This Sunday, the 2022 Brownlow medallist will be announced after another season with a plethora of standout performances.
The likes of Brisbane's Lachie Neale, Melbourne's Clayton Oliver and Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw are strong favourites to poll highly this year, while Sun's co-captain Touk Miller and Adelaide's Rory Laird have also emerged as contenders from those who finished outside the eight.
We've put together each side's potential top five vote-getters for this season - based on our results from Zero Hanger's AFL MVP for 2022.
Across the course of this season, theย Zero Hangerย team - consisting of editor Mitch Keating, general manager Nick Splitter, deputy editor Ed Carmine and digital reporter Dani Sorati - voted on every game to establish ourย AFL MVPย for 2022.
SEE ALSO:ย
- Predicting every likely three-vote performance
- Which club will poll the most votes?
- Brownlow winner, top 3, top 5, top 10, top 20
- Likely leader after five rounds
- Likely leader after 10 rounds
- Most votes in the last eight rounds (16-23)
- Players to poll in most games
- Stats Insider: The algorithm that's tipping a close Brownlow
- How to watch the Brownlow
Votes were given out on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system for each game, meaning the maximum score any player can record in any game is 20.
With this in mind, find out who you should expect to see polling Brownlow votes for your side on Sunday night.
Adelaide
Rory Laird played like a man possessed in the engine room for the Crows throughout 2022. The 28-year-old was extremely stiff to miss the final All-Australian side for this season after having an exceptional run in the midfield.
Laird averaged 33 disposals, 8.1 tackles and 7.6 clearances in 20 games this year and looks set to be a high vote-getter for not only Adelaide but for the league given his performances.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Brisbane
The 2020 Brownlow medallist looks set to feature at the top of the list yet again in 2022 following an outstanding season for the Lions.
The 29-year-old averaged 30.4 disposals, 7.7 clearances and 4.6 tackles in the midfield and was regularly causing headaches for the opposition's engine room as the Lions booked another finals spot.
Neale's elite consistency and performance level has been crucial for the Lions, form that has transitioned into September.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Carlton
A resurgent season of sorts for Cripps, who put his name back near the top for midfielders in the competition after struggling to reach his 2019 impact in both 2020 and 2021.
The 27-year-old's talents are elite and no one doubted his ability when fit, some may have been surprised of just how good Cripps was this season for the much-improved Blues.
Reminding many of his match-winning ability, Cripps averaged 28.1 disposals, 5 tackles and 7.7 clearances a game while also kicking 20 goals for the season to finish with just under a goal per game for the season.
It was a disappointing end of the season for Cripps and the Blues but expect the skipper to be back at the top of the Brownlow leaderboard this Sunday.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Collingwood
Jack Crisp kicked off his 2022 campaign in fine fashion, hurting opponents with his speed and penetrating kick from both half-back and the midfield.
Post the mid-season bye, Crisp's form wavered a little as he failed to collect over 20 disposals in six of his last nine games but has performed remarkably for Collingwood in the first two weeks of finals as the Magpies stormed into a preliminary final date against the Swans.
Overall, Crisp averaged 23.6 disposals, 5.5 tackles and 451 metres gained per game and looks to have regained the spark he had at the start of the season at the perfect time.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Essendon
It was a forgettable season for the Bombers in 2022, but midfield gun Zach Merrett had a fine season in the midfield, including some great late-season form.
The 26-year-old averaged 30.1 disposals, 4.3 tackles and 4.6 clearances per game this season and was a ball magnet for Ben Rutten's side.
Between Rounds 17-20, Merrett collected 31+ disposals in all for games, including two lots of 38 against Collingwood and North Melbourne.
Given his late-season impact as the Bombers' form briefly improved, expect Merrett to poll late and push into the upper bracket of the leaderboard on Brownlow night.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Fremantle
What a season for the youngster! Andrew Brayshaw had a spectacular 2022 season that has shot him into Brownlow favouritism amongst the usual names as Fremantle jumped into the eight in a stellar season for the club.
The 22-year-old won his first All-Australian blazer and also claimed the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the players' MVP for the season.
Brayshaw averaged 29.3 disposals, 6.2 tackles and 3.9 clearances in 24 games, while also averaging a goal every other game for the Dockers.
A Brownlow Medal would be a fantastic honour to cap a great season for Brayshaw.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Geelong
After an injury-interrupted debut season at the Cattery in 2021, former Giant Jeremy Cameron was exceptional for the Cats in 2022 alongside fellow superstar forward Tom Hawkins as Geelong finished top of the ladder.
While the Brownlow is widely regarded as a midfielder's award, Cameron's around the ground presence, as well as his match-winning ability, should have him collecting plenty of votes on Brownlow night.
Cameron shrugged off the hamstring concerns that ruined last season to average 16.3 disposals, 2.8 goals and 5.9 marks per game as he finished third in the Coleman Medal race behind winner Charlie Curnow and Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
Who Else?
Gold Coast
The Suns' co-captain had a monster season working with the likes of ruckman Jarrod Witts and emerging stars Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell in the middle.
Miller's stellar campaign saw him claim the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award alongside Melbourne star Clayton Oliver, while the 26-year-old also won his second consecutive All-Australian blazer and club best and fairest.
Led by the Miller, the Suns were competitive for a large part of the season as they chased a maiden finals appearance for the club but ultimately fell short, with lengthy injuries to key players not helping their surge.
Miller averaged 28.5 disposals, six tackles and 7.9 clearances in 2022, and looks set to be a strong contender for the Brownlow given his fantastic performances all season for the Suns.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
GWS
It was a disappointing season for the Giants in 2022 as they slumped to a 16th-place finish and saw long-term coach Leon Cameron sacked early in the season.
