One of the closest Brownlow Medal races in recent history looms, with four popular contenders headlining a host of names pressing to be this year’s league best-and-fairest.
So, with a healthy group of favourites, when will the leading candidates make their moves, and when could the dark horses strike?
Here’s your round-by-round guide to Monday night’s 2024 Brownlow Medal count.
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MIERS’ ABSURD ASSIST SENDS MCG WILD | 00:48
The favourites we’re analysing, along with their Pointsbet odds of winning the Brownlow (as of 1:30am September 22), are:
$2.40 Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
$2.60 Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
$9 Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)
$13 Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
$34 Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
$51 Tom Green (GWS)
$51 Zach Merrett (Essendon)
$67 Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans)
$67 Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
OPENING ROUND
Patrick Cripps (win vs. BRL): 23 disposals, one goal.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. GWS): Game-high 22.4 rating points, 34 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 clearances, eight inside-50s, one goal.
Lachie Neale (loss vs. CAR): 25 disposals, 13 contested possessions.
Marcus Bontempelli (BYE): Did not play.
Caleb Serong (BYE): Did not play.
Zach Merrett (BYE): Did not play.
Errol Gulden (win vs. MEL): 20 disposals.
Tom Green (win vs. COL): 30 disposals, nine clearances, nine score involvements, six tackles, one goal.
Zak Butters (BYE): Did not play.
Who’ll poll? Daicos could poll first-up despite the loss while Green could also in the win, Cripps is an outside chance given Carlton’s stirring comeback, while Gulden is unlikely as there were better Swans against the Demons.
ROUND 1
Patrick Cripps (win vs. RIC): Game-high 21.1 rating points, 31 disposals, 21 contested possessions, eight intercepts.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. SYD): 37 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances, one goal.
Lachie Neale: Did not play (hamstring).
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. MEL): 25 disposals, game-high 15 contested possessions, nine score involvements, six clearances, six one percenters, one goal.
Caleb Serong (win vs. BRL): Game-high 25.9 rating points, 46 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 10 clearances, seven tackles.
Zach Merrett (win vs. HAW): 31 disposals, eight marks, six clearances.
Errol Gulden (win vs. COL): 30 disposals, 11 score involvements, eight marks, seven inside-50s, 650 metres gained.
Tom Green (win vs. NTH): 37 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 14 score involvements, nine tackles, six clearances, one goal.
Zak Butters (win vs. WCE): 27 disposals, 11 score involvements, eight marks, one goal.
Who’ll poll? Lock away maximum votes for Serong and throw away the key! Green should be, and Cripps could be awarded three votes, while Gulden will find it hard to poll amid Heeney and Warner’s dominance. Butters’ season got off to a strong start, and he should get two votes behind skipper Connor Rozee. Daicos is a decent chance for one or two votes despite losing to that same Swans outfit.
ROUND 2
Patrick Cripps (BYE): Did not play.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. STK): 22 disposals, three clearances.
Lachie Neale (BYE): Did not play.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. GCS): Game-high 24.1 player rating, 32 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 567 metres gained, two goal assists, two goals.
Caleb Serong (win vs. NTH): 35 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, eight clearances, 505 metres gained.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. SYD): 32 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, two goal assists, two goals.
Errol Gulden (win vs. ESS): Game-high 26.2 player rating, 24 disposals, 11 score involvements, nine marks, six rebound 50s, six inside 50s, four goal assists, two goals.
Tom Green (win vs. WCE): 34 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 11 inside 50s, eight clearances, 767 metres gained, six tackles.
Zak Butters (win vs. RIC): 34 disposals, 13 score involvements, seven clearances, seven marks, six inside 50s, three goal assists, one goal,
Who’ll poll? Bontempelli is set to register his first three-vote game for the season against the Suns, with Cody Weightman the only other contender for his six goals. Butters should continue his hot start with a three-vote game against the lowly Tigers. Gulden and Merrett will be in a battle for one vote with Chad Warner, as Swans Tom Papley and Isaac Heeney look likely to go three and two. Serong or his teammate Luke Jackson will jag three against the Kangaroos, with the other set to take two. It’s a bit of a raffle for three in GWS’ win over West Coast, with Green in the running for all, or nothing!
ROUND 3
Patrick Cripps (win vs. NTH): 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine clearances, nine score involvements, one goal.
