Considerably, two of that bracket – Gold Coast’s Miller and Fremantle’s Brayshaw – ably fill the outline of “lesser-known gamers from non-Victorian golf equipment”, which means their profiles will carry with a rocket within the south-eastern nook of the Australian mainland.
Among the many situations for the potential winners, absolutely a victory by Carlton skipper Cripps will probably be as properly obtained as another, and can soothe the ache among the many Blues’ supporting fraternity nonetheless coming to phrases with dropping their finals spot on the final minute.
Past the main six, recognizing one other potential winner is difficult, and it could be a victory from the clouds and achieved at lengthy odds. The likes of Sydney’s Callum Mills and Adelaide’s Rory Laird (each $67) saluting could be remembered for years to return. Past that, Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee, Carlton’s Walsh, Dion Prestia and Zach Merrett might but make photographs at a top-five end.
Moreover, a win by an vital participant not bestowed with midfield duties, a la Jeremy Cameron from minor premiers Geelong, would buck the fashionable development of umpires ignoring the efforts of forwards and ruckmen. Count on Cameron to vie with Cameron Guthrie for prime votes at Geelong.
Which participant has favouritism?
Neale has his nostril in entrance, marginally forward of fellow engine-room gun Oliver who, it should be remembered, polled 31 votes final 12 months to take third spot behind Wines and Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli (33 votes).
Subsequent in line is Cripps, adopted by both Brayshaw or Miller. Petracca ($10) is correct within the combine however thought of the least possible of the highest six to win. Naturally, Petracca will lose votes to Oliver but when it’s a tally within the mid-20s that claims the medal, Petracca could also be in entrance after spherical 23.
The rise of Brayshaw
Brayshaw’s affect, particularly in Fremantle’s climb up the ladder this 12 months, has been sharp and noticeable. His elevated standing in AFL circles was recognised by his friends who voted him in because the AFLPA MVP earlier this month.
After making his debut in 2018, Brayshaw turned recognized, nevertheless, for an occasion that was completely out of his management, the then-youthful Docker on the receiving finish of a punch from West Coast’s Andrew Gaff late that season. Gaff was instantly regretful and apologetic (considerably lacking out on the membership’s premiership that 12 months), whereas Brayshaw had help from one and all.
Quirkily, Brayshaw setting the leaderboard alight on Sunday evening gained’t be the primary time that title has been within the highlight on Brownlow evening. Brother Angus Brayshaw memorably bolted to 3rd spot within the Brownlow 4 years in the past, polling a string of votes as an influential wingman at Melbourne.
Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw.Credit score:AFL Pictures
Neale’s all-time standing
A significant cog at Brisbane, Neale (128 profession votes) is sure to be pushed additional up the all-time vote-winning leaderboard. Dragging in 25 votes this 12 months, for instance, will push the previous Docker into territory at present owned and occupied by greats resembling Greg Williams and Dick Reynolds (each on 154 profession votes) and forward of gamers resembling Michael Voss (150 votes) and three-time winner Ian Stewart (139 votes).
Cameron a Cat on sizzling tin roof
The Geelong spearhead polled 21 votes within the ABC Footballer of the 12 months award, to take fifth spot behind their co-winners Cripps and Oliver (24 votes), adopted by Neale and Brayshaw. Realistically, Cameron gained’t win however would possibly make a mark within the tally room. The Cats gained two extra matches than any membership (18 all collectively) whereas gamers who normally catch the umpires’ eye – Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield – gained’t be wherever close to as outstanding.
AFL.com.au’s Brownlow Predictor has Cameron on 18 votes, however properly behind the participant they mission as the highest vote winner – Miller, who, remarkably, is predicted to build up 30 votes.
Bolters and one-time wonders
That is the place the depend will get notably enjoyable. Fremantle’s Will Brodie might barely get a sport at his former membership Gold Coast, however he’s been vital for the Dockers this 12 months.
Who is aware of – the umpires have most likely seen that, too. A hypothetical 3-2-1 voting end result based mostly on votes solid in The Age footballer-of-the-year award sees Brodie accumulating 9 Brownlow votes. Curiously, underneath the identical projections, Oliver (26 votes) will probably be a slim medal winner forward of Cripps and Brayshaw (each on 25 votes).
There’s one other potential bolter on that horizon, too: Brisbane wingman Hugh McCluggage. Our data-crunching has McCluggage incomes 19 votes which, remarkably, would put him one vote forward of teammate Neale.
In what shapes as a compelling depend, don’t rule something out.
