Adelaide Crows

It would be a major shock if the Crows feature prominently in the Brownlow Medal race, especially after losing seven of their last nine games. Midfielders Brad and Matt Crouch, along with co-captain Rory Sloane, will compete for votes. The Crows are expected to poll only 51 votes according to the AFL.com.au Brownlow predictor. 

Best chance: Brad Crouch
The injury-plagued midfielder enjoyed a consistent season, playing every game and averaging 30.3 disposals. He's expected to poll 12 votes, with seven of those coming in a three-game stretch between rounds 11-13. It would be the most votes he's polled in a season since collecting six votes in 2013. 

Three-vote certainty: Brad Crouch (v Richmond, round 13)
Crouch was influential against an under-manned Tigers, collecting 43 disposals, 11 clearances and six inside 50s in a 33-point victory at Adelaide Oval.

One-vote wonder: Taylor Walker
The Crows co-captain could pick up a vote for his four-goal haul in a 29-point win against St Kilda in round six.

2018 leading vote winner: Rory Laird (19 votes)

Previous winners: Mark Ricciuto (2003) 

Ineligible players: None - Lee Gaskin

Brisbane Lions

With a 16-win season, it promises to be the most exciting count for Lions fans in over a decade. Lachie Neale starts quickly and should have his name high on the leaderboard for much of the evening, but he won't be the only player polling well. The nine-game winning streak is punctuated by starring performances from Dayne Zorko, Jarryd Lyons and Charlie Cameron – meaning they might rob each other, and Neale, of crucial votes. 

Best chance: Lachie Neale
Started the season with a bang, amassing 40 disposals in three of his first four games, which should have him among the leaders early. Neale is a proven vote-getter, finishing seventh in 2016, and our predictor has him equal fourth on 24 votes. The crucial stretch comes from rounds 14-19, where he is predicted to poll in five of those six Brisbane wins, but only once as best on ground.

Three-vote certainty: Charlie Cameron (v Gold Coast, round 21)
The Virgin Australia AFL All Australian small forward had a night out against the hapless Suns, kicking six scintillating goals in a heavy Brisbane win. Cameron put on a show, snapping goals off both feet, taking marks on the lead and crumbing marking contests in a near complete performance. 

One-vote wonder: Lewy Taylor
In arguably his best game for the club, Taylor shone with 28 disposals and a goal against Hawthorn in a round 11 victory. Harris Andrews and Jarryd Lyons were adjudged better on the night, but Taylor deserves a nod for his performance.

2018 leading vote winner: Dayne Beams (18 votes)

Previous winners: Haydn Bunton (1931, 1932, 1935), Wilfred Smallhorn (1933), Denis Ryan (1936), Allan Ruthven (1950), Kevin Murray (1969), Bernie Quinlan (1981), Michael Voss (1996), Simon Black (2002), Jason Akermanis (2001)

Ineligible players: Harris Andrews, Rhys Mathieson. - Michael Whiting

Carlton

Carlton's night will be all about Patrick Cripps. The club's best Brownlow chance since Chris Judd, the Blues' co-captain has enjoyed a fantastic year and enhanced his reputation as one of the game's best clearance and contested players. He shouldn't have too many players taking votes away from him, though Marc Murphy and Ed Curnow finished strongly.

Best chance: Patrick Cripps
He had a stellar start to the year and is tipped to poll in the first five games, according to AFL.com.au's Brownlow Predictor. However, having missed two matches after the club's bye due to a foot injury, he might have a bit of ground to make up late. He's expected to poll around 26 votes, putting him in contention alongside Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe. 

Three-vote certainty: Patrick Cripps (v Brisbane, round 12)
Pencil him in for three votes for this clash, which saw the Blues fight from 37 points down to beat the Lions. Cripps was phenomenal, winning 38 disposals – including 16 contested possessions – as well as racking up eight clearances and kicking four second-half goals. 

One-vote wonder: Jack Silvagni
A strong second-half of the year could result in a Brownlow vote for Silvagni following the club's narrow loss to Melbourne in round 16. He started in the midfield, winning 18 disposals and claiming 10 marks, before pushing forward late to also kick three goals.