In his first season as captain for the Giants, Josh Kelly can hold his head high after a fine season in the midfield for GWS in what turned out to be a season they'd rather forget.
The 27-year-old smooth mover averaged 26.7 disposals, 4.4 marks, 4.8 tackles and 3.8 clearances in 21 matches, including strong mid-season form.
It's hard to see Kelly pushing for the Brownlow but in a season with fewer standouts, Kelly seems set be one of the highest pollers at the club this season.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Hawthorn
It was a remarkable return season for James Sicily, after missing the past 18 months due to an ACL injury.
Sicily was phenomenal at the back for the Sam Mitchell-led Hawks as he worked his way into All-Australian form, and can count himself unlucky to miss out on selection.
The 27-year-old led the league for both marks (190) and rebound 50s (179), while finishing in third for average metres gained (590.18).
Sicily also averaged 23.8 disposals, 6.6 spoils and 2.6 intercept marks per game for the improving Hawthorn side but, like Cameron, might miss out on Brownlow votes due to his position on the ground.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Who Else?
Melbourne
It was yet another phenomenal season for star Demon Clayton Oliver in 2022, who was arguably the best midfielder for the season and could be set to receive a Brownlow Medal to add to his growing list of accolades.
Oliver won the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award alongside Touk Miller and received his third All-Australian selection in 2022.
The 25-year-old averaged 32.7 disposals, 5.5 tackles and 8.7 clearances (league leader) per game as the Demons pushed for back-to-back premiership success before falling short against Brisbane on the weekend.
Expect to see Oliver's name in the top three for most of the night on Sunday as the votes get read out, but maybe watch out for likes of Brayshaw, Petracca and Gawn to 'steal' votes from the midfield bull.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
North Melbourne
Luke Davies-Uniacke enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, announcing himself as a genuine gun of the competition in a much-improved season for the youngster.
The 23-year-old averaged 24.9 disposals, 4.4 tackles and 5.3 clearances per game for the Kangaroos and was one of few bright spots for North Melbourne as they won their second consecutive wooden spoon.
With coaching legend Alastair Clarkson at the helm next year, 'LDU' could become a real star of the competition in coming years as North look to rise up the ladder.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Port Adelaide
One of the best young players in the competition, Connor Rozee took his game to another level in 2022 as a midfielder/forward for the Power.
While the side missed finals after a horrendous start to the season, Rozee was fantastic for Port and the dynamism of the 22-year-old's game can turn a contest on its head.
Rozee secured his first All-Australian selection after averaging 23.2 disposals, 3.2 clearances, 3.8 tackles while kicking also slotting 18 majors in 22 games this year.
He'll be an interesting watch on Brownlow night but expect Rozee to poll quite a few votes after the opening five rounds.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Dan Houston
Richmond
The definition of a match-winner, Shai Bolton had an outstanding season for the Tigers in 2022 to push them to a seventh-place finish.
Playing as a midfielder/forward, Bolton was electric as he averaged 17.5 disposals, 3.6 clearances and 1.9 goals per game in 23 games this year for the Tigers.
With Dusty missing chunks of the season, Bolton grasped the goalkicking midfield role with both hands to secure a maiden All-Australian selection with his pace and goal sense a real threat for the opposition when he is on his game.
His ability to turn games single-handedly should see him poll reasonably well in the Brownlow this weekend.
Midfielder
Disposals
Goals
Clearances
Who Else?
St Kilda
It was a tough season for the Saints' skipper, with midfield bull Jack Steele only playing 18 games with injury hampering the middle of his year in 2022.
Steele averaged 27.1 disposals, 7.2 tackles and 5.2 clearances per game in 2022, and late season form could see him poll well to finish the season.
Expect Jack Sinclair to be very close or even poll more than Steele given his consistency throughout the whole season come Brownlow night.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
Sydney
The Swans' co-captain had an impressive season as the Swans finished in third on the ladder, with a spot in the Grand Final on offer this weekend.
Mills' ability to play as either a ball magnet, tagger or defender gives the Sydney side a lot of flexibility in his role.
At just 25, Mills' best years are still ahead of him as the Swans Academy product picked up his maiden All-Australian selection this season.
Mills averaged 24.8 disposals, 6.7 marks and 6.5 tackles, with his pressure around the ball a real strength to his game.
Mills looks set to be a strong poller for the Swans but could slide down the overall order given the mass of talent in the Swans side this year.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who Else?
West Coast
It was a horror year for the Eagles, with the side just missing out on the wooden spoon after a disastrous early season run of injuries and COVID.
Despite this, Tom Barrass had one of the best seasons of his career at the heart of the defence.
With Jeremy McGovern missing chunks of the season, Barrass and veteran Shannon Hurn held down the constantly under-fire West Coast backline for most of the season and performed well to at least stem the bleeding a bit in most contests this year.
Barrass averaged 15.5 disposals, 3.8 intercept marks and 7.5 spoils per game in 2022 resulting in the 26-year-old claiming the club's best and fairest, Barrass' first of his career.
Don't expect him to poll massively at the Brownlow, but he might just sneak in a few votes here and there throughout the count.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Who Else?
Josh Kennedy
Western Bulldogs
His future at the Bulldogs might still be up in the air, but what is certain is that Josh Dunkley had a great season in 2022.
Playing through both the midfield and the forward line, Dunkley performed fantastically all year as the Bulldogs scraped into eighth place in a largely disappointing season for last season's Grand Finalists.
The 25-year-old averaged 25.4 disposals, 6.2 marks, 4.4 clearances and 6.1 tackles per game while also kicking 18 goals to finish with just under a goal per game.
While the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore and Bailey Smith will all claim votes of their own, Dunkley should poll reasonably well for the Bulldogs given his ability to win the ball, lay a tackle and hit the scoreboard.
Midfielder
Disposals
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Who Else?