Nick Daicos (win vs. BRL): 30 disposals, 650 metres gained, five rebound 50s.
Lachie Neale (loss vs. COL): 35 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 10 clearances, one goal.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. WCE): 16 disposals, nine tackles, eight score involvements, six inside 50s, six marks (four contested), three goals.
Caleb Serong (win vs. ADL): 28 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six tackles, 567 metres gained.
Zach Merrett (win vs. STK): 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances.
Errol Gulden (loss vs. RIC): 25 disposals, one goal.
Tom Green (BYE): Did not play.
Zak Butters (loss vs. MEL): 26 disposals.
Who’ll poll? Despite losing by 20 points, Neale’s performance over the Magpies is a legitimate chance of gaining full marks. Daicos’ wasn’t his usual damaging best, but he’s an outside chance to snare one given his side took the points. Cripps is among several Blues players who could pick up minor votes. Similarly, Serong and Merrett may snag a vote in their respective games.
ROUND 4
Patrick Cripps (win vs. FRE): 20 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six tackles, one goal.
Nick Daicos (win vs. HAW): 26 disposals, one goal.
Lachie Neale (win vs. NTH): 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances, six inside 50s.
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. GEE): 35 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 10 tackles, eight score involvements, seven clearances, five rebound 50s, 638 metres gained.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. CAR): 26 disposals, 15 contested, nine clearances.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. PTA): 36 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 721 metres gained, seven clearances, seven inside 50s.
Errol Gulden (win vs. WCE): 25 disposals, 12 score involvements, seven inside 50s, six clearances, six tackles, 719 metres gained, two goals.
Tom Green (win vs. GCS): 23 disposals, eight tackles, six intercepts, six inside 50s.
Zak Butters (win vs. ESS): 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven tackles, six marks, three goal assists.
Who’ll poll? Gulden is in a two-way shootout for the maximum tally with Isaac Heeney this round, but you can lock him in for at least two. Bontempelli had another monster game, but teammate Tom Liberatore had an incredible 19 clearances in their four-point loss to Geelong. Despite his strong stat line, Merrett is only a small chance of a vote given his Bombers lost to Port by 69 points – with Butters potentially sneaking in one vote for his troubles in the same game. Others performed better than Daicos in a slim win over the Hawks. Neale spent most of his last quarter on the bench, leaving other teammates to overtake him as vote preferences.
ROUND 5
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. ADL): 22 disposals, seven clearances, one goal.
Nick Daicos (BYE): Did not play.
Lachie Neale (win vs. MEL): 24 disposals, 14 contested possessions, eight clearances, six tackles.
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. ESS): 17 disposals, five clearances.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. PTA): 29 disposals, 16 contested possessions, eight clearances, eight inside 50s, 511 metres gained.
Zach Merrett (win vs. WBD): 27 disposals, six marks, five inside 50s.
Errol Gulden (BYE): Did not play.
Tom Green (win vs. STK): 24 disposals, 11 contested possessions, one goal.
Zak Butters (win vs. FRE): 24 disposals, nine tackles, 512 metres gained, one goal.
Who’ll poll? A very quiet round for the contenders, with Merrett and Butters the only players a chance to sneak in a vote. Beyond that, there shouldn’t be any surprises.
ROUND 6
Patrick Cripps (win vs. GWS): Round-high 30.3 player rating, 39 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 13 clearances, 11 score involvements, seven tackles.
Nick Daicos (win vs. PTA): Game-high 26.9 player rating, 30 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 14 score involvements, eight clearances, eight inside 50s, 757 metres gained.
Lachie Neale (loss vs. GEE): 28 disposals, seven clearances,
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. STK): 24 disposals, 13 contested possessions, seven intercepts, six tackles, three goals.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. WCE): 27 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six clearances, six tackles.
Zach Merrett (win vs. ESS): 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances, one goal.
Errol Gulden (win vs. GCS): 30 disposals, 502 metres gained, nine inside 50s, four goal assists.
Tom Green (loss vs. CAR): 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six inside 50s.
Zak Butters (loss vs. COL): 31 disposals, six inside 50s, 574 metres gained, one goal.
