Brownlow Medal 2015: Who will top your club’s voting?

THEY might not get the medal but the battle is on for Brownlow bragging rights at every club. Who will the umpires favour at your club?

Richmond v Collingwood Dane Swan goal 3rd term Picture:Wayne Ludbey

THEY might not get the medal but the battle is on for Brownlow bragging rights at every club.

Can Dane Swan return to his Brownlow best and topple skipper Scott Pendlebury? Will Dustin Martin or Brett Deledio edge out Trent Cotchin? And good luck picking the top Bulldog vote-getter in 2015.

Scroll down for our massive club by club preview including Herald Sun Player of the Year votes, Coaches Association votes and insight from Champion Data — plus the latest betting odds.

INTERACTIVE BROWNLOW MEDAL PREDICTOR

ADELAIDE

Sixty-six votes over the past three seasons shows why Patrick Dangerfield has to rate a massive chance to bring home Adelaide’s second Brownlow. Sure, he’s off to Geelong, but his last official act as a Crows’ player might come with a medal around his neck.

Scott Thompson, Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane and Eddie Betts might pinch a few sneaky ones off him, but not enough to stop him from being one of Nat Fyfe’s biggest dangers.

Herald Sun votes: Patrick Dangerfield 15, Sam Jacobs 10, Taylor Walker 9, Scott Thompson 8, Rory Sloane 7, Rory Laird 5, Brodie Smith 5.

Champion Data votes: Dangerfield 21, Thompson 13, Sloane 9, Walker 5, Jacobs 5, Eddie Betts 4.

Coaches’ Association votes: Dangerfield 15, Sloane 9, Walker 9, Betts 8, Thompson 7, Jacobs 6, Josh Jenkins 6, Smith 5, David Mackay 3.

TAB club odds (without Dangerfield): $1.40 Thompson, $5.50 Jacobs, Sloane, $13 Betts, Walker.

Past winners: Mark Ricciuto (2003)

BROWNLOW TRACKER: EVERY GAME, EVERY VOTE LIVE

BRISBANE LIONS

The Lions or the Blues? It’s going to be a toss-up which team polls the fewest votes.

Former Magpie Dayne Beams managed only 16 games (for two wins), but did enough to ensure he looks a lock for the most votes for Brisbane. He did poll 16 votes last year and 19 in 2012.

Stefan Martin had a solid year in what was a miserable season, while Tom Rockliff finished the season with five consecutive 30-plus games.

Herald Sun votes: Dayne Beams 9, Stefan Martin 7, Mitch Robinson 4, Lewis Taylor 1.

Champion Data votes: Tom Rockliff 6, Dayne Zorko 5, Beams 5, Martin 5, Robinson 5, Daniel Rich 3, Pearce Hanley 3, Lewis Taylor 2.

Coaches’ Association votes: Beams 10, Martin 9, Rockliff 5, Rich 3, Robinson 3, Zorko 3.

TAB club odds: $1.25 Beams, $4 Martin, $9 Rockliff, $26 players not quoted, $34 Rich, Robinson.

Past winners: Michael Voss (1996), Jason Akermanis (2001), Simon Black (2002)

Patrick Cripps was a shining light in a dark season for the Blues. Picture: Alex Coppel

CARLTON

Not much to see here, other than questions of whether Chris Judd can get his last Brownlow Medal vote (from one of his eight games) and when will Patrick Cripps score his first career vote?

Marc Murphy and Cripps are likely to be the two Blues capable of getting more than a handful of votes, with the Blues skipper finishing with 10-plus votes on five occasions over the past seven seasons. But future Brownlow speculators will be intrigued to see how Cripps goes after his best-and-fairest breakout season.

Herald Sun votes: Marc Murphy 7, Zach Tuohy 5, Matthew Kreuzer 2, Andrew Walker 1.

Champion Data votes: Patrick Cripps 7, Murphy 7, Tom Bell 4, Kreuzer 2.

Coaches’ Association votes: Cripps 11, Murphy 9, Bell 6, Tuohy 3, Kreuzer 2.

