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With the excitement of footy being back, I’ve decided to run a Brownlow count for each game this year.
Collingwood versus Richmond
3. Scott Pendlebury
2. Steele Sidebottom
1. Trent Cotchin
Pendlebury and Sidebottom were sublime with their composure and ball use, while Cotchin’s attack on the footy was ferocious. Taylor Adams was also outstanding, especially early, and could easily get three votes.
Geelong versus Hawthorn
3. Joel Selwood
2. Gary Ablett
1. Brandon Parfitt
Selwood and Ablett wound back the clock to show their class in a big win. Parfitt looks likely to take his game to the next level with his explosive power and agility, while Gryan Miers could sneak a vote with three goals.
Brisbane versus Fremantle
3. Lachie Neale
2. Nat Fyfe
1. Michael Walters
Four players put on a fine display at the Gabba – Neale, Fyfe, Walters and Charlie Cameron. Neale did it all, Fyfe got the Dockers back in the game with three goals, Walters almost won it at the death, and Cameron was the key finisher for the Lions.
I went with Neale as the most dominant player on the ground, while Fyfe’s voting prowess got him the two votes.
Carlton versus Melbourne
3. Christian Petracca
2. Max Gawn
1. Clayton Oliver
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There were no standouts for Carlton, though Patrick Cripps’s huge last quarter could sneak him a vote. Everything Petracca touched turned to gold, while Gawn’s ruckwork was sublime.
Gold Coast versus West Coast
3. Matt Rowell
2. Lachie Weller
1. Sam Day
What an incredible performance from the second gamer Rowell. Weller was a key ball winner and goalkicker for the Suns, while the one vote is a bit of a lottery.
Port Adelaide versus Adelaide
3. Travis Boak
2. Steven Motlop
1. Connor Rozee
There are plenty of contenders for votes, including Xavier Duursma’s three goals and Zac Butters’ soccer goal out of mid-air.
Rozee set up the win early on and should be rewarded for his run from midfield, but Boak and Motlop may have caught the umpires’ eyes as the only top-five ball winners to get on the scoreboard.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
North Melbourne versus GWS
3. Todd Goldstein
2. Shaun Higgins
1. Jared Polec
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Goldy rolled back the clock with a fine around the ground performance. Polec was scrappy but prolific, while Higgins was all class. Jy Simpkin is the danger with a solid clearance game.
Essendon versus Sydney
3. Zac Merrett
2. Jake Lloyd
1. Andrew McGrath
Adam Saad was once again fantastic, winning countless crucial one-on-ones before surging forward. He may miss out though to higher ball-winners, including Merrett’s outstanding four-quarter performance.
St Kilda versus Western Bulldogs
3. Jack Billings
2. Zak Jones
1. Jade Gresham
As the Saints ran riot, Billings continued his remarkable turnaround on goal-kicking accuracy to kick three. Jones, Gresham and Jack Steele won the midfield battle, and could split the rest of the votes in any order. Jones may get the nod for his powerful bursts through out of the clearances.