Who’ll poll? Cripps’ first absolute lock for three votes this season came in a strong win over GWS.Daicos is the most likely of the Magpies to snag three votes against Port, but Will Hoskin-Elliott or Pat Lipinski could pip him.Merrett is in a two-horse race for three with Crows skipper Jordan Dawson who had a monster game, with the Bombers captain likely to poll two. Gulden may sneak a vote against the Suns, but there were better performers.
Who should be leading after seven rounds? The ineligible Isaac Heeney is hotly tipped t0 be leading after Round 6 after a colossal start to the 2024 season. Cripps, Merrett and Connor Rozee all had strong starts too, while Demons skipper Max Gawn will be around the mark.
ROUND 7
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. GEE): 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, eight clearances, eight inside 50s, two goals.
Nick Daicos (draw vs. ESS): Game-high 26.6 player rating, 27 disposals, eight inside 50s, 625 metres gained, one goal.
Lachie Neale (loss vs. GWS): 21 disposals, seven clearances.
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. FRE): 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five clearances, two contested marks.
Caleb Serong (win vs. WBD): 37 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 17 clearances, eight score involvements, five rebound 50s.
Zach Merrett (draw vs. COL): 30 disposals, 10 score involvements, nine tackles, 522 metres gained, Anzac Day Medal.
Errol Gulden (win vs. HAW): 25 disposals, 12 marks, 583 metres gained, one goal.
Tom Green (win vs. BRL): Game-high 19.3 player rating, 37 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven clearances, one goal.
Zak Butters (win vs. STK): 27 disposals, eight score involvements, 504 metres gained.
Who’ll poll? Serong looks likely to poll another three votes against Bontempelli’s Bulldogs in a strong win at home. While Daicos’ Anzac Day game rated well, Merrett took home the medal and looks set to potentially have his first three-vote game for the season. Green’s Anzac Day performance should almost certainly see him poll three votes again too. Cripps would be unlucky to not poll one or two votes despite his side’s close loss to Geelong. Like Round 6, Gulden may again sneak in a minor vote.
ROUND 8
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. COL): 22 disposals, six clearances.
Nick Daicos (win vs. CAR): Game-high 25.1 player rating, 32 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances, seven tackles, seven inside 50s, 626 metres gained, two goals.
Lachie Neale (win vs. GCS): 34 disposals, 13 contested possessions, nine marks, eight tackles, eight inside 50s, two goal assists.
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. HAW): Round-high 31.9 player rating, 26 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, seven clearances, seven inside 50s, four goal assists, two goals.
Caleb Serong (win vs. RIC): 38 disposals, 11 score involvements, eight marks, seven inside 50s, 603 metres gained, six clearances.
Zach Merrett (win vs. WCE): 29 disposals, three goals.
Errol Gulden (win vs. GWS): 29 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven inside 50s, 765 metres gained, five clearances, Brett Kirk Medal.
Tom Green (loss vs. SYD): Three disposals, one clearance, 13 per cent time on ground (injured ankle).
Zak Butters (loss vs. ADL): 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions, nine inside 50s, seven clearances, 624 metres gained.
Who’ll poll? Daicos will have his three vote for a monster game against long time foes Carlton. Bontempelli is a chance to poll three in his match, but may be pipped by Jarmen Impey on the winning side – with both players polling nine coaches votes for the game. Gulden was best on ground medal in the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ against GWS, and could see him snag three votes also. Merrett enjoyed his third straight game of optimal output, and is just as likely as last week to get maximum votes. Serong will poll anywhere from three to one votes, competing with teammates Luke Ryan and Hayden Young. Neale was one of many Lions to stand up amid injury carnage for the Lions and could get one or two votes. Butters played well despite his side’s Showdown loss, and also may poll.
ROUND 9
Patrick Cripps (win vs. MEL): 35 disposals, 19 contested possessions, seven clearances, five one percenters, one goal.
Nick Daicos (win vs. WCE): 36 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven clearances, seven tackles, six inside 50s, one goal.
Lachie Neale (draw vs. ADL): 25 disposals, six tackles.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. RIC): Round-high 28.2 player rating, 32 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 14 score involvements, 10 clearances, seven tackles, seven one percenters, two goals.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. SYD): 34 disposals, 11 contested possessions, seven inside 50s.