2018 leading vote winner: Patrick Cripps (20 votes) 

Previous winners: Bert Deacon (1947), John James (1961), Gordon Collis (1964), Greg Williams (1994), Chris Judd (2010) 

Ineligible players: Will Setterfield - Riley Beveridge

Collingwood

The Pies aren't expected to attract as many votes as last year but they still boast three top-10 chances – star ruckman Brodie Grundy, captain Scott Pendlebury and the AFL's most prolific ball-winner Adam Treloar – with Grundy a contender to become the club's first medallist in eight years after another superb season.

Best chance: Brodie Grundy
The unique ruckman-cum-midfielder last year received 17 votes to finish equal-10th, and he has been more influential this year so it wouldn't surprise if he won with around 25 votes. Our predictor has Grundy finishing equal-seventh with 23 votes and polling consistently from round four. Pendlebury will likely grab his usual 15-20 votes while Treloar will likely get 12-15.

Three-vote certainty: Brodie Grundy (v Essendon, round 23)
At times the mobile big man didn't even need teammates at stoppages because he did it all himself, finishing with an equal career-high 33 possessions (21 contested), seven clearances and 35 hitouts.

One-vote wonder: Jaidyn Stephenson
Our tracker has the dangerous speedster receiving recognition from the umpires just once, in his last game before receiving a 10-game gambling suspension, when he kicked three goals and gave away two others in a brilliant forward display in the Queen's Birthday win over Melbourne.

2018 leading vote winner: Steele Sidebottom (24 votes)

Previous winners: Syd Coventry (1927), Albert Collier (1929), Harry Collier (1930), Marcus Whelan (1939), Des Fothergill (1940), Len Thompson (1972), Peter Moore (1979), Nathan Buckley (2003), Dane Swan (2011)

Ineligible players: Travis Varcoe – Ben Collins

Essendon

Essendon is unlikely to add to its history of Brownlow Medal winners this year. Its poor start to the season won't help some of its best contenders, and although it finished the year well to scrape into eighth position after the home and away season, it would be a shock if the Brownlow was donned in red and black in 2019.  

Best chance: Zach Merrett
Merrett is a proven ball-getter and vote-getter. Considered unlucky not to make the Virgin Australia All Australian squad, the prolific midfielder averaged 28.5 disposals and played every game this season. Had a standout 31-disposal and two-goal game against Adelaide in round 18, and has averaged nearly 15 votes the past three seasons.

Three-vote certainty: Jake Stringer (v Gold Coast, round 19)
Stringer was critical in a close win over the Suns, booting 4.2 from 15 disposals and being the difference between the sides. He also went into the midfield and gathered six clearances in a dominant display.

One-vote wonder: Joe Daniher

Missing all bar four games through injury means Daniher won't poll very much on Brownlow Medal night. But he could attract a vote for his four-goal effort against Collingwood in a memorable Anzac Day clash. 

2018 leading vote winner: Dyson Heppell (13 votes)

Previous winners: Dick Reynolds (1934, 1937, 1938), Bill Hutchison (1952, 1953), Graham Moss (1976), Gavin Wanganeen (1993), James Hird (1996)

Ineligible players: Nil – Callum Twomey

Fremantle

Nat Fyfe could join illustrious company as the 15th multiple Brownlow winner. The skipper is a proven vote-getter, although it's debatable whether the Dockers won enough games for him to clinch the medal. Michael Walters should also get the umpires' attention, especially during his mid-season purple patch, but few others apart from Bradley Hill will poll strongly.

Best chance: Nat Fyfe
Fyfe could be leading the count after 10 rounds and is tipped to poll in every game between rounds five to nine, with possible maximum votes against the Giants, Tigers and Bombers. It looks unlikely Fyfe will poll in the last two rounds of the season and that might cost him. AFL.com.au's predictor expects Fyfe to finish third with 25 votes from 11 games.

Three-vote certainty: Michael Walters (v Port Adelaide, round 13)
It was one of the individual performances of the season as Walters, in the form of his life, tore the Power apart with an equal career-high six goals from 25 disposals at Optus Stadium.

One-vote wonder: Jesse Hogan
After a slow and controversial start to his career at Freo the boom recruit burst to life against the Giants in round five, taking 14 marks and drilling three goals.

