Opinion
This is who I think picked up the Brownlow votes the past two weeks.
Western Bulldogs versus Sydney
3. Marcus Bontempelli
2. Tom Papley
1. Tim English
What a performance from Bontempelli. His courage was inspirational, and helped the Dogs roll the Swans. Papley did his best to fight back to no avail, while English was too good for Callum Sinclair.
Collingwood versus GWS
3. Scott Pendlebury
2. Toby Greene
1. Josh Kelly
Despite the loss, Pendlebury never stopped making time stand still and was probably best on ground. Greene got a tough run from the umpires on the night, so it will be interesting to see how they rated his match-winning performance after the game.
Port Adelaide versus West Coast
3. Charlie Dixon
2. Hamish Hartlett
1. Brad Ebert
Dixon stole the show with six goals (or seven and a half, adjusted for normal game time). It was a bit of lottery among a few Port players, but Hartlett and Ebert were very solid.
St Kilda versus Richmond
3. Dan Butler
2. Jack Billings
1. Tim Membrey
Butler ran riot as the Saints were too fast for the Tigers. Billings has resurrected his career under Brett Ratten. Rowan Marshall against Toby Nankervis was an even battle, and they may have cancelled each other out despite fine performances from both.
Gold Coast versus Fremantle
3. Matt Rowell 2.5
2. Touk Miller 1.5
1. Jarrod Witts 1.5
Matt Rowell did it again and will be sorely missed after injuring his shoulder. Michael Walters just misses out in another loss for Freo, while Miller and Witts continued their solid form.
(Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )
Carlton versus Essendon
3. Sam Docherty
2. David Cunningham
1. Levi Casboult
Docherty’s return has been crucial for the Blues, pressing forward with ease in a close victory. Cunningham and Casboult played the games of their lives, and either could get the two votes.
Brisbane versus Adelaide
3. Hugh McCluggage
2. Jarrod Berry
1. Lachie Neale
More votes for Neale, who must be a short favourite to win the award. However, kicking six behinds probably puts him out of contention for the three votes, and McCluggage’s movement was sublime, despite also being wayward in front of goal.
Geelong versus Melbourne
3. Cam Guthrie
2. Angus Brayshaw
1. Patrick Dangerfield
Dangerfield was almost back to his dominant best, but copped a knock early in the last quarter. That left it open for Guthrie to take charge with a big four-quarter performance. Umpires’ pet Brayshaw will contend with Max Gawn for a vote or two.
Hawthorn versus North Melbourne
3. Chad Wingard
2. Tom Mitchell
1. Jy Simpkin
In a terrible game with few standouts, Wingard stole the show and took the game away from the Roos (at least until the last quarter). Simpkin was sublime again, and Mitchell finally got back to his ball-winning best.
St Kilda versus Carlton
3. Jack Steele
2. Jack Billings
1. Rowan Marshall
I couldn’t believe my eyes when Billings slotted another set shot, making it six straight for the year. He’ll fight for the three votes with Steele, who was a defensive beast on Patrick Cripps. Nick Coffield had a breakout game, but Marshall was Brodie Grundy-like at the clearances.
Essendon versus Collingwood
3. Dylan Shiel
2. Jake Stringer
1. Brodie Grundy
Shiel was superb and will get maximum votes, but the other votes are up for grabs. I’ve gone for Stringer for his game-breaking goals, while Grundy continues to shine as a pseudo-midfielder. Other contenders are Adam Treloar, Andrew McGrath and Jordan Ridley.
West Coast versus Sydney
3. Elliot Yeo
2. Nic Naitanui
1. Dom Sheed
Sheed was the Eagles’ highest ball-winner, but it was Yeo and Naitanui that turned the game. Yeo looked a man ready to turn his season around, while Aliir Aliir was no match for the best tap ruckman in the competition.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Geelong versus Gold Coast
3. Tom Hawkins
2. Joel Selwood
1. Mitch Duncan
Hawkins was back to his best in a dominant display. Selwood and Gary Ablett both put on a show in their milestone games, but Selwood was more prominent throughout. Sam Menegola is also a good chance for votes.
Brisbane versus Port Adelaide
3. Lachie Neale
2. Jarroyd Lyons
1. Hugh McCluggage
Neale finally hit the target after nine behinds, and is going to be very hard to beat in the Brownlow race. It was the usual suspects for the Lions, with Lyons, McCluggage and Jarrod Berry dominating the midfield. Daniel Rich also provided run off halfback.
Western Bulldogs versus North Melbourne
3. Josh Bruce
2. Jason Johannisen
1. Caleb Daniel
Josh Bruce kicked six in a big win for the Doggies. Beyond him, it’s less clear. Daniel’s footy smarts are out of this world, while Johannisen will have caught the umpires’ eyes. Jack Macrae’s stats were mostly in junk time. Tim English took some great marks, but was soundly beaten by Todd Goldstein in the ruck.
Fremantle versus Adelaide
3. Andrew Brayshaw
2. David Mundy
1. Griffin Logue
This was a breakthrough game for Brayshaw in the absence of Nat Fyfe, and the calm and composed Mundy helped him along. Logue mopped everything up against a hapless Crows forward line. Darcy Tucker is also a chance for votes with two goals from midfield.
Richmond versus Melbourne
3. Kane Lambert
2. Jack Higgins
1. Max Gawn
It was a return to form for Lambert, who was easily best on ground. Higgins is a fantastic story. Dustin Martin and Tom Lynch kicked important goals, but Gawn carried his side once again.
GWS versus Hawthorn
3. Nick Haynes
2. Josh Kelly
1. Jeremy Finlayson
A wave of Giants are contenders for the votes here. Haynes took a host of intercepts, while Kelly, Harry Perryman, Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield all had big midfield numbers. Meanwhile, Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg kicked four each. Kelly gets the nod for two votes thanks to his smooth-moving nature.
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Now that was a quick change of mind!
