The AFL