2021 Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli and Clayton Oliver in tight race for major honour

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is a red-hot Brownlow Medal favourite this year. But history suggests he might not be in front in the count. Here’s why.

Marcus Bontempelli has been like Superman for the Western Bulldogs this year. Picture: Michael Klein

If you look at the bookmaker odds or listen to some football commentators, it seems almost a given that Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli will have the 2021 Brownlow Medal placed around his neck next month.

But are we selling Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver short?

The AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year votes last year correctly picked the 2020 Brownlow Medal winner as Brisbane onballer Lachie Neale.

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Don’t discard the Brownlow hopes of Clayton Oliver.

With two rounds remaining in the home-and-away season, Oliver is atop of that same leaderboard.

Oliver and Bontempelli are different players, but in many ways have had very similar seasons.

Both have played every game this year in teams that have both won 15 times and, coincidently, both are averaging 123 KFC SuperCoach ranking points.

Oliver averages more disposals (31.6 to 27.6) and more contested possessions (17.4 to 11.6) as a stronger inside player.

Bontempelli averages more goals (1.3 to 0.3) and more metres gained (559m to 412m) as a better outside player.

Melbourne midfielder Christian Petracca was best afield against West Coast in Round 21, but had high praise for Oliver — who could have picked up another one or two Brownlow votes.

“He’s an absolute freak,” Petracca said of Oliver.

“I love playing with him every week, we are constantly growing.

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is the Brownlow favourite.

“We rely on him so much in the centre bounces. His craft at stoppages is unbelievable.”

There is no doubt Bontempelli’s impact on games has gone up a gear — if not two — between 2020 and 2021.

But the ‘Bont’ only polled 10 Brownlow Medal votes last year, pipped for team honours by fellow Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae (15 votes).

Macrae sits equal-14th in the coaches’ votes this year after another strong season which has seen him record 35 or more disposals in 10 of his 20 matches.

Bontempelli is almost certain to poll more votes than Macrae this season, but expect Macrae — the No. 1 player in the competition on ranking points — to again rack up some votes for the Bulldogs.

Oliver is a proven umpires’ favourite.

He polled 14 Brownlow Medal votes last year in a Melbourne side that won nine games and missed the finals.

The Bont may well be the competition’s best player this season, but don’t write off the possibility of a Brownlow boilover if Oliver has a big finish to the year.

Jack Macrae has enjoyed another outstanding season.

2020 AFLCA PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES

93 – Lachie Neale (BL)

78 – Christian Petracca (Mel)

77 – Travis Boak (PA)

72 – Jack Steele (StK)

2020 BROWNLOW MEDAL VOTES

31 – Lachie Neale (BL)

21 – Travis Boak (PA)

20 – Christian Petracca (Mel)

20 – Jack Steele (StK)

AFLCA PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2021 VOTES AFTER ROUND 21

104 – Clayton Oliver (Mel)

101 – Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

95 – Touk Miller (GC)

91 – Oliver Wines (PA)

90 – Sam Walsh (Car)

85 – Jack Steele (StK)

84 – Zach Merrett (Ess)

76 – Christian Petracca (Mel)

73 – Darcy Parish (Ess)

TAB 2021 BROWNLOW MEDAL ODDS AFTER ROUND 21

$2.25 – Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

$5 – Oliver Wines (PA)

$7 – Clayton Oliver (Mel)

$11 – Christian Petracca (Mel)

$13 – Sam Walsh (Car)

$13 – Darcy Parish (Ess)

Originally published as 2021 Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli and Clayton Oliver in tight race for major honour