Champion Data Brownlow Medal tracker: Christian Petracca looms as only threat to Nick Daicos

Dustin Martin and Ollie Wines’ 36-vote seasons could be in danger as Nick Daicos continues to take the footy world by storm. Can he do it? Have your say here.

The Champion Data Brownlow Medal tracker has Christian Petracca as the biggest threat to Nick Daicos.

Christian Petracca’s Brownlow Medal credentials are flying under the radar.

No doubt Nick Daicos is in pole position, with another best on ground performance against the Dockers doing his chances no harm, but don’t rule a late charge from Petracca.

The Demons gun kicked four goals for the second week in a row on Friday night in a performance where he will vie with Steven May for maximum votes.

It’s emblematic of his year — there are only a few games where Petracca has been the standout player on the ground, but equally, he has only missed out on AFL Coaches Association votes three times this season.

With Clayton Oliver not playing since round 10 and Max Gawn also missing a chunk of the season through injury, Petracca would likely have been the main man the umpires look to at Melbourne.

Nick Daicos might already have an unassailable Brownlow Medal lead. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

Oliver polled 25 votes to Petracca’s 24 in 2022, and 31 votes to Petracca’s 23 in 2021.

If Oliver continues to be sidelined by hamstring setbacks, Petracca will have the opportunity to charge home and be the greatest threat to Daicos.

Daicos leads considerably in both the coaches’ votes and Champion Data’s tracker, with Petracca second.

The Herald Sun’s player of the year award has Petracca and Daicos tied on 26 votes through 18 rounds, with Brisbane skipper Lachie Neale five votes behind in third.

That trio have been prominent in voting throughout the season, setting themselves apart in the past two months.

Neale could challenge for his second Brownlow after a big past month where he registered three best on ground performances in a row before the loss to Melbourne, helping him rocket up to fourth in the coaches association’s award.

Christian Petracca has gone to another level without Clayton Oliver. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Near best on ground games from Tim Taranto and Jordan Dawson at the weekend are keeping them in the race too, but a huge final six weeks would be needed for one of them to take Charlie home.

Especially given Daicos’ imperious form, with the 20-year-old on track to eclipse Dustin Martin (2017) and Ollie Wines’ (2021) record of 36 votes in a season.

It’s feasible that Daicos will net a perfect 12 votes in his past four games.

This stretch is included in a run of nine matches where the Pies star is tipped to poll the three votes.

Three of those have been against Geelong, Port Adelaide and Essendon — all of which the Pies play again to close out the home and away season.

At one stage Daicos looked to be under threat from Zak Butters, however the Port Adelaide midfielder has only polled one coaches’ vote in the past three weeks.

Daicos vs Petracca

Tied on 26 votes in Herald Sun player of the year award

Daicos (99) leads Petracca (84) in Coaches Association award

BROWNLOW TRACKER LEADERBOARD

1. Nick Daicos 27.24 votes

2. Christian Petracca 19.81 votes

3. Marcus Bontempelli 18.65 votes

4. Lachie Neale 16.73 votes

5. Tim Taranto 15.93 votes

6. Zach Merrett 15.57 votes*

7. Patrick Cripps 14.76 votes

8. Matt Rowell 13.08 votes

9. Clayton Oliver 12.75 votes

10. Rowan Marshall 12.43 votes

11. Rory Laird 12.31 votes

12. Noah Anderson 12.25 votes

13. Zak Butters 12.01 votes

14. Stephen Coniglio 11.65 votes

15. Andrew Brayshaw 11.51 votes

16. Jack Viney 11.40 votes

17. Connor Rozee 11.42 votes

18. Tom Green 10.94 votes

19. Caleb Serong 10.68 votes

20. Tim English 10.52 votes

COACHES ASSOCIATION LEADERBOARD

99 Nick Daicos

84 Christian Petracca

77 Zak Butters

70 Lachie Neale

66 Marcus Bontempelli

65 Noah Anderson

65 Zach Merrett

63 Connor Rozee

62 Jordan Dawson

62 Tim Taranto

58 Toby Greene

57 Jack Sinclair

53 Caleb Serong

50 Jordan De Goey

50 Errol Gulden

50 Dan Houston

49 Adam Cerra

48 Shai Bolton

47 Jai Newcombe

46 Patrick Cripps