I think the 2019 AFL season has been pretty great.
It’s had a bit of everything – some good, bad, ugly and truly special moments.
For the first time in a very long time, the home and away season has had some real unpredictability about it.
Yes, there is a ladder order reflecting best to worst in the comp but this year, you really feel like there are still plenty of teams in with a genuine chance of playing finals and winning the 2019 premiership.
While this is a team sport, there are still plenty of individual accolades there for the taking.
The All Australian team, Coleman, Rising Star, Club best and fairests, mark and goal of the year…
And then there’s the Brownlow.
The highest individual honour in the competition for the best and fairest player of that year.
At the pointy end of the home and away season, we usually have some sort of idea who will take home the Charlie.
But, similar to how this season has played out, there are plenty of players who could be crowned the best of this year.
So… who wins the Brownlow?
My Mid-Year Pick: Patrick Cripps
It’s been a rollercoaster year for the Blues but through the darkness (and recent light), they have always been able to count on Patrick Cripps.
He’s a star of the competition and for most of the season, has carried Carlton through to the final siren.
There have been many best on ground displays, with this weekend against Adelaide no exception. His 39 touches, 19 clearances (second ever by a player in the AFL), seven tackles and a goal was just a reminder (not that we needed one) of what a force he is.
Since Carlton’s revival under David Teague, the Blues could finish the season with 7 or 8 wins, which would be enough to give Cripps a serious shot at the Brownlow.
Despite missing two games through injury, he may have done enough in those victories and close losses over the year.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The Favourite – Tim Kelly
It’s hard to believe that Geelong’s Tim Kelly is playing just his second season of AFL. It’s not hard to believe that he’s the favourite to take home the Charlie this year.
His brilliance, along with the Cats sitting on top of the AFL ladder would have to put him in pretty good position.
He hasn’t missed a game (or many beats, really) since his debut last season. His 36 touches, 11 clearances, seven tackles and two goals against North Melbourne in Round 8 just highlights what he is capable of – but there are plenty more performances where that came from.
There are two things, however, standing in Kelly’s way to Brownlow glory. The first, his teammates. The likes of Ablett and Dangerfield will likely take some votes away from the young star.
The second, a small “form slump” in the back end of the season saw him tally over 30 possessions just once between rounds 14 and 18. That has taken some shine off his favouritism.
My Mid-Year Smoky – Travis Boak
While Cripps and Kelly are the obvious choices on everyone’s radar, they may be two of only a few players having a better season than Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak. He has pulled together an extraordinary season and plenty are taking notice.
He is averaging over 30 disposals a game, 5.2 tackles and 7.2 clearances a game – clearly a move back into the middle of the ground was a smart one.
He has missed just the one game this season and I’d still have him right up there in the top handful of players this season.
The Best in the Middle – Adam Treloar and Lachie Neale
It would be wrong to say that 2019 has been a revival of Lachie Neale’s career because he was a great player at Fremantle.
But adding him into the Lions’ midfield this year has not only helped the team surge up the ladder, but has seen Neale himself take the next step in his career.
He is shining in Australia’s sunny state and has become a true leader of the competition. Neale boasts a season average of 31.5 touches, 8.1 clearances and 3.6 tackles… that’s impressive.
Brisbane’s success this season will definitely have him in contention and could ice a very rich Lions cake this season.
Likewise Adam Treloar, who has had a standout year in a very talented Collingwood midfield. Treloar has gathered over 30 touches in all but three games so far this year – a monster effort along the likes of Sidebottom and Pendles. Another one to keep your eye on.
The Ruckman – Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
Once upon a time ruckmen used to win the Brownlow. Melbourne’s Jim Stynes and Footscray’s Scotty Whyd won back-to-back in ’91 and ’92 and many say they will be the last.
And then Brodie Grundy rises to the occasion and gives us a cracker of a season. It seems unlikely that a ruckman will win a Brownlow again but Grundy’s constant influence on a game could see him come close.
His numbers – both in the ruck and around the ground – are elite. Grundy averages 41.3 hitouts (12.4 to advantage) a game… but also 20.7 touches, 4.4 marks and 4.3 tackles adds another dimension to his game. That’s covering great ground.
If he, and Collingwood, can finish the year strongly, we could see another big man take home the Charlie.
(Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
The Second Brownlow – Nat Fyfe and Patrick Dangerfield
Despite a couple of niggles throughout the year, 2019 has been another impressive year for Freo captain Nat Fyfe.
To this point in the season, his numbers are on par (and in some areas, better) than his Brownlow year in 2015.
Fyfe usually polls well and you can never really put him out of the frame, but you would expect livewire Michael Walters to take some votes off his captain.
The 2016 Brownlow medallist is in good shape, too. Like Fyfe, Dangerfield’s versatility and game breaking ability makes him a forever dangerous player.
He is averaging over 26 touches a game but has also kicked 19 goals for the season.
The Bolters: Jake Lloyd, Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Shuey
There’s always a “bolter” in the Brownlow voting – the unsung hero of the season who comes from left field and polls incredibly well on the evening.
He doesn’t come in as a talked about favourite, but usually finishes in the top five and leaves plenty in his wake.
Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw did it last season, finishing third and there are a few quite achievers who could do the same this year.
