AFL 2023: Nick Daicos and the Brownlow Medal tracker after 17 rounds

Nick Daicos seems ever closer to being a potential Brownlow lock. But the favourite doesn’t always take Charlie home. So who are the stars hunting him? Check out the Brownlow tracker.

Nick Daicos could have as many as 27 Brownlow Medal votes and seven best-on-ground performances as he admitted he was still learning Collingwood’s midfield structures.

The star second-year Pie is likely to secure a trio of three-vote performances in the past three weeks as Collingwood suggested his time as a half-back is over.

After the club overran the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, Daicos said he now had a torpedo licence after asking coach Craig McRae whether he could unleash a barrel in coming weeks.

Daicos leads the AFLCA award and has been so dominant, he is likely to secure three votes from the umpires in seven of his 16 games.

He should also pick up two votes from round 1 behind Jordan De Goey and could also pick up as many as four from games including the round 4 loss to Brisbane, the round 9 win over GWS and the round 11 win over North Melbourne.

The field is chasing Collingwood young gun Nick Daicos. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Patrick Cripps won the 2022 Brownlow Medal with 29 votes, while Ollie Wines was the 2021 victor with 36.

The 2023 count promises to be epic, given Zak Butters is on a tear for Port Adelaide and stalwarts including Lachie Neale and Christian Petracca are playing brilliant football.

Pies assistant coach Justin Leppitsch said at the weekend Daicos’ stint as a half back was over as Nick Daicos admitted he was still learning the ropes as a mid-forward.

“I am someone that does like to know early in the week but the team doesn’t get finalised until late in the week so I am always someone bugging the coaches and annoying them but I see my best football and I have for a long time as mid-forward, forward of centre and going inside 50,” Daicos said.

“I am getting more confident around the stoppage each week and the likes of Scotty Pendlebury, Tom Mitchell, Jordy (De Goey), they are helping me with where to be and how to go about it. I am loving the midfield minutes and I want them to continue.

“I have really wanted to play midfield so I am lucky to get the opportunity as Jordy has been out and hopefully it will continue now he’s back.”

Daicos could have as many as 27 votes after 17 rounds. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

He told 3AW he realised there was increasing hype about his performances and pressure to perform, but he was determined to continue setting up his weekend performances with big weeks on the training track.

“I guess it’s very humbling for me. I just wanted to play last year and get games in. I am getting more confident every week and I am aware the pressure is there,” Daicos said.

“Come Monday I just get back to work. And I know if I just put in the work gives me a great lot of confidence going into games.

“I know there are people going through a lot more and there are more pressures in the world than a game of football.

“My job is to give it my all and hopefully help the team win and fortunately at the moment it’s winning.”

Originally published as AFL 2023: Nick Daicos and the Brownlow Medal tracker after 17 rounds