Zach Merrett (win vs. GWS): 24 disposals, seven inside 50s, two goal assists.
Errol Gulden (win vs. FRE): 25 disposals, 10 marks, 541 metres gained, five inside 50s.
Tom Green (loss vs. ESS): 34 disposals, 18 contested possessions, seven clearances.
Zak Butters (win vs. GEE): 34 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine marks, seven clearances, 527 metres gained, one goal.
Who’ll poll? Lock Daicos in for three after his efforts against a lowly West Coast. Bontempelli had another monster game, but many of his teammates also feasted out on a lowly Richmond outfit – making it very hard to know if he’ll poll three votes here. Similarly was Butters, who led the Power to their first win down in Geelong for 17 years. Green is a slim chance of polling a solitary vote in his side’s 20-point loss to Essendon. Cripps will be fighting with Sam Walsh for the minor votes after Christian Petracca’s mammoth effort in a losing side.
ROUND 10
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. SYD): 24 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six inside 50s, five clearances.
Nick Daicos (win vs. ADL): 41 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 14 clearances, 543 metres gained.
Lachie Neale (win vs. RIC): Game-high 22.5 player rating, 35 disposals, 11 score involvements, 11 marks, nine inside 50s, six goal assists, 584 metres gained.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. GWS): 18 disposals, eight inside 50s, seven clearances, six one percenters, two contested marks.
Caleb Serong (win vs. STK): 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine clearances.
Zach Merrett (win vs. NTH): 21 disposals, six tackles, one goal.
Errol Gulden (win vs. CAR): 28 disposals, 10 marks, eight inside 50s, 721 metres gained.
Tom Green (loss vs. WBD): 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances.
Zak Butters (win vs. HAW): 32 disposals, 12 contested possessions, eight clearances, six tackles, six inside 50s, 545 metres gained.
Who’ll poll? Neale should be good for three votes against the Tigers, with only Dayne Zorko potentially nabbing three votes off him. There were some strong performers for both the Crows and Magpies that Daicos will need to compete with, but his 41 disposals may be enough for maximum votes – it’s hard to read! Serong should nab a vote or two amid an awful game of football against the Saints at Marvel Stadium, while Butters should jag one.
Who should be leading after Round 10? No surprises here, but Heeney will almost certainly be leading the count still. Serong should be next in line behind the Swan, while Merrett should be thereabouts after Round 8, but won’t poll in rounds 9 or 10. Chad Warner and Daicos will be coming off a hot last month of form.
ROUND 11
Patrick Cripps (win vs. GCS): Game-high 23.8 player rating, 31 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 13 clearances, 11 score involvements, six tackles, one goal.
Nick Daicos (draw vs. FRE): 35 disposals, 10 clearances, 19 contested possessions, nine inside 50s, seven tackles, 582 metres gained.
Lachie Neale (loss vs. HAW): 29 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, nine inside 50s, 637 metres gained.
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. SYD): 26 disposals, 19 contested possessions, seven inside 50s, seven one percenters, six tackles.
Caleb Serong (draw vs. COL): 25 disposals, 11 tackles.
Zach Merrett (win vs. RIC): 31 disposals, 611 metres gained, one goal.
Errol Gulden (win vs. WBD): Game-high 24.3 player rating, 25 disposals, nine intercepts, seven tackles, five inside 50s, one goal.
Tom Green (win vs. GEE): 28 disposals, 17 contested possessions, six tackles.
Zak Butters (win vs. NTH): 19 disposals, six inside 50s, two goal assists, two goals.
Who’ll poll? Bontempelli and Gulden are probably as likely as each other to poll in their Thursday night clash, with Chad Warner certain to take the three. Cripps should poll maximum votes, but may be edged out by fellow midfielder Sam Walsh. Daicos’ efforts in a draw out west could see him poll three, but Luke Ryan, Jordan Clark and Andrew Brayshaw will be hot on his heels. Merrett should poll a minor score, while Neale could poll one in a losing side?
ROUND 12
Patrick Cripps (win vs. PTA): 22 disposals, 11 score involvements, six inside 50s, two goals.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. WBD): Round-high 32.2 player rating, 32 disposals, 27 contested possessions, 16 clearances, 627 metres gained, eight inside 50s, two goals.
