most medals - 3 (Haydn Bunton Sr, Fitzroy; Dick Reynolds, Essendon; Bob Skilton, South Melbourne; Ian Stewart, St Kilda/Richmond)

* Most votes in a season - 36 (Dustin Martin, Richmond, 2017; Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide, 2021)

* Youngest winner - 19 years, 91 days: Dick Reynolds (Essendon, 1934)

* Oldest winner - 31 years, 238 days: Barry Round (South Melbourne, 1981)

2022: Patrick Cripps, Carlton, 29 votes

2021: Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide, 36

2020: Lachie Neale, Brisbane, 31

2019: Nat Fyfe, Fremantle, 33

2018: Tom Mitchell, Hawthorn, 28