TAB club odds: $1.35 Murphy, $3.05 Cripps, $11 Bell, $26 players not quoted, $101 Kreuzer, Tuohy.

Past winners: Bert Deacon (1947), John James (1961), Gordon Collis (1964), Greg Williams (1995), Chris Judd (2010).

COLLINGWOOD

2011 Brownlow Medal winner Dane Swan is fifth overall in terms of most votes received from current players, while teammate Scott Pendlebury is set to join him in the top 10 this season. Both players had strong seasons, and can expect to poll well again.

But Collingwood’s 10 wins this year will not be enough to see either of them push into a winning category. Lock in Taylor Adams for his first career votes.

Herald Sun votes: Dane Swan 15, Scott Pendlebury 15, Jack Crisp 4, Travis Cloke 4, Taylor Adams 4, Paul Seedsman 3, Jamie Elliott 3.

Champion Data votes: Pendlebury 16, Swan 12, Adams 8, Crisp 4, Steele Sidebottom 4, Adam Oxley 3, Elliott 3, Cloke 3

Coaches’ Association votes: Pendlebury 14, Swan 10, Adams 8, Sidebottom 7, Elliott 4, Cloke 3, Brodie Grundy 3, Oxley 3, Seedsman 3, Marley Williams 3.

TAB club odds: $1.17 Pendlebury, $4.50 Swan, $13 Adams, $34 Sidebottom, $51 players not quoted, $101 Oxley.

Past 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)

Dyson Heppell has taken the baton from Jobe Watson as the Bombers’ Brownlow specialist. Picture: Michael Klein

ESSENDON

The Bombers endured a year from hell, but Dyson Heppell is favoured to receive the most Brownlow Medal votes for a second year running. Given the fact Essendon won only six games, it is hard to see Heppell beating his 14 votes from last year.

Michael Hurley (All-Australian) and Cale Hooker (best-and-fairest) loom as Heppell’s main dangers for the club’s highest votes.

Herald Sun votes: Michael Hurley 7, Dyson Heppell 7, Jobe Watson 6, Joe Daniher 6, Cale Hooker 5, Heath Hocking 3.

Champion Data votes: Heppell 9, Watson 6, Brent Stanton 5, Brendon Goddard 4, Hurley 3, Shaun McKernan 3, Daniher 3.

Coaches’ Association votes: Hooker 10, Hurley 7, Daniher 6, McKernan 5, Heppell 3, Watson 3.

TAB club odds: $1.75 Heppell, $5 Hurley, $7 Stanton, $9 Daniher, Hooker.

Past winners: Dick Reynolds (1934, 37, 38), Bill Hutchison (1952, 53), Graham Moss (1976), Gavin Wanganeen (1993), James Hird (1996), Jobe Watson (2012)

FREMANTLE

Has the boy from Lake Grace done enough to hold on? Nat Fyfe has been outright Brownlow favourite since the end of Round 2 and was as short as $1.40 after Round 15, but it will depend on how far he is in front before missing games late in the season.

Fyfe missed out by one vote last year (mind you, he was ineligible). This year he had nine games of 30-plus possessions in the first 13 rounds. David Mundy and Lachie Neale might pinch a few votes off him.

Herald Sun votes: Nat Fyfe 30, David Mundy 21, Stephen Hill 10, Lachie Neale 10, Aaron Sandilands 6, Matthew Pavlich 5, Michael Walters 5, Michael Barlow 4.

Champion Data votes: Fyfe 25, Mundy 16, Neale 13, Hill 9, Sandilands 8, Barlow 6, Pavlich 3.

Coaches’ Association votes: Fyfe 28, Mundy 21, Hill 9, Neale 6, Danyle Pearce 6, Sandilands 6, Walters 4, Luke McPharlin 3, Barlow 2, Chris Mayne 2, Pavlich 2.

TAB club odds (without Fyfe): $1.20 Mundy, $4.25 Neale, $26 Hill, $51 Barlow, Sandilands.