2018 leading vote winner: Nat Fyfe (16 votes)

Previous winners: Nat Fyfe (2015)

Ineligible players: Taylin Duman. - Travis King

Geelong Cats

The Cats have two live chances in this year's count in Patrick Dangerfield and Tim Kelly, winding back the clock to the days of the Jimmy Bartel-Gary Ablett tandem. Dangerfield is on track for eight best-on-ground performances and Kelly four. Incredibly, they could share 15 votes in the first three matches.

Best chance: Patrick Dangerfield
Came home like a steam train with three best-on-ground games to finish the season taking him to 28 votes in the AFL.com.au Brownlow Predictor. As long as Tim Kelly (predicted 24 votes) doesn't steal more than a handful of votes in the opening month and Dangerfield can stay in touch with Patrick Cripps, Nat Fyfe and Lachie Neale at the halfway mark, the 2016 winner will be hard to stop late. 

Three-vote certainty: Tom Hawkins (v Sydney, round 19)
Celebrating his 250th game, Hawkins kicked five goals from four contested marks and 17 disposals to be the most dominant player on the ground.

One-vote wonder: Gryan Miers
Kicked three goals in a low-scoring affair against North Melbourne in round 21, adding 17 disposals and five inside 50s. His three-goal, 21-disposal outing against Richmond in round 12 could also catch the eye.

2018 leading vote winner: Patrick Dangerfield (17 votes)

Previous winners: Edward 'Carji' Greeves (1924), Bernie Smith (1951), Alistair Lord (1962), Paul Couch (1989), Jimmy Bartel (2007), Gary Ablett (2009), Patrick Dangerfield (2016)

Ineligible players: Gary Ablett – Mitch Cleary

Gold Coast Suns

With just three wins for the season, it's going to be a quiet Brownlow night for the Suns. Our predictor has them getting a total of just 24 votes spread between 10 different players. Remarkably, Gary Ablett still accounts for almost 50 percent of total votes in club history, amassing 122 votes in his seven seasons. The club has 260 in total.

Best chance: David Swallow
We've predicted three players – Swallow, Jack Martin and Brayden Fiorini – to poll four votes apiece, but the co-captain is the best chance of scoring more. He's not a big favourite among the umpires with just 11 career votes, but Swallow was exceptional in the Suns' first month and has been slated for three votes in a heartbreaking round eight loss to Melbourne. 

Three-vote certainty: Jarrod Harbrow (v Fremantle, round two)
Harbrow was the driving force in this come-from-behind victory. The running defender finished with 32 disposals and nine marks and his eye-catching ability to run-and-carry turned the momentum when the Suns trailed by 17 early in the final term. 

One-vote wonder: Sam Collins
Collins was exceptional early in the year and his round three outing against the Western Bulldogs might just snare the former Fremantle defender a vote. Against an avalanche of inside 50s, Collins stood tall, taking four contested marks and helping the Suns to an unlikely win.

2018 leading vote winner: Brayden Fiorini and Tom Lynch (five votes)

Previous winners: Gary Ablett (2013)

Ineligible players: Anthony Miles - Michael Whiting

GWS Giants

The Giants should have a few players picking up double-figure votes, but injuries will rule out any chance of the club's first Brownlow winner. Stephen Coniglio (15 games), Lachie Whitfield (16) and Josh Kelly (14) all played some exceptional footy but missed too many games to challenge. Tim Taranto could be a surprise big vote-getter.

Best chance: Stephen Coniglio
The star midfielder would have been a favourite for the award if he hadn't gone down with a serious knee injury against Richmond in round 17. Coniglio averaged 26.6 possessions per game and kicked 15 goals and will poll heavily in the early rounds. Our predictor has him down to gather 16 votes.

Three-vote certainty: Jeremy Cameron (v Richmond, round three)
The Coleman medal winner racked up massive numbers against the Tigers when GWS won by 49 points at Giants Stadium. Cameron kicked 7.5 from 30 disposals and ran riot with Alex Rance missing with a knee injury. 

One-vote wonder: Jeremy Finlayson
He's been a surprise packet this season and Finlayson's move forward has been a masterstroke. His five goals in the Giants' 93-point thumping of Carlton in round nine should get him on the board.

