Brownlow Medal 2017: What you need to know before the night

HERE’S what you need to know before you watch the Brownlow Medal awards night.

EVERY year, AFL fans secure the Brownlow Medal awards night in their calendar — and as the date approaches, we’ve put together all the key information.

Who is the favourite?

Dustin Martin is the hot favourite to win the Brownlow Medal, particularly after Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield was ruled ineligible.

The Richmond star has played every game this season - the best in his career so far. The Tigers have Martin to thank for helping the team land in the finals top-four. As the favourite, his odds are sitting at $1.10.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ODDS FOR THE BROWNLOW WINNERS

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Dusty fends off a tackle by Jordan Murdoch during the AFL Second Qualifying Final Match, 2017. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

How to watch the Brownlow Medal

This year the awards are held on September 25 in Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.

While you won’t be able to attend unless you’ve been specifically invited, you can watch the night unfold on Channel 7 on free-to-air TV from 7.30pm.

And true-blue footy fans who want to wish their footy heroes luck can stand on the flanks of the red carpet.

When is it? Monday 25 September

Where is it? Crown Palladium

What time? From 7.30pm

What channel? Channel 7

WHY PATRICK DANGERFIELD AND DUSTIN MARTIN HAVE MADE THE BROWNLOW MEDAL A TWO-HORSE RACE

Controversy to watch for

The previous year’s Brownlow Medal winner normally presents the award.

Last year Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield took out the top prize, and after a top season, it was suspected he could win again this year.

That is, until he was suspended after a dangerous tackle on Matthew Kreuzer, making him ineligible to win. This means there’s a chance he might hand over the medal to a player with fewer votes than him.

READ MORE ABOUT IT: PATRICK DANGERFIELD WILL BE ASKED TO PRESENT THE 2017 BROWNLOW MEDAL WINNER WITH THE AWARD

Patrick Dangerfield gets out a handball ahead of Sydney's Josh Kennedy during a Semi-Final match between the Swans and the Cats. Picture. Phil Hillyard

What is the Brownlow Medal?

Awarded each season since 1924, the Brownlow Medal is the most prestigious individual honour an AFL player can receive. The medal, officially called the Charles Brownlow Trophy after a former VFL president, is handed to the Fairest and Best player of each season.

The winner is decided by the field umpires who, at the end of each game in the season, choose the top three best performing players. Three votes are given to the player they consider was the best on ground, two for the second best, and one vote for the third.

Each game and its top three players are listed on the night — making the awards night notoriously long. But keep your eye out for the best dressed players and partners, and the crowd-pleasing prizes including mark and goal of the year and the community service award.