Past winners: Nil

Joel Selwood led from the front again in 2015. Picture: Michael Klein

GEELONG

It wasn’t quite a vintage Joel Selwood season, but he has surely done enough to lock in a fifth straight most Brownlow votes for his club. No one has got close to him at the Cattery since Gazza left.

Steven Motlop will take a few off him after some strong performances in the second half of the season and Josh Caddy will be rewarded for his best year.

Herald Sun votes: Joel Selwood 11, Steven Motlop 8, Josh Caddy 7, Harry Taylor 5, Mark Blicavs 5, Cameron Guthrie 5, Mitch Duncan 4.

Champion Data votes: Selwood 15, Caddy 7, Motlop 5, Duncan 5, Guthrie 4, Taylor 4.

Coaches’ Association votes: Motlop 9, Duncan 8, Selwood 8, Corey Enright 7, Guthrie 7, Blicavs 5, Taylor 5, Caddy 4, Andrew Mackie 3, Jordan Murdoch 3.

TAB club odds: $1.22 Selwood, $4.50 Motlop, $11 Caddy, $15 players not quoted, $26 Duncan.

Past winners: ‘Carji’ Greeves (1924), Bernie Smith (1951), Alistair Lord (1962), Paul Couch (1989), Jimmy Bartel (2007), Gary Ablett (2009)

GOLD COAST

For anyone who used to have a skol when Gary Ablett polls on Brownlow Medal, it might be a thirsty evening. After eight consecutive years of 20 or more votes, Ablett won’t be the focus on Brownlow Medal night.

He only managed six matches, but still should get on the board with some votes in the Round 14 win over North Melbourne when he had 31 touches and kicked three goals. Tom Lynch and departing Suns Charlie Dixon and Harley Bennell could be among the leading players.

Herald Sun votes: Tom Lynch 8, Harley Bennell 6, Aaron Hall 5, Kade Kolodjashnij 4, Michael Rischitelli 4, Charlie Dixon 4.

Champion Data votes: Gary Ablett 6, Bennell, Hall 4, Dixon, Lynch, Rischitelli 3, Dion Prestia 2.

Coaches’ Association votes: Lynch 8, Dixon 5, Hall 5, Kolodjashnij 4, Ablett 3, May 3, Rischitelli 2, Adam Saad 2.

TAB club odds: $3.50 Dixon, $4 Lynch, $4.50 Ablett, $7.50 players not quoted, $9 Hall.

Past winners: Gary Ablett (2013)

Will Heath Shaw add to his 32 career Brownlow votes?

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Expect a flurry of Giants votes early, but not so many in the back half of the season. Callan Ward’s hard in-and-under approach earned him 15 votes last season and he had career-best numbers this year.

Others in the mix to be the leading Giant include Dylan Shiel and Jeremy Cameron, while Pies fans will be toasting every time Adam Treloar’s name is called out.

Herald Sun votes: Dylan Shiel 12, Stephen Coniglio 10, Jeremy Cameron 10, Adam Treloar 7, Shane Mumford 5, Callan Ward 5.

Champion Data votes: Ward 13, Treloar 8, Shiel 7, Cameron 6, Coniglio 5, Toby Greene 4.

Coaches’ Association votes: Shiel 11, Cameron, Treloar 10, Ward 9, Coniglio 7, Mumford 5, Greene, Smith 3, Heath Shaw 2.

TAB club odds: $2.50 Shiel, $2.60 Ward, $4 Treloar, $9 Cameron, $9 Coniglio.

Past winners: Nil

HAWTHORN

How stiff has Sam Mitchell been not to win a Brownlow Medal in his illustrious career? His best return was equal-second to Jobe Watson — with 26 votes — in 2012, and outright second to Dane Swan when ineligible — with 30 votes — a year earlier.

The ball-winning machine is a lock as the Hawks’ main contender. Cyril Rioli could surpass his season-best of seven votes this year, while Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis will get their fair share.

