We asked 12 members of our football team to predict the top three placings in the count, and the dynamic midfielders, both aged 27, featured prominently.<\/p>\n
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The usual suspects for Monday night\u2019s Brownlow Medal are Port Adelaide\u2019s Zak Butters, Melbournne\u2019s Christian Petracca, Marcus Bontempelli, Collingwood\u2019s Nick Daicos and Brisbane\u2019s Lachie Neale.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n In fact, five members of our team picked Bontempelli to win it and five picked Petracca. The contrarians were columnist Kane Cornes who picked Port Adelaide\u2019s Zak Butters to take home \u201cCharlie\u201d and Michael Gleeson who picked Nick Daicos to hang on to his lead despite a late-season injury.<\/p>\n In another point of difference, Gleeson was the only pundit to pick Brisbane\u2019s Lachie Neale \u2013 who won the Brownlow in 2020 \u2013 to finish on the podium.<\/p>\n Those five players \u2013 Bontempelli, Petracca, Daicos, Butters and Neale \u2013 are the usual suspects of 2023; the only five players our experts expect to finish among the placegetters when the final votes are read out on Monday night. As you will see, Petracca\u2019s teammate Clayton Oliver was the strong fancy for this year\u2019s medal among our experts before the season began, but his long injury lay-off removed him from calculations.<\/p>\n Pre-season tip:<\/strong> Christian Petracca (Melbourne). He finished with 24 votes last year after a season in which he had fluctuations and injury. He can do better in a dominant side. Pre-season tip: <\/strong>Clayton Oliver (Melbourne). The champion midfielder looks ready to lead Melbourne back into the top four this year. Pre-season tip:<\/strong> Clayton Oliver (Melbourne). The Demons will be stronger premiership contenders in 2023 and it\u2019s Oliver\u2019s consistency in the contest that will gather the attention of the umpires. Has had a couple of standout years now, but can often get overshadowed by the work of Christian Petracca. Pre-season tip: <\/strong>Chad Warner (Sydney). He can do everything. More will be expected of him at the Swans this year, and he will deliver. Pre-season tip: <\/strong>Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs). Because he has to win one. Pre-season tip: <\/strong>Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions). The addition of Josh Dunkley will make him even more dangerous. Pre-season tip: <\/strong>Clayton Oliver (Melbourne). Each year Oliver is right up there in the conversation to take home \u201cCharlie\u201d, and if teammate Christian Petracca doesn\u2019t take too many votes off him, I can\u2019t see anyone getting in his way this season. Pre-season tip:<\/strong> Clayton Oliver (Melbourne). Gun midfielder in a top team, and a prolific vote-getter. Pre-season tip: <\/strong>Clayton Oliver (Melbourne). Equal-fourth last year and third in 2021, Melbourne\u2019s ultra-consistent on-baller is primed to top both those results and win the medal this season.<\/p>\n Why it\u2019s changed:<\/strong> Clayton Oliver started the season strongly, but a hamstring injury kept him to 13 home and away games. Bontempelli is another proven vote-getter whose best games cannot be missed.<\/p>\n Pre-season tip: <\/strong>Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs). The fire is in the belly after last year\u2019s disappointments.
Why it hasn\u2019t changed:<\/strong> I\u2019ve stuck with my pre-season pick of Petracca, who is helped by the absence of Clayton Oliver for a stretch of games. Bontempelli deserves a Brownlow and will be close, and Daicos is hurt by those last four games he won\u2019t poll in.<\/p>\n
Why it\u2019s changed: <\/strong>I\u2019ve changed from Oliver because his year was injury-affected.<\/p>\n
Why it\u2019s changed:<\/strong> I tipped Clayton Oliver during the pre-season, but due to an extended break through injury he won\u2019t be up there in the polling. \u201cThe Bont\u201d has been a clear standout all year, dominating on the inside and then using his work rate to burn opponents on the outside. He\u2019ll be a worthy winner in what should be a close count.<\/p>\n
Why it\u2019s changed: <\/strong>Gee, was that ambitious! Warnner had a ripper year in 2022 and didn\u2019t go on this year.<\/p>\n
Why it hasn\u2019t changed:<\/strong> As I said before the season, Bontempelli is going to win one. This one is as good as any.<\/p>\n
Why it\u2019s changed:<\/strong> The Lions star will still poll well, but is likely to fall short.<\/p>\n
Why it\u2019s changed: <\/strong>Oliver\u2019s injury means there was one less superstar to take votes off Petracca. And putting aside Melbourne\u2019s finals run, he\u2019s been a consistent player in a good team all year.<\/p>\n
Why it\u2019s changed:<\/strong> A troublesome hamstring injury cruelled Clayton Oliver\u2019s chances, but Christian Petracca will enjoy not having to vie with his star teammate for votes. With 12 games where he collects 29 or more possessions, and a further four where he kicks multiple goals, Petracca should have enough games to poll a winning total.<\/p>\n
Why it hasn\u2019t changed:<\/strong> There is no reason to change from my pre-season prediction as the proven vote-winner hauled his team over the line on many occasions, with only Tom Liberatore battling him for votes.<\/p>\n