2018 leading vote winner: Lachie Whitfield (16 votes)

Previous winners: Nil

Ineligible players: Nil – Adam Curley

Hawthorn

There hasn't been a major standout at the Hawks, with the likes of James Worpel, Jaeger O'Meara, Ricky Henderson, James Sicily and Liam Shiels all set to pinch votes off one another. AFL.com.au's Brownlow Predictor has Worpel receiving the most votes with 13, down to Shiels and Henderson with seven apiece.

Best chance: James Worpel
It's a midfielder's award, and Worpel's best patch of form coincided with Hawthorn winning six of its last eight matches. The umpires will struggle to miss his pack-busting style. Worpel does his best work in the clinches and averaged 26.5 disposals in his second season, to go with 6.3 clearances and 4.4 inside 50s.

Three-vote certainty: Jaeger O'Meara (v Carlton, round six)
O'Meara amassed a career-best 42 disposals (23 contested) – 14 more than anyone else on the field – to lead the Hawks to a come-from-behind victory over the Blues. He added 10 score involvements and nine clearances.

One-vote wonder: Jarman Impey
Impey enjoyed an excellent season but votes are hard to come by as a defender. The 24-year-old's best shot may be in round 16 against Collingwood, when he gathered a season-high 25 disposals.

2018 leading vote winner: Tom Mitchell (28 votes)

Previous winners: Col Austen (1949), Robert DiPierdomenico (1986), John Platten (1987), Shane Crawford (1999), Sam Mitchell (2012), Tom Mitchell (2018)

Ineligible players: James Cousins, Ben Stratton – Marc McGowan

Melbourne

In 2018, Angus Brayshaw was an unlikely bolter and finished third in the Brownlow despite not being invited to the event. There won't be many vote-getters from the Dees this time, though, after they finished second bottom in an abysmal campaign. It went somewhat under the radar amid his side's struggles, but onballer Clayton Oliver was very good again is tipped to poll 12 votes.

Best chance: Max Gawn
After being awarded 20 votes last year, the triple All Australian is tipped by Brownlow Predictor to increase that tally to 23. The fact that three of the four times he was adjudged BOG in losses indicates how phenomenal he was.

Three-vote certainty: Max Gawn (v North Melbourne, round 23)
The brilliant big man monstered his Kangaroos counterpart Todd Goldstein in the final round, racking up 26 disposals, 41 hitouts, 10 clearances and three goals in a phenomenal display as the Demons lost by five points.

One-vote wonder: Nathan Jones
Expect the recently re-signed co-captain to nab a vote for his part in Melbourne recording its first win of the season, in round four, booting three goals off a wing in a fine display.

2018 leading vote winner: Angus Brayshaw (21 votes)

Previous winners: Ivor Warne-Smith (1926, 1928), Don Cordner (1946), Brian Wilson (1982), Peter Moore (1984), Jim Stynes (1991), Shane Woewodin (2000)

Ineligible players: Nil - Dinny Navaratnam

North Melbourne

Ben Cunnington (16 votes), Shaun Higgins (13), Ben Brown (11) and Jack Ziebell (10) are all projected to poll well, according to AFL.com.au's Brownlow Medal predictor. A Roo scored three votes 11 times on the predictor. Of interest will be who receives maximum votes between Todd Goldstein and Brown in round 22, when they were the clear standouts.

Best chance: Ben Cunnington
The tough onballer has racked up double-digit Brownlow Medal votes three times – 13 in 2014, 11 in 2017 and 11 again last year – and his 2019 season was his best yet, so expect plenty more. Cunnington's best patch comes from rounds six to 15, when he averaged almost 29 disposals, 17 contested possessions and nine clearances.

Three-vote certainty: Jy Simpkin (v St Kilda, round 16)

Simpkin won a career-most 36 disposals (21 contested), to go with nine clearances, six inside 50s and a goal to be North's best player amid his mid-season purple patch of form.

One-vote wonder: Trent Dumont
Dumont received one Brownlow Medal vote last year, and might double his tally thanks to his 38 possessions and five tackles in the Kangaroos' 58-point win over Carlton in round seven. 

2018 leading vote winner: Shaun Higgins (15 votes)

Previous winners: Noel Teasdale (1965), Keith Greig (1973, 1974), Malcom Blight (1978), Ross Glendinning (1983)

Ineligible players: Tom Campbell, Sam Durdin, Luke McDonald - Marc McGowan

Port Adelaide

It'd be unlikely a Power player wins the club's first Brownlow Medal since entering the AFL in 1997. According to the AFL.com.au Brownlow predictor, the Power are expected to poll 73 votes, with 13, three-vote games. Former skipper Travis Boak is tipped to have three of those.