Herald Sun votes: Sam Mitchell 25, Luke Hodge 12, Cyril Rioli 11, Jordan Lewis 10, Jarryd Roughead 7, Billy Hartung 5.

Champion Data votes: Mitchell 22, Hodge 16, Roughead 10, Lewis 7, Jack Gunston 6.

Coaches’ Association votes: Mitchell 18, Hodge 11, Gunston 10, Rioli 10, Liam Shiels 9, Roughead 7, Josh Gibson 5, Lewis 5, Bradley Hill 3, Isaac Smith 3.

TAB club odds: $1.04 Mitchell, $9 Hodge, $34 Lewis, Roughead, $81 Shiels.

Past winners: Col Austen (1949), Robert DiPierdomenico (1986), John Platten (1987), Shane Crawford (1999)

Bernie Vince had a super year for the Demons. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

MELBOURNE

Bernie Vince is expected to end Nathan Jones’ run of most votes for a Melbourne player after an outstanding year. Can’t see him pushing too high up the leaderboard but the former Crow deserves more recognition from the umpires.

Jones is a clear second and it will be fascinating to see how many votes Jesse Hogan can poll in his Rising Star-winning year.

Herald Sun votes: Bernie Vince 12, Nathan Jones 11, Jesse Hogan 10, Max Gawn 8, Tom McDonald 6, Jack Viney 3.

Champion Data votes: Jones 13, Vince 12, Gawn 3, Hogan 2, Viney 2, Daniel Cross 2, Dom Tyson 2, Aaron vandenBerg 2, McDonald 2.

Coaches’ Association votes: Vince 16, Hogan 9, Jones 6, McDonald 6, Viney 6, vandenBerg 3, Gawn 3, Jeremy Howe 2, Jack Watts 2.

TAB club odds: $1.75 Vince, $2 Jones, $10 Hogan, $34 McDonald, Viney.

Past winners: Ivor Warne-Smith (1926, 28), Don Cordner (1946), Brian Wilson (1982), Peter Moore (1984), Jim Stynes (1991), Shane Woewodin (2000)

NORTH MELBOURNE

One of the great mysteries of the 2014 Brownlow Medal count was how the hell Todd Goldstein got only three (yes, three) votes. The ruckman has raised his game to a new level this season, winning the All-Australian ruck slot for the first time. Let’s hope the umpires noticed his career-best form. He was $1001 at the start of the season.

Brent Harvey and Jack Ziebell might take a few away from him, but Goldy deserves to be right in contention this season.

Herald Sun votes: Todd Goldstein 27, Jack Ziebell 8, Shaun Higgins 7, Drew Petrie 6, Andrew Swallow 4, Brent Harvey 4.

Champion Data votes: Goldstein 12, Swallow 8, Ziebell 7, Higgins 7, Harvey 7, Ben Cunnington 5, Petrie 5.

Coaches’ Association votes: Goldstein 16, Petrie 9, Higgins 8, Ziebell 8, Cunnington 6, Swallow 6, Nick Dal Santo 3, Lachie Hansen 3, Harvey 3, Jamie Macmillan 3.

TAB club odds (without Goldstein): $2.75 Ziebell, $3 Higgins, $5 Petrie, $7.50 players not quoted, $9 Brent Harvey.

Past winners: Noel Teasdale (1965), Keith Greig (1973, 74), Malcolm Blight (1978), Ross Glendinning (1983)

PORT ADELAIDE

Hard to see anyone from the Power making a charge at any stage, though Robbie Gray deserves to be his club’s favourite to the poll the most votes.

He was edged out last year by Travis Boak (who polled sensationally with 21), but should take the points for the Power this year. Boak and All-Australian Chad Wingard will poll OK.

Herald Sun votes: Robbie Gray 14, Ollie Wines 12, ​ Travis Boak 12, Brad Ebert 9, Hamish Hartlett 5, Sam Gray 4, Brendon Ah Chee 3.

Champion Data votes: Boak 13, Robbie Gray 12, Ebert 7, Chad Wingard 6, Sam Gray 6, Hartlett 5.