Lachie Neale (BYE): Did not play.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. COL): 38 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 clearances, nine tackles, two goals.
Caleb Serong (win vs. MEL): 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, eight clearances, six inside 50s, one goal.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. GCS): 33 disposals, eight inside 50s, seven clearances, 601 metres gained, six marks.
Errol Gulden (BYE): Did not play.
Tom Green (BYE): Did not play.
Zak Butters (loss vs. CAR): 24 disposals, 15 contested possessions.
Who’ll poll? The battle for three between Bontempelli and Daicos’s Friday night clash will be nothing short of fascinating. The Dogs skipper on a winning side should feel the safest, but there is a world where Daicos’ absurd performance sees him pip ‘The Bont’. There were other Blues better than Cripps, but he could poll anything in his side’s six-goal win over Port. Serong may sneak in a vote, but there were plenty of big performers for Freo in a 92-point win over Melbourne in Alice Springs. Merrett is unlikely to be seen on the big screen in a loss to the Suns, despite his good stat line.
ROUND 13
Patrick Cripps (win vs. ESS): 19 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances.
Nick Daicos (win vs. MEL): 15 disposals, seven clearances, one goal.
Lachie Neale (win vs. WBD): Game-high 25.3 player rating, 38 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 10 clearances, two goals.
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. BRL): 19 disposals, nine score involvements, six marks, six one percenters, three goals, two contested marks.
Caleb Serong (BYE): Did not play.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. CAR): 21 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 11 tackles, six clearances.
Errol Gulden (win vs. GEE): 37 disposals, 15 score involvements, eight marks, 733 metres gained, seven inside 50s, three goal assists, one goal.
Tom Green (loss vs. HAW): 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five rebound 50s.
Zak Butters (BYE): Did not play.
Who’ll poll? It wasn’t a big weekend for the Brownlow favourites in Round 13. Neale should snag three votes against the Dogs in what was arguably at the time was his best performance for 2024 – with Eric Hipwood the only player who could snatch maximum votes for his six-goal haul. Similarly, Gulden should also get maximum votes, but Heeney will be hot on his heels with another strong performance.
ROUND 14
Patrick Cripps (BYE): Did not play.
Nick Daicos (win vs. NTH): Game-high 26.7 player rating, 29 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, six clearances, six inside 50s, three goal assists, two goals.
Lachie Neale (win vs. STK): 20 disposals, 13 contested possessions, seven clearances, six inside 50s, two goal assists.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. FRE): Game-high 27.7 player rating, 30 disposals, 15 score involvements, eight inside 50s, eight marks, seven clearances, three goal assists, three goals.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. WBD): 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine clearances.
Zach Merrett (BYE): Did not play.
Errol Gulden (win vs. ADL): 35 disposals, 12 inside 50s, 10 clearances, 10 score involvements, 768 metres gained, six tackles.
Tom Green (win vs. PTA): 30 disposals.
Zak Butters (loss vs. GWS): 17 disposals, 10 contested possessions.
Who’ll poll? A humungous game from Bontempelli will certainly see him rack up another three votes against the Dockers. Joel Amartey will take the three votes from Gulden, but he should get two for another large effort. Daicos should sneak away with at least two, if not three votes after his game against North – but it’s worth noting that plenty of players from either side performed well.
ROUND 15
Patrick Cripps (win vs. GEE): 41 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 14 clearances.
Nick Daicos (BYE): Did not play.
Lachie Neale (win vs. PTA): Game-high 27.9 player rating, 37 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, 10 clearances, seven marks, six tackles, two goal assists
Marcus Bontempelli (BYE): Did not play.
Caleb Serong (win vs. GCS): 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances, one goal.
Zach Merrett (win vs. WCE): 28 disposals, 13 score involvements, eight marks, five goal assists, one goal.
Errol Gulden (win vs. GWS): 41 disposals, 12 marks, 10 intercepts, 973 metres gained, seven inside 50s, five rebound 50s, two goal assists, one goal, Brett Kird Medal.
Tom Green (loss vs. GWS): 35 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight marks, five rebound 50s.
Zak Butters (loss vs. BRL): 35 disposals, 13 score involvements, eight clearances, six tackles, one goal.
