Which AFL Team Has the Best Chance for the Brownlow Medal? Ranking Every Club’s Top Three Contenders

By **Riley Beveridge**

The Brownlow Medal, also known as ‘Charlie,’ is the highest individual honor in *AFL* (Australian Football League). As we approach the much-anticipated Brownlow Medal count, AFL.com.au provides a club-by-club analysis of each team’s best chance to bring home the prestigious award. Let’s dive into this comprehensive guide and discover who could emerge as the top contenders on this memorable night.

### Adelaide Crows: Jordan Dawson

**Best Chance:** Jordan Dawson had a stellar season after moving into the midfield. The Adelaide captain’s ability to find the footy and be damaging in the forward half makes him a strong contender. He is predicted to poll in several of the Crows’ early games, putting him in contention at the halfway point of the campaign. However, a quieter end to the season might hamper his chances.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Mitch Hinge’s outstanding performance against Gold Coast in Round 21 could earn him his first career Brownlow votes. With 31 disposals, 14 intercept possessions, and 451 meters gained, Hinge’s performance was a standout.

### Brisbane Lions: Lachie Neale

**Best Chance:** Lachie Neale, the 2020 Brownlow Medal winner, is a proven vote-getter and will once again be a top contender this season. With three seasons of polling over 25 votes, Neale’s ball-winning abilities make him a strong candidate for the award. Expect him to feature heavily in the votes during the Lions’ 17 wins this season.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Jack Payne’s impressive performance against Carlton in Round 8, where he kept Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow to just one goal, could earn him his first career Brownlow votes. With 13 disposals, eight intercept possessions, and five intercept marks, Payne made a significant impact.

### Carlton Blues: Charlie Curnow

**Best Chance:** Charlie Curnow, the back-to-back Coleman Medal winner, is likely to vie with his captain and reigning Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Cripps. Curnow’s career-high 78 goals this season, including multiple games with five or more majors, make him a formidable candidate. Expect him to feature heavily in the votes during his standout performances.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Jack Silvagni’s versatile performance against Port Adelaide in Round 18 could earn him his first career Brownlow votes. Playing as a makeshift ruck, Silvagni kicked four goals and had significant contributions in disposals, marks, and score involvements.

### Collingwood Magpies: Nick Daicos

**Best Chance:** The second-year midfielder, Nick Daicos, could be the runaway leader by round 18. However, an unfortunate knee injury in the season’s final three matches might hinder his chances. Regardless, Daicos is expected to be among the Brownlow favorites for years to come.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Jack Ginnivan’s strong performance against Essendon in the final round, with three goals and three goal assists from 17 disposals, could put him in line for votes.

### Essendon Bombers: Darcy Parish

**Best Chance:** With Zach Merrett ineligible due to suspension, Darcy Parish becomes Essendon’s leading contender. Although a calf injury ruled him out for five matches, Parish’s prolific ball-winning abilities are likely to secure him a significant number of votes.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Archie Perkins’ impressive performance against Hawthorn in Round 1, with three goals, two goal assists, and 10 score involvements from 20 disposals, could potentially earn him his first career Brownlow votes.

### Fremantle Dockers: Andrew Brayshaw

**Best Chance:** With Caleb Serong ineligible due to suspension, Andrew Brayshaw is likely Fremantle’s best chance. Brayshaw’s vote-winning abilities, as demonstrated by his 25 votes in the previous season, coupled with a strong finish to the campaign, make him a strong contender.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Sam Switkowski’s impactful performance against West Coast in Round 3, with 21 disposals, two goals, 10 score involvements, and six tackles, could see him among the votes.

### Geelong Cats: Jeremy Cameron

**Best Chance:** Jeremy Cameron’s hot start to the season, with 33 goals in the first eight games, puts him among the leading contenders. Despite a quieter second half of the season, Cameron’s overall performance is expected to make him Geelong’s leading vote getter.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Gary Rohan’s crucial performance against Melbourne in Round 15, with three goals, 16 disposals, and nine score involvements, could earn him additional Brownlow votes.

### Gold Coast Suns: Noah Anderson

**Best Chance:** Noah Anderson’s breakout season in the absence of skipper Touk Miller makes him Gold Coast’s leading contender. Anderson’s standout performances during Miller’s absence are expected to be rewarded with a significant number of votes.

**One-Vote Wonder:** In caretaker coach Steven King’s first game in charge, Rory Atkins stood out with 32 disposals, two goals, and 716 meters gained against St Kilda. This performance could potentially earn him rare Brownlow votes.

### GWS Giants: Toby Greene

**Best Chance:** Toby Greene’s selection as All-Australian captain showcases his exceptional skills. As the Giants’ skipper, Greene’s career-best year, with 60 goals and a significant impact in games, makes him their leading contender for the Brownlow. Expect him to poll heavily during the season.