Now, everyone’s “bolter(s)” will be different, but no one should be too surprised by mine, as all four men have had rather exceptional seasons and would be in with a shot.
And then there’s the ineligible, highlighted by Geelong superstar Gary Ablett. He can’t win it, but that doesn’t mean he can’t and won’t poll well.
The Geelong superstar has “reinvented” himself as a small forward and this season and is having as great an impact as he was in the midfield years ago.
He’s always in the spotlight on Brownlow night and this year will be no exception.
But Gary can’t win it… so who will?
My head says Cripps, my heart says Boak or Neale but my gut tells me Tim Kelly will be our 2019 Brownlow medallist.
What do you think?
Unknown
Roar Rookie
I'd love to see big Brodie Grundy winning the Brownlow. Obviously as seen in the last 20 years, midfielders tend to clean up all the brownlow votes hence why Patrick Cripps and potentially Lachie Neale are favorites. But would'nt it be great to see Grundy win, he's an absolute superstar.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Agree . Lachie Neale will have crossed from Freo to bring home Charlie with Brisbane in his first year. Great for Lachie, painful for Freo fans.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Whomever finishes strongest of Cripps, Kelly or Neale.
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
Brad Sheppard is the smokie and gun Yeo is definitely in the mix
George Apps
Roar Rookie
Marnie, I believe the Brownlow medal is for the FAIREST and best player, not necessarily best & fairest.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Half season won’t win it.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Kelly has been pretty consistent. He has this way of weaving between opponents and seems to have ages to get the kick. Danger far more explosive and probably noticed. Not sure either will get it, Ablett would have pulled some big votes and deprived them until he got rubbed out.
IAP
Guest
He got flogged by Gawn when they played Melbourne.
IAP
Guest
I agree on Danger; he's been the stand-out in the Cats games I've seen. There seems to be a bit of self-fulfilling prophecy with Kelly; people think he will win so they say he played well, even when he didn't. Sort of like the year Swan won it. Gaff is a bit Priddis/Swan/Oliver like - gets lots of touches but they're not damaging. Yeo and Shuey are much better players.
DTM
Guest
Whilst I agree the front runners are Cripps, Neale and Kelly (in no particular order), I think that Grundy has been the most influential player this year. He has carried the Pies ruck and contributed significantly to their midfield. Can't think of a game where he's been beaten. Unfortunately, it's now a midfielder's medal so he'll finish about 10th with other non midfielders behind him.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Yeo is having a monster half of a season since the bye. And three or four 2 vote games before that.
Scott
Guest
No eagle will win unfortunately. Both Yeo and Shuey are good enough players to win a brownlow but there is too big a spread of players at West Coast. JK will get 3 votes from the weekend, plus Darling and Hurn have had certain 3 vote games. Cripps, McGovern and Sheppard have all potentially had 3 vote games as well. Throw in the fact that Gaff gets 30 possessions every week and Sheed has regularly done that as well, there just isn’t enough available votes for Yeo or Shuey. I don’t have a tip for the winner, but I reckon the best value bet will be Dangerfield. He has shortened right in now but he should definitely be shorter then Kelly. He’s played a lot of 3 vote games but has been receiving way less media attention then Kelly, due to his own high standards
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
A defender winning the Brownlow? About as likely as a standard bred horse winning the Melbourne Cup.
Graeme
Roar Rookie
Next you will be saying Bradbury didn't deserve his gold medal. Priddis was fair and a very deserving winner. Crouch will do very well because umpires don't mind giving blokes who get the ball and don't gob off too much. Adelaide are a 50/50 side with no one really pinching votes off Brad Crouch. He will get the odd 3, plenty of 2's and 1's in a low count. Freo have lost too much for Fyfe to win, especially after he missed a couple of games with injury. Cripps got hard tagged out big time for about 4 weeks and has missed a few weeks. I called Priddis to win at work the day he won it. Kelly might have not have done enough after the bye. Lachie Neale may be the best chance outside of Crouch.
IAP
Guest
Haha. I can imagine him plodding up to the dais, saying something of no consequence and then plodding away. Crouch winning it would be as bad as Priddis winning it.
IAP
Guest
I have a long-running argument with a mate who's a Carlton fan about Bont and Cripps; it's a fun argument to have and I'd take either. Bont has the skills and Cripps has the will and grunt, and there's no doubt both will be top 5 for a while yet. Cripps was probably number 1 before he got injured this year. They're the sort of players you turn up to watch. I'd put Shuey on top for West Coast; Sheed has been up and down and Gaff doesn't do as much with the ball. Yeo is a good player but I think he's been a touch down on last year. It's an interesting year because there's players who have had stand-out games but haven't been that good when they haven't been the dominant player. I'd expect lots of 3 votes but not many 2's and 1's from the top few players this year.
MAx
Guest
Neale for the win
Graeme
Guest
My prediction is Brad Crouch. He’s fair, always under the umpires noses and every week gets leather poisoning. I will put lazy $10 on him.
Nick
Roar Guru
Who are the top 5 possession getters for this year? That's who is winning the brownlow.
Klompy
Guest
Actually IAP Brad Sheppard is having a fantastic year. He could be a smokey for the Brownlow. Backman have won a brownlow before and it could happen again.