Who’ll poll? Lock Errol Gulden in for another three-vote game against the Giants, who won his third consecutive Brett Kirk Medal. Neale should definitely get three for his monster effort in drubbing Port. Cripps had a huge game against the Cats, but Tom De Koning was on another planet – and should in theory pip him for three votes. Merrett deserves a vote for his performance, but may be beaten by the likes of Jake Stringer, Jye Caldwell and Jayden Laverde.
Who should be leading after Round 15? This is were the changing of the guard between Heeney and co could happen. Long-term form suggests Heeney should still just be holding onto his lead, but Daicos and Cripps won’t be far behind. Serong and Merrett will have dropped off after a quieter patch, and while he won’t be leading, Gulden will be in great form and polling well at this point.
ROUND 16
Patrick Cripps (win vs. RIC): Round-high 27.6 player rating, 40 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 14 clearances, nine inside 50s, three goal assists, two intercept marks, one goal.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. GCS): 32 disposals, nine score involvements, 691 metres gained, two goal assists, two goals.
Lachie Neale (win vs. MEL): 29 disposals, 12 contested possessions, nine marks, six clearances.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. NTH): Game-high 22.6 player rating, 35 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 11 clearances, seven inside 50s, seven one percenters, 647 metres gained.
Caleb Serong (win vs. SYD): 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, nine score involvements, eight clearances, seven tackles, one goal.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. GEE): 23 disposals, one goal.
Errol Gulden (loss to FRE): 21 disposals, eight score involvements.
Tom Green (loss vs. ADL): 38 disposals, 17 contested possessions.
Zak Butters (win vs. STK): Game-high 21.2 player rating, 22 disposals, seven inside 50s, 569 metres gained, one goal.
Who’ll poll? Cripps’ stat line speaks for itself, and you can lock him in for three big ones this round. Will almost certainly be Bontempelli’s second straight match with maximum votes. Serong looks a notable chance for the votes, but three big ones may be a stretch. Daicos should bank two votes behind Noah Anderson, but Ben Ainsworth may reduce that down to one. Butters should get two votes if Jason Horne-Francis pips him for three, after a high-impact game against the Saints.
ROUND 17
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. GWS): Game-high 30.7 player rating, 33 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 11 clearances, nine score involvements, two goals.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. ESS): 31 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 12 clearances.
Lachie Neale (win vs. ADL): Game-high 24.1 player rating, 36 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 clearances, nine marks, six inside 50s, three goals.
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. PTA): 21 disposals, five inside 50s, two goals.
Caleb Serong (win vs. RIC): 27 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances, seven inside 50s.
Zach Merrett (win vs. COL): Round-high 33.7 player rating, 30 disposals, 15 score involvements, six intercepts, six marks, one goal.
Errol Gulden (loss vs. STK): 28 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven intercepts, six inside 50s.
Tom Green (win vs. CAR): 33 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six clearances, six inside 50s, one goal.
Zak Butters (win vs. WBD): Game-high 22.2 player rating, 33 disposals, 10 marks, six clearances, one goal.
Who’ll poll? Lock Neale in for the top threshold after a humungous game against Adelaide. Merrett looks best placed to score three votes against the Pies, while Daicos would be lucky to get one after some poor ball use. Cripps should poll in some capacity against the Giants in what was an extraordinary game of football. Butters may sneak a vote in against the Bulldogs, but Horne-Francis will again be hot on his tail.
ROUND 18
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. WBD): Game-high 24.4 player rating, 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 11 clearances, eight tackles, seven inside 50s, 550 metres gained, two contested marks, two goals.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. GEE): five rebound 50s
Lachie Neale (win vs. WCE): Game-high 24.9 player rating, 34 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 13 clearances, nine tackles, two goals.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. CAR): 20 disposals, nine tackles, eight clearances, six inside 50s, one goal.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. HAW): 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, seven clearances, six tackles, one goal.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. MEL): 25 disposals, six inside 50s, two goal assists.
Errol Gulden (win vs. NTH): 41 disposals, 15 inside 50s, 15 score involvements, 13 contested possessions, eight marks, 738 metres gained, three goal assists.
Tom Green (win vs. RIC): 37 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven tackles.
Zak Butters (loss vs. GCS): 35 disposals, 12 marks, 554 metres gained, one goal.
