Scott Pendlebury explains nerves cannot be cast aside on the AFL's night of nights

AS much as you try and relax on a night such as tonight, it helps to keep the emotions in check.

Sam Mitchell

AS much as you try and relax on a night such as tonight, it helps to keep the emotions in check.

I would love dearly to go along tonight, as we have in the past couple of years, with a big game to play on Saturday. But Sydney and Hawthorn have been two of the most consistent sides all year and deserve that honour.

For someone such as Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell, tonight can be a little bit of a juggling act.

As one of the leading fancies, Mitch will have the cameras on him all night, trying to capture any emotion. No doubt, he will be more excited about the Grand Final and will leave, I imagine, straight after the winner is announced.

You tend to ride a bit of a rollercoaster when someone on your table or team is a chance to win the Medal.

BROWNLOW TRACKER: Expert Brownlow coverage

You follow the Herald Sun formguide on your table and know the games that guys have played well in.

In 2010, for example, when I thought Dane Swan was a shoo-in, you couldn't help but feel a little disappointed or surprised when he failed to poll a vote in a game in which he was hot.

The cameras are there and they capture that reaction. But that's part of the beauty of the Brownlow, that unpredictability.

I like the tradition of the umpires giving the votes, when so much in our game has changed in recent years.

But, just as much as the people watching at home, sometimes we scratch our heads at some of the voting.

Mostly, you try and keep relaxed, happy to be there and among friends from other teams for a laugh and a few quiet ones (if you're not playing in the big one).

The disappointment will still be pretty fresh for the Collingwood boys after our loss to the Swans on Friday night. But tonight will be about the guys who have had great seasons.

It will be interesting to find out how votes Gary Ablett polls.

He had so many huge games, but the Suns won just three games. I will be intrigued to see if he gets the three votes in some of those defeats.

I'm tipping Essendon's Jobe Watson or Sydney's Josh Kennedy. Both players would deserve the Brownlow honour.

I feel for the girls a lot. They come to support their partners and friends and get judged too harshly in the fashion stakes. Some of the criticism they get and the pressure they are under is disgusting.

Let's keep the focus on the guys who poll well, and the fine seasons they've had.