Brownlow Medal 2024: Sydney stars Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner among favourites

Among the top four in the market for this year’s Brownlow Medal, there are two Swans. Could two teammates really contend? LACHLAN MCKIRDY breaks it down.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 23: Chad Warner of the Swans reacts on the final siren during the round 11 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on May 23, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

When it comes to Brownlow night, Swans players have long been content with the fact that the pursuit of team success might hinder their chances of personal glory.

Not since Adam Goodes in 2006 has Sydney had a player win the Brownlow Medal, but after one of their best starts to a season in more than a century, they now find themselves with two of the overwhelming favourites for the game’s top honour.

Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner have been two of the standout players in 2024. But they would have to create history to both be in contention for the award by round 24.

Not since 2005 have two teammates finished first and second in the count when Ben Cousins (20) and Daniel Kerr (19) battled it out in a close affair. Before that, you have to go back to 1926 for a similar record.

In the past five years, Patrick Dangerfield (2019) is the only player to finish in the top two of the Brownlow count who has had a teammate also in the top five (Tim Kelly).

Errol Gulden went close to winning the Brownlow last year, but it’s been almost two decades since a Swan won the award. Picture: Michael Klein

Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr were the last teammates to finish 1-2 in the Brownlow count in 2005.

Heeney’s incredible consistency since his permanent move to the midfield has rightfully catapulted him into the elite category in the competition. He is averaging 26.4 disposals, 6.5 clearances and 12.4 contested possessions through 11 matches in what is easily the best start to a season in his career.

However, right behind him is Warner whose past month and a half of footy is rated as the best stretch of his career. The 23-year-old is winning plenty of ball, with 24.5 disposals a game, but it’s his ability to impact the scoreboard that has been telling.

He is ranked as elite in the competition for bounces, score involvements and score launches, while in the past three weeks alone, he has kicked nine goals from midfield.

Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner are two of the AFL’s most in-form players, and could be fighting over votes for the Brownlow. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I think he wasn’t too happy with probably his first half of the season,” Hayden McLean said of Warner.

“Then he just got to work and got his defensive stuff right. I think now, he’s just reaping the reward on the back of that and he’s obviously exciting to watch.”

According to this masthead’s player of the year voting before round 11, Heeney has a seven-point lead with Warner likely surging into the top 10 on the back of another best-on-ground performance against the Western Bulldogs.

The other comparison is the AFLCA’s champion player of the year award. Heeney comfortably held the lead going into round 11, with Warner sitting in sixth and closing in after Thursday’s match.

But the race could be even tighter with Heeney and Warner potentially sitting at No.1 and No.2 on the leaderboard as the Swans go into their second bye of the season.

Of the Swans’ 11 games this season, I believe either Heeney (4) or Warner (3) have been best-on-ground in seven of the matches.

Warner was BOG again after his four-goal haul against the Dogs. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

In fact, the Swans’ close win over the Bulldogs was the first game this season where I did not give Heeney at least one vote.

It means that Heeney is currently sitting on 21 votes and Warner on 16 after 11 matches. If they continue that rate, they could both be hunting down the record of 36 votes to win the Brownlow since 3-2-1 voting was introduced.

However, there is the fact that there are several other teammates who have the potential to pinch votes along the way.

Errol Gulden has had a slower start to the season in comparison to his teammates but is still ranked elite for kicks, score involvements and inside 50s. He is certainly warming up this year and likely has at least seven votes, if not more.

Then there’s Brodie Grundy who has been a revelation, particularly at the SCG. While ruckmen can often find it hard to get the attention of umpires, there’s no doubt he has put on some clinics around the stoppages and would likely command some respect.

Brodie Grundy’s great start to the year could also see him sneak a few votes. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

You can’t count out the game-breakers like Nick Blakey or Tom Papley either. They’re the players who bring the crowd to life, and it’s hard not to be influenced by that when adjudging your votes at the end of a match. If you ask Sydney players, it’s James Rowbottom who should finally get at least one Brownlow vote this year after his record-breaking tackling work.

In terms of other players around the competition. Essendon Zach Merrett is likely to be their biggest contender at the moment. His form has been exceptional in a Bombers team flying higher than they have been in almost two decades.

Then there’s also the usual suspects of Caleb Serong, Nick Daicos, Patrick Cripps and Zak Butters who will continually pick up votes throughout the season.

At the end of the day, Heeney and Warner won’t even be thinking about the Brownlow with their team clearly the one to beat at this stage of the season.

But could we face a scenario where two players from the same team are fighting out for the Charlie? It’s certainly a possibility.

Originally published as Brownlow Medal 2024: Sydney stars Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner among favourites