Who’ll poll? Neale will go back-to-back with maximum votes this week after another big outing. Cripps will be in a two-horse race for maximum votes with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in the Blues’ loss – and if it’s not three votes, it should be one at worst. Gulden’s insane game against the Kangaroos really should get him three votes, but Chad Warner and Tom Papley are also in the mix. Green should sneak a vote in for his 37 touches against the Tigers, as should Butters in a loss against the Suns.
ROUND 19
Patrick Cripps (win vs. NTH): 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine clearances, nine score involvements, seven tackles.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. COL): 24 disposals, six clearances, eight score involvements, one goal.
Lachie Neale (win vs. SYD): 18 disposals, six clearances.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. GEE): 27 disposals, 19 contested possessions, eight clearances, eight one percenters.
Caleb Serong (win vs. MEL): Game-high 21.9 player rating, 36 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances, one goal.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. ADL): 30 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, eight clearances, seven inside 50s, two goal assists, one goal.
Errol Gulden (loss vs. BRL): 27 disposals, seven inside 50s, seven marks, one goal.
Tom Green (win vs. GCS): 34 disposals, seven tackles, 633 metres gained.
Zak Butters (win vs. RIC): 28 disposals, seven inside 50s.
Who’ll poll? One of Serong or Andrew Brayshaw will walk away with the three votes for Freo against the Demons. Sheezel could be the threat to Cripps’ three-vote game, despite the North young gun playing in a loss. Gulden andMerrett could both sneak a vote in their side’s respective two-point losses, as could Green in a win over the Suns.
ROUND 20
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. PTA): 25 disposals, 18 contested possessions, eight clearances.
Nick Daicos (win vs. RIC): Game-high 20.1 player rating, 42 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 12 score involvements, 11 clearances, eight inside 50s, 613 metres gained.
Lachie Neale (win vs. GCS): 35 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 10 clearances, seven marks, one goal.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. SYD): 22 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six clearances, one goal.
Caleb Serong (win vs. WCE): 32 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 12 score involvements, 10 clearances, eight inside 50s, 525 metres gained, one goal, Glendinning-Allan Medal.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. STK): 24 disposals, one goal.
Errol Gulden (loss vs. WBD): 27 disposals, seven inside 50s, 570 metres gained, one goal.
Tom Green (win vs. MEL): 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions, nine clearances, one goal.
Zak Butters (win vs. CAR): 23 disposals.
Who’ll poll? Daicos’ first quarter against the Tigers alone was enough for votes, with the rest of his game locking him in for three big ones. Serong won his third Glendinning-Allan Medal in the west, and subsequently should snag three of his own. Green could snag one or two for his game against Melbourne in a tight win. Neale is every chance of three votes, but Dayne Zorko won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal – which may leave him with two instead.
ROUND 21
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. COL): 30 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine inside 50s, nine score involvements, seven clearances, 556 metres gained, one goal.
Nick Daicos (win vs. CAR): 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight inside 50s, seven intercepts, seven clearances, six tackles, one goal.
Lachie Neale (win vs. STK): 33 disposals, 13 clearances, 13 contested possessions, six marks.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. MEL): 33 disposals, 16 score involvements, nine inside 50s, seven marks, 532 metres gained, five one percenters, two goal assists, two goals.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. ESS): 32 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s, 544 metres gained.
Zach Merrett (win vs. FRE): 29 disposals, seven tackles.
Errol Gulden (loss vs. PTA): 25 disposals, seven intercepts, six inside 50s, five rebound 50s.
Tom Green (win vs. HAW): 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions, six clearances, one goal.
Zak Butters (win vs. SYD): 30 disposals, 10 score involvements, eight tackles, seven inside 50s, two goal assists.
Who’ll poll? The Bulldogs skipper should pick up another three votes here, but All-Australian teammate Adam Treloar is a slight chance of pipping him. Cripps looks the likeliest to poll three votes over Daicos, even though his side just fell short. Neale should poll in his side’s monster win over the Saints, but how many votes he gets is less clear. Butters is one of many Power players who could poll minor votes in their 122-point drubbing of Sydney.
ROUND 22
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. HAW): 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances, seven tackles.
Nick Daicos (loss vs. SYD): 25 disposals, 13 contested possessions, nine clearances.
Lachie Neale (loss vs. GWS): 24 disposals, seven inside 50s, one goal.
Marcus Bontempelli (loss vs. ADL): 26 disposals, seven marks, six tackles, two contested marks, two goals.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. GEE): 22 disposals, six clearances, three goals.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. GCS): Game-high 21.3 player rating, 32 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, 10 inside 50s, 585 metres gained.
Errol Gulden (win vs. COL): 14 disposals, one goal.
Tom Green (win vs. BRL): 28 disposals, eight inside 50s.
Zak Butters (win vs. MEL): 30 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 579 metres gained, one goal.
Who’ll poll? There aren’t many of the favourites set to poll at all in the third-last round of the count. Serong should poll a couple of votes despite a loss to the Cats, while Merrett could also poll in the Bombers’ heartbreaking loss to Gold Coast under the roof. Looks to be another round of minor votes for Butters after a two-point win over the Demons.
ROUND 23
Patrick Cripps (win vs. WCE): Game-high 22.4 player rating, 35 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 12 score involvements, 10 clearances, eight inside 50s, two contested marks.
Nick Daicos (win vs. BRL): 25 disposals, nine score involvements, two goals.
Lachie Neale (loss vs. COL): Game-high 21.9 player rating, 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, eight clearances, two goals.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. NTH): 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, eight marks, six marks, two goal assists.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. GWS): 24 disposals, 10 clearances, two goals.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. SYD): 17 disposals.
Errol Gulden (win vs. ESS): 25 disposals, eight inside 50s, six clearances, 534 metres gained, four goal assists.
Tom Green (win vs. FRE): 40 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 13 clearances, nine score involvements, seven inside 50s.
Zak Butters (win vs. ADL): 42 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 10 clearances, 10 score involvements, 748 metres gained, one goal, Showdown Medal.
Who’ll poll? Butters was the best of the contenders in the penultimate round, playing a cracking Showdown to register a monster stat line and take home the best-on-ground honours. Cripps’ leading performance against the Eagles should see him poll three votes, with the skipper at his impactful best.Oddly, Daicos seems the most likely to poll maximum votes despite Neale’s game being rated higher.Green should poll at least one, if not two votes for his 40 touches – but will certainly be beaten by the ridiculous performance of teammate Brent Daniels against Serong’s Dockers. Gulden is a sneaky, but unlikely chance for one vote.
ROUND 24
Patrick Cripps (loss vs. STK): 30 disposals, 18 contested possessions, nine tackles, eight clearances.
Nick Daicos (win vs. MEL): Game-high 21.3 player rating, 40 disposals, 11 score involvements, 11 marks, 10 inside 50s, nine clearances, 675 metres gained, two goals.
Lachie Neale (win vs. ESS): Game-high 28 player rating, 40 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, eight intercepts, seven inside 50s, seven clearances, seven marks, two goal assists, one goal.
Marcus Bontempelli (win vs. GWS): Game-high 22.1 player rating, 22 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 11 clearances, seven tackles, seven inside 50s, one goal.
Caleb Serong (loss vs. PTA): 19 disposals, 10 tackles.
Zach Merrett (loss vs. BRL): 37 disposals, nine score involvements, eight marks, 536 metres gained, five rebound 50s, one goal.
Errol Gulden (win vs. ADL): 24 disposals, eight clearances, two goals.
Tom Green (loss vs. WBD): 37 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven clearances, one goal.
Zak Butters (win vs. FRE): 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, seven intercepts, six clearances.
Who’ll poll? Lachie Neale finished August on a high with a match that will all but finish his Brownlow night with three votes. Opposition skipper Zach Merrett should sneak in a vote for his match, albeit in a losing side. Daicos will absolutely follow in Neale’s footsteps, and will get three votes also. Bontempelli will be hoping to sneak in a vote or two for his epic finish to the home-and-away season, but teammate Ed Richards looks likeliest to claim the three. Opponent Tom Green finished off strong, but despite his strong stat line, would be lucky to poll a vote given the unfavourable result. How Cripps polls will be fascinating, with a last-gasp loss amid the performance of several other teammates putting a question mark on whether he does get three. Gulden should pick up one or two of his own, behind at least Nick Blakey for the optimal number. Butters is once again in the conversation for minor votes, after an influential game out west.
Source Agencies
