With Grand Final teams now locked in, it’s time to turn our attention to the AFL’s night of nights.
This year’s count is set to be a thriller. After the past two seasons produced ‘surprise’ winners, in Patrick Cripps and Lachie Neale, the 2024 Brownlow Medallist is almost anyone’s guess.
Most experts have it down to a four-horse race, but a few roughies could genuinely cause upsets.
Let’s take a look at some of the potential winners and make a few predictions:
Brownlow Favourites
Patrick Cripps – Carlton
The Carlton skipper went into Brownlow night in 2022 as a ‘contender’, rather than a favourite. He won the medal despite Touk Miller, Andrew Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver all being tipped to be more likely.
This time around, he’s probably an equal favourite to take home Charlie. He’s had a better season than he did in 2022, and led the AFL in contested possessions.
Cripps was a consistent performer, especially in losses, although the defeats may mean he misses out on crucial votes. Sam Walsh and Tom De Koning may steal some off him too for their big performances throughout the year.
The captain had 30 or more disposals 10 times this season and will be in the mix all the way.
This could be his second gong in three years.
Nick Daicos — Collingwood
Most think it’s going to be between Cripps and Daicos on Monday night. Some have even tipped a tie.
It wouldn’t be out of the question, based on how well the son of a gun has played once again this year. He finished third in the medal tally last time around but is averaging one less possession per game this season. Although, there is a case to make about his influence being more impactful in 2024.
Daicos won the Coaches Award a few weeks back, so if the umpires share similar views, he should win the thing. He may not have as much competition for votes as other contenders, but the amount of losses Collingwood had this season may hurt his chances.
The count will likely go down to the wire, but Daicos will surely be right there until the end regardless.
Laachie Neale — Brisbane
Could we see a three-time Brownlow Medalist crowned on Monday night? More than a few people believe so.
If he pulls it off, he’ll be the first player to do so since Ian Stewart in 1971. Neale was a surprise winner last year, after finishing top in the count in 2020.
The Brisbane midfielder had a slow start to the 2024 season, just like his team, but came home strong.
Neale had incredible games in the second half of the campaign, but strong performances from teammates, such as Eric Hipwood’s six goals in Round 13 for example, could mean he misses out on some votes.
After pulling off two Brownlow wins over the past few years, you just can’t count him out especially when he gets the ball as much as he does.
Marcus Bontempelli — Western Bulldogs
A win for the Bont would be a feel-good story for most.
He’s an exceptional leader, a consistent performer and a great bloke. Unfortunately for him, that doesn’t always mean he gets enough votes. Bontempelli has twice been runner-up and finished eighth on three other occasions.
Could this finally be the year? Probably not. And teammate Adam Treloar could probably be likely to blame.
Treloar, along with Bontempelli, was named in the All-Australian team for a tremendous season. He averaged the most possessions in the league and played well in almost every game the Bont did too.
Sadly, he may once again come close but fall short.
Issac Heeney — Syndey
Heeney was suspended during the season, so he can’t win the medal, but his top performances throughout the year could see him near the top of the tally.
Heeney’s start to the season was epic, so he’s likely to lead through parts of the night, but he’ll probably fade late.
The star Swan averaged 25.6 disposals, 5.9 clearances and 1.4 goals per game in a career-best season.
If he doesn’t get near the top, you can bet he’ll still win Sydney’s team tally.
Brownlow Roughies
Errol Gulden — Sydney
Heeney will take votes from him, but his strong numbers will mean he’ll finish among the best.
Caleb Serong — Fremantle
Had a brilliant season which saw him named in the All-Australia team and win the club best and fairest. There are about 12 games where Serong should poll a vote, but teammate Andrew Brawyshaw will steal a few.
Jason Horne-Francis — Port Adelaide
Champion Data has him finishing third, in their predictions. He did have a good year averaging 20 disposals and a goal, but Port had a lot of decent midfielders this season who will likely poll votes.
Who Will Win The Brownlow
Our tip to win the Browlow Medal for 2024 is Patrick Cripps — There are only about seven games where Cripps wouldn’t be likely to poll at least a vote, and his big plays in crucial moments should get him over the line with the umpires. Going to be tight, but predicting Crippa to win his second Brownlow Medal.
Leading Vote-getters For Each Club
Adelaide: Jordan Dawson
Brisbane: Lachie Neale
Carlton: Patrick Cripps
Collingwood: Nick Daicos
Essendon: Zach Merrett
Fremantle: Caleb Serong
GWS: Tom Green
Geelong: Jeremy Cameron
Gold Coast: Noah Anderson
Hawthorn: Jai Newcombe
Melbourne: Max Gawn
North Melbourne: Luke Davies-Uniacke
Port Adelaide: Jason Horne-Francis
Richmond: Tim Taranto
St Kilda: Rowan Marshall
Sydney: Isaac Heeney
West Coast: Elliot Yeo
Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli
How To Watch The 2024 Brownlow Medal In Perth
The 2024 Brownlow Medal will be broadcast live and free in Australia on Channel 7 and 7mate and live-streamed on 7Plus from 5.30 pm AWST with the Brownlow Medal count to start at 6:00 pm AWST.
Key Perth Times
5:30 pm — Red Carpet broadcast commences
6:00 pm — Brownlow Medal count broadcast begins
6:40 pm — NAB AFL Goal of the Year and Virgin Australia AFL Mark of the Year winners announced
7:05 pm — Jim Stynes Community Award winner announced
8:30 pm — Brownlow Medal winner announced
Follow the Brownload Medal count tracker via afl.com.au/brownlow-medal/live-tracker.
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