Coaches’ Association votes: Robbie Gray 13, Wingard 10, Boak 8, Wines 7, Hartlett 6, Ebert, Sam Gray 4, Jay Schulz 4, Justin Westhoff 4.

TAB club odds: $1.65 Robbie Gray, $2.15 Boak, $11 Wingard, $26 Wines, $34 Hartlett.

Past winners: Nil

Dustin Martin missed out on All-Australian selection but could make his mark on Brownlow night. Picture: Colleen Petch

RICHMOND

Trent Cotchin is a proven vote-winner, but even that is unlikely to translate into Richmond’s first Brownlow Medal of his lifetime. The Tigers haven’t won a Medal since Ian Stewart won back in 1971.

The skipper has polled 63 votes in the past three seasons. The Tigers have three players in the mix to win their club voting — Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Brett Deledio.

Herald Sun votes: Trent Cotchin 14, Brett Deledio 12, Dustin Martin 11, Alex Rance 11, Brandon Ellis 10, Jack Riewoldt 6, Kamdyn McIntosh 5, Bachar Houli 5.

Champion Data votes: Cotchin 20, Martin 19, Deledio 10, Ellis 8, Anthony Miles 7, Riewoldt 5, Shaun Grigg 5.

Coaches’ Association votes: Cotchin 16, Martin 14, Deledio 13, Shane Edwards 12, Rance 11, Riewoldt 6, Ellis 5, Houli 4, Miles 4.

TAB club odds: $2.50 Cotchin, Martin, $3 Deledio, $15 Ellis, $34 Rance.

Past winners: Stan Judkins (1930), Bill Morris (1948), Roy Wright (1952, 54), Ian Stewart (1971)

ST KILDA

David Armitage missed out on the Saints’ best-and-fairest award to Jack Steven, but is considered his team’s best chance to score the most Brownlow Medal votes.

Still, he has polled only 21 votes in his first eight seasons, while Steven has 13 from his first six. Veterans Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna might claim a few on the way.

Herald Sun votes: David Armitage 16, Josh Bruce 4, Nick Riewoldt 4, Jack Billings 2, Leigh Montagna 2, Dylan Roberton 2.

Champion Data votes: Armitage 13, Montagna 7, Riewoldt 4, Steven 4, Bruce 2, Billings 2.

Coaches’ Association votes: Armitage 16, Bruce 8, Steven 6, Sean Dempster 4, Billings 2, Montagna 2.

TAB club odds: $1.05 Armitage, $8.50 Steven, $26 Riewoldt, $51 Montagna, $67 Bruce.

Past winners: Colin Watson (1925), Brian Gleeson (1957), Neil Roberts (1958), Verdun Howell (1959), Ian Stewart (1965, 66), Ross Smith (1967), Tony Lockett (1987), Robert Harvey (1997, 98)

Dan Hannebery could bring home a Brownlow Medal. Picture: Sarah Reed

SYDNEY

Dan Hannebery pipped Nat Fyfe in the AFL Coaches’ Association award after a career-best season. Can he also run him down in the Brownlow?

Hannebery polled 21 votes in 2013, but has had a better year this season. Josh Kennedy polled 21 himself last year and will again be Hannebery’s main danger in terms of the club’s voting.

Herald Sun votes: Josh Kennedy 19, Dan Hannebery 16, Luke Parker 11, Lance Franklin 10, Tom Mitchell 10, Jarrad McVeigh 7, Kurt Tippett 7.

Champion Data votes: Hannebery 24, Kennedy 15, Mitchell 9, McVeigh 6, Parker 6, Franklin 6, Kieren Jack 6.

Coaches’ Association votes: Hannebery 22, Kennedy 21, Parker 11, Franklin 8, Jack 7, Mitchell 6, McVeigh 5, Tippett 3.

TAB club odds: $1.30 Hannebery, $3.30 Kennedy, $34 Parker, $51 Franklin, Mitchell.