**One-Vote Wonder:** After being dropped earlier in the season, Jake Riccardi found form against Fremantle in Round 14, kicking five goals from 15 disposals and eight marks. This performance could potentially earn him his first career Brownlow votes.

### Hawthorn Hawks: Jai Newcombe

**Best Chance:** With captain James Sicily suspended, Jai Newcombe is likely to be Hawthorn’s leading contender. Newcombe’s breakout year and rugged clearance work make him a strong candidate. Expect him to poll well in the Hawks’ victories.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Connor Macdonald’s stellar impact against Brisbane in Round 13, with 28 disposals, two goals, and 12 score involvements, could see him earn his first career Brownlow votes.

### Melbourne Demons: Christian Petracca

**Best Chance:** Christian Petracca’s combination of prolific ball-winning abilities and impact in the forward half make him a top contender. With previous seasons of polling over 20 votes, Petracca should feature heavily in the votes, especially during Clayton Oliver’s absence due to injury.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Kade Chandler’s impressive performance against North Melbourne in Round 7, with three goals, 21 disposals, and eight marks, could potentially earn him his first career Brownlow votes.

### North Melbourne Kangaroos: Luke Davies-Uniacke

**Best Chance:** Despite a challenging season for North Melbourne, Luke Davies-Uniacke’s standout performances make him their leading contender. Davies-Uniacke’s early-season form, with 30-plus disposals in both of the Kangaroos’ first two victories, gives him a head start.

**One-Vote Wonder:** In a dour affair against St Kilda in Round 8, Jack Ziebell’s impressive performance, with 36 disposals, 18 marks, and 469 meters gained, could potentially earn him additional votes.

### Port Adelaide Power: Zak Butters

**Best Chance:** Zak Butters’ sublime patch of form mid-season distinguishes him as a genuine contender. Predicted to poll in eight consecutive games, Butters could emerge as a strong contender for the Brownlow Medal. However, he will need to catch the eye early, as he has never polled more than three votes in a season.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Willem Drew’s impressive performance against West Coast in Round 6, with 25 disposals and a goal, could potentially earn him his first career Brownlow votes.

### Richmond Tigers: Tim Taranto

**Best Chance:** Tim Taranto’s stellar first season at Richmond makes him a contender. Predicted to poll in eight consecutive games, Taranto’s overall performance throughout the campaign will determine his chances. Although there will be a question mark over his performance outside of that period, he remains a leading contender.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Jack Riewoldt’s outstanding performance against GWS Giants in Round 12, with five goals, 15 disposals, and eight marks, could potentially earn him additional Brownlow votes.

### St Kilda Saints: Jack Sinclair

**Best Chance:** Jack Sinclair’s prolific season makes him St Kilda’s leading contender. With a significant number of Saints’ victories, Sinclair is expected to feature prominently in the votes. Although Brad Crouch and captain Jack Steele were also strong performers, Sinclair’s standout season gives him an edge.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Mitch Owens’ exceptional performance against Gold Coast in Round 4, with 27 disposals, two goals, 19 contested possessions, seven score involvements, and seven intercepts, could potentially earn him his first career votes.

### Sydney Swans: Errol Gulden

**Best Chance:** Errol Gulden’s breakout season, with a strong finish, places him as a genuine contender. Gulden’s ability to win the ball and hit the scoreboard is expected to catch the eye, especially during the Swans’ improved second half of the campaign.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Logan McDonald’s impressive performance against Hawthorn in Round 2, with five goals, highlights his potential for first career Brownlow votes.

### West Coast Eagles: Tim Kelly

**Best Chance:** With a disappointing season for West Coast, Tim Kelly stood out as a shining light. Kelly’s performances, particularly averaging 30 disposals in the team’s three victories, make him the Eagles’ leading contender. With few teammates taking votes off him, he has a strong chance.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Jake Waterman’s outstanding performance against GWS Giants in Round 2, with four goals, showcases his potential for first career Brownlow votes.

### Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli

**Best Chance:** Marcus Bontempelli, the Western Bulldogs captain, is regarded as one of the game’s best clearance players. His standout performance throughout the season, combined with fewer teammates competing for votes, puts him as a leading contender. Expect him to be at the top end of the leaderboard towards the end of the night.

**One-Vote Wonder:** Ed Richards’ impressive performance against Carlton in Round 9, with 25 disposals, 10 marks, 10 intercept possessions, six score involvements, and four intercept marks, positions him for potential first career Brownlow votes.

As the Brownlow Medal count approaches, the anticipation and excitement for AFL fans continue to build. While some players have emerged as strong contenders, the final outcome remains uncertain until the final votes are tallied. This comprehensive guide provides a snapshot of each club‘s best chance, but only time will tell who will take home ‘Charlie’ this year. Stay tuned for the thrilling Brownlow Medal count!

Sources:
[AFL.com.au](https://www.afl.com.au/news/693760/club-by-club-guide-every-teams-best-brownlow-chance)
Pictures: AFL Photos