Hawthorn midfielder Tom Mitchell is the raging Brownlow medal favourite.
Various bookmakers rate the Hawk a $1.25 fancy with the next best – Patrick Cripps or Dustin Martin – drifting out to $10 or upwards.
But many pundits reckon the race for the Brownlow is much tighter and could come down to this weekend’s last round of voting.
Here’s a glance at the contenders.
* TOM MITCHELL. The Hawthorn onballer has a whopping 129 more disposals than the next best and averages 36 a game. He finished third in last year’s count with 25 votes in a Hawthorn side that missed the finals. Also fifth in the competition for frees for. An accumulator rather than eye-catcher, will teammates Jaeger O’Meara or Luke Bruest steal votes?
* PATRICK CRIPPS. The Carlton gun is fifth on the disposals list, averages 29 a game, and is also equal seventh in the league for tackles laid. Has turned in a number of outstanding games but will be hurt by the trend of umpires awarding maximum votes to someone on the winning team – the Blues have just two victories this season.
* DUSTIN MARTIN. By his own admission, the Tiger megastar hasn’t entirely recaptured his stunning form of last season when he took the Brownlow with 36 votes. But still has produced at least four standout games and a number when if not best-afield, close to it. Averages 25 disposals a game, tops the league for inside 50s and has kicked 29 goals to be a genuine chance.
* MAX GAWN. The Melbourne ruckman has dominated the rucks, with 149 hit-outs more than the next best. Also averages 16 disposals a game and considered a chance for maximum votes in at least five games. But no ruckman has won the medal since Scott Wynd in 1992. And teammate Clayton Oliver could pinch votes from him.
* CLAYTON OLIVER. Only two players have collected more disposals than the bullocking Demons midfielder. Averages 30 touches and seven tackles a game and considered a near-certainty to poll maximum votes in at least three games. But will Gawn’s excellence deny him full votes, or visa versa?
* BRODIE GRUNDY. The Collingwood ruck sits behind Gawn for hit-outs but is been influential around the ground, averaging 21 disposals a game. His side is also returning to the finals with a healthy dose of wins but may suffer from the umpires’ traditional lack of ruck recognition, and the flashy feats of teammates Steele Sidebottom and Jordan de Goey.
* DAYNE BEAMS. The Brisbane star is averaging 29 disposals a game and is a chance of at least four best-on-grounds. Will be hampered by his team losing more games than winning. Polled 17 votes last season when the Lions won five games – same as this season. A sneaky chance if the leaders poll relatively low.
R'n'R
Guest
On a recent thread, someone derided the AFL clubs in the ACT as completely being dependent on pokie money and government handouts. I thought it quite unfair, as it's pretty much Hawthorns business plan.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
5 X AFL Premiers. 5 X against non-MCG tennants. Coincidence?... P!$$ant clubs that have to sell themselves to Tassie require a certain level of assistance though. Stop pretending you're one of the powerhouse clubs in Melbourne. It's embarrassing comparing yourself to the likes of the Pies, Dons and Richmond.
New York Hawk
Roar Rookie
If we had to remember every dirty act a Cats player committed we would be here recalling them until the end of time. All I remember is that when the going gets tough against the Hawks, the Cats have been found out. Every. Single. Time. Cats = great team during the regular season (sometimes)
New York Hawk
Roar Rookie
Who could forget that?! It was priceless in both its accuracy and humor! Sam Mitchell was 10X the player of every player wearing a Bombers jersey that day. As for the Pies, they are are poor man’s Hawks - from the president and coach all the way down to the bottom six players and the supporters - so much so that any comparison is offensive to the Hawks. Two premierships in 60 seasons. That is one more than St Kilda in 60 years and their three premierships in 70 years is one more than the Bulldogs in 70 years. Beyond pathetic, especially trying to drag the great clubs down.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
pure gold - lovely to see a player have the guts to question the accountibilty of players at another club.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It's ingrained in the Mitchell name at Hawthorn Rick. Remember the Sam Mitchell arm signal to the Essendon players post supplement scandal?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I hope they replay Mitchell's 500 metres off the ball accidental elbow to Goldstein's head come Brownlow night. Dirty stinking Hawk.
Graeme
Guest
So your saying Beams should win it because his father passed away. How many other AFL players lost a family member this year? Tom Mitchell should win it by a mile, and well deserved too. If he doesn't it is a big joke.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
If the umpires agree with Bucks' take on Mitchell, Dusty could well be a chance. As well as those stats above he is second across the league in centre clearances. Down in numbers on last year but still has a huge impact right under the umpires' noses. Mitchell an odds on favourite for good reason, though.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
SImilar path to Greg Williams, another one the Swans let go who went on to win the Brownlow. Personally would rather Dayne Beams wins it after a tumultuous year losing his father. Cripps would be a worthy winner too.