Past winners: Herb Matthews (1940), Ron Clegg (1949), Fred Goldsmith (1955), Bob Skilton (1959, 63, 68), Peter Bedford (1970), Graham Teasdale (1977), Barry Round (1981), Greg Williams (1986), Gerard Healy (1988), Paul Kelly (1995), Adam Goodes (2003, 06)

WEST COAST

Matt Priddis enjoyed what many consider a better season this year than his 2014 Brownlow Medal-winning year. So why can’t he win it again, and be the first player to win back-to-back Brownlows since Robert Harvey in 1997-98?

It won’t hurt that the Eagles won six more games than they did last year.

All-Australian Andrew Gaff has never polled more than six votes in a season but looks certain to pass that this year. Josh Kennedy and Nic Naitanui had great seasons and might take a few votes off Priddis, but not enough from stopping him being a real chance.

Herald Sun: votes Matt Priddis 21, Andrew Gaff 19, Nic Naitanui 13, Mark LeCras 8, Luke Shuey 7, Josh Kennedy 6, Jeremy McGovern 5.

Champion Data votes: Priddis 24, Gaff 14, Kennedy 11, Shuey 9, Chris Masten 5, LeCras 5, Naitanui 5.

Coaches’ Association votes: Priddis 17, Gaff 15, Kennedy 13, Naitanui 12, LeCras 10, McGovern 6, Shuey 5, Elliot Yeo 5, Jack Darling 3, Josh Hill 3.

TAB club odds: $1.14 Priddis, $5 Andrew Gaff, $34 Kennedy, $51 Naitanui, $81 Shuey.

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

Marcus Bontempelli had a great year — and so did a lot of his teammates. Picture: Michael Klein

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Plenty of options in the Bulldogs’ most Brownlow votes market. Take your pick from the likes of Mitch Wallis, Marcus Bontempelli, Matthew Boyd, Jack Macrae, Luke Dahlhaus, Jake Stringer, Liam Picken and Bob Murphy, to name more than a few.

That’s been the sharing success of the Dogs under coach Luke Beveridge, a real team effort of a season that took them all the way to an elimination final.

Herald Sun votes: Mitch Wallis 16, Liam Picken 11, Marcus Bontempelli 9, Jake Stringer 7, Easton Wood 5, Jackson Macrae 5, Luke Dahlhaus 5, Lachie Hunter 5.

Champion Data votes: Dahlhaus 11, Macrae 10, Bontempelli 10, Matthew Boyd 9, Wallis 6, Picken 6.

Coaches’ Association votes: Bontempelli 12, Wallis 12, Stringer 9, Wood 8, Bob Murphy 6, Matthew Boyd 5, Picken 5, Dahlhaus 4, Tory Dickson 4, Hunter 4.

TAB club odds: $2.50 Bontempelli, $2.75 Wallis, $6 Boyd, $6.50 Macrae, $9 players not quoted, $11 Dahlhaus.

Past winners: Allan Hopkins (1930), Norm 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)

TOP 10 SURPRISE WINNERS (1950-2014)

1955: Fred Goldsmith (South Melbourne)

1956: Peter Box (Footscray)

1964: Gordon Collis (Carlton)

1973: Keith Greig (North Melbourne)

1986: Robert DiPierdomenico (Hawthorn)

1990: Tony Liberatore (Footscray)

1993: Gavin Wanganeen (Essendon)

2000: Shane Woewodin (Melbourne)

2008: Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)

2014: Matthew Priddis (West Coast)

10 “GOOD THINGS” WHO WON (1950-2014)

1970: Peter Bedford (South Melbourne)

1972: Len Thompson (Collingwood)

1975: Gary Dempsey (Footscray)

1978: Malcolm Blight (North Melbourne)

1991: Jim Stynes (Melbourne)

1994: Greg Williams (Carlton)

1999: Shane Crawford (Hawthorn)

2005: Ben Cousins (West Coast)

2012: Jobe Watson (Essendon)

2013: Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)

Originally published as Brownlow Medal 2015: Who will top your club’s voting?