Best chance: Travis Boak
The former skipper had a strong first half of the season, and according to the AFL.com.au Brownlow predictor, should poll 12 of his 17 votes by round 11. Could go close to his career-best effort in a Brownlow Medal when he finished tied for fifth in 2014 with 21 votes.

Three-vote certainty: Robbie Gray (v Adelaide, round 16)
The Power champion turned in a brilliant performance to claim his fifth Showdown medal, racking up 35 disposals in a big victory over cross-town rivals Adelaide.

One-vote wonder: Connor Rozee
The first-year sensation had an impressive rookie campaign and should catch the attention of the umpires in round 20 against the Bombers (two goals, 22 touches).

2018 leading vote winner: Ollie Wines (14 votes) 

Previous winners: None

Ineligible players: Karl Amon, Dougal Howard - Lee Gaskin

Richmond

Dustin Martin is expected to poll extremely well in the back half of the season, but an ill-advised elbow in round three resulted in a one-match suspension, ruling him out of contention. Other than Martin, the Tigers will share the votes around, with an inconsistent injury-hit line-up meaning players starred at different times.

Best chance: Dion Prestia
With superstar Martin ineligible, Prestia is Richmond's best hope. Saying that, the midfielder is expected to poll only eight votes, spread fairly evenly throughout his 22-game season. A three-vote game could come in round 21 against Carlton. Bachar Houli is also a chance to top the Tiger eligible-player count, tipped to poll eight.

Three-vote certainty: Bachar Houli (v Essendon, round 10)
Houli's class shone through in atrocious conditions in the Dreamtime match. Finished with 37 disposals (including 28 kicks) and 10 rebound 50s, and he stood firm against both the rain and waves of Bomber attacks.

One-vote wonder: Dylan Grimes
Probably deserving of more than one, but defenders traditionally don't poll well. Grimes had an outstanding season, and should be in line for his first Brownlow vote for his R4 performance against Port where he had 17 disposals, took seven marks (including a game-high five contested), and had six rebound 50s.

2018 leading vote winner: Dustin Martin (19 votes)

Previous winners: Stan Judkins (1930), Bill Morris (1948), Roy Wright (1952, 1954), Ian Stewart (1971), Trent Cotchin (2012), Dustin Martin (2017)

Ineligible players: Dylan Grimes, Dustin Martin, Ivan Soldo – Sarah Black

St Kilda

With so much of St Kilda's top-line talent missing large chunks of the season, including Jack Steven and Dan Hannebery, Seb Ross, Jack Billings, Rowan Marshall and Jade Gresham are likely to have caught the umpires' fancy. When the club played well, it was mostly through even team performances, so it's unlikely there will be any Saints standouts come Brownlow night. 

Best chance: Seb Ross
The most prolific Saint this year, in terms of disposals accumulated, the man who stood in as skipper for the injured Jarryn Geary averaged 26 disposals per game and is expected to poll 10 votes in the Brownlow predictor. Three of those are expected to be from best-on-ground performances, and he's tipped to poll no votes between rounds five and 18. His tally of 14 in 2017 was a career-high. 

Three-vote certainty: Jack Billings (v Gold Coast, round 13)
It would be puzzling if the gun wingman wasn't considered best-afield by the umpires after St Kilda fought back from a 31-point deficit, with Billings notching up 33 disposals and slotting two goals when the game was up for grabs in the final term to lead his side home by four points. 

One-vote wonder: Jack Lonie
It's tough for small forwards to catch the umpires' attention but the terrier was excellent, especially early, against the Western Bulldogs in round 18, finishing with four goals in Brett Ratten's first game as the club's caretaker coach.

2018 leading vote winner: Jack Steven (18 votes) 

Previous winners: Colin Watson (1925), Brian Gleeson (1957), Neil Roberts (1958), Verdun Howell (1959), Ian Stewart (1965-66), Ross G Smith (1967), Tony Lockett (1987), Robert Harvey (1997,1998)

Ineligible players: Nil - Dinny Navaratnam

Sydney Swans

After an eight-win season the Swans won't be heading to the count with high expectations. Gun midfielders Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker will likely lead the charge, with stars like Dane Rampe and Jake Lloyd up against it as defenders. Just 10 games for Lance Franklin means the superstar might have his second-worst year since he polled just one vote in his debut season of 2005.

Best chance: Luke Parker
Despite the team's poor season, the co-captain was ultra-consistent in the midfield, averaging 25.4 touches in 22 games, and kicking 13 goals. He led the Swans in clearances and contested possessions and does his best work around stoppages under the nose of the umpires.

Three-vote certainty: Tom Papley (v West Coast, round 12)
The exciting small forward torched the premiers on a sunny Sunday at the SCG as the Swans caused a massive upset. Papley kicked five goals from his 27 disposals in a brilliant individual performance.

One-vote wonder: Jake Lloyd
He continued his amazing ball-winning ability in 2019 and Lloyd's 42 touches in a one-point loss to Fremantle in round 18 might be enough to snag a vote or two.

2018 leading vote winner: Lance Franklin (16 votes)

Previous winners: J. Herbie Matthews (1940), Ron Clegg (1949), Fred Goldsmith (1955), Bob Skilton (1959, 1963, 1968), Peter Bedford (1970), Graham Teasedale (1977), Barry Round (1981), Greg Williams (1986), Gerard Healy (1988), Paul Kelly (1995), Adam Goodes (2003, 2006)

Ineligible players: Jordan Dawson – Adam Curley

West Coast Eagles

Expect the votes to be shared around at the Eagles, with midfield stars Elliot Yeo, Luke Shuey and Dom Sheed expected to lead the way. Andrew Gaff has a history of polling well and it will be intriguing to see how umpires rated the prolific wingman's season.   

Best chance: Elliot Yeo
Yeo built into 2019 coming off pre-season toe surgery and when the sputtering Eagles needed a spark it was the dual reigning club champion who lifted. Yeo should poll between rounds seven to nine, and will really charge home from rounds 19-22. AFL.com.au expects he will receive 18 votes and finish equal 11th overall.

Three-vote certainty: Luke Shuey (v Hawthorn, round 15)
It was Nic Naitanui's comeback game and nobody was happier than Shuey, who thrived in the wet at the MCG. He ended with 39 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 11 inside 50s, nine tackles and a goal – a similar stat line to his Norm Smith Medal performance.

One-vote wonder: Jack Petruccelle
On a dirty night against Port Adelaide in round five, speedster Petruccelle was the sole shining light. He booted a career-high five goals to earn a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

2018 leading vote winner: Andrew Gaff (16 votes)

Previous winners: Chris Judd (2004), Ben Cousins (2005), Matt Priddis (2014)

Ineligible players: Lewis Jetta, Jeremy McGovern, Willie Rioli, Nathan Vardy - Travis King

Western Bulldogs

The 'big three' of Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley are expected to poll 59 votes of the 77 total Bulldogs votes between them as per the Brownlow Predictor. Any of those three players could be a chance to win the Brownlow, but Bontempelli seems the most likely after having a strong polling history, dating back to 2016 where he polled 20 votes in just his third season. 

Best chance: Marcus Bontempelli
Bontempelli is expected to poll 22 votes via the Brownlow Predictor, with strong voting patches expected to come at the start and end of the season. Those one and two-vote games could have easily been three votes if Bontempelli had nailed his shots on goal. Dunkley and Macrae might steal too many votes. 

Three-vote certainty: Josh Dunkley (v Melbourne, round 17)
39 disposals, 15 tackles, nine clearances and two goals, plus a win over the Demons. It might have been one of the best games any player has pulled out in 2019.

One-vote wonder: Josh Schache

It'll be hard for Josh Schache to steal a few votes, but he's a strong chance after 15 disposals and four goals in the win over Hawthorn in round two. 

2018 leading vote winner: Jack Macrae (14 votes)

Previous winners: Allan Hopkins (1930), Norman Ware (1941), Peter Box (1956), John Schultz (1960), Gary Dempsey (1975), Kelvin Templeton (1980), Brad Hardie (1985), Tony Liberatore (1990), Scott Wynd (1992), Adam Cooney (2008)

Ineligible players: None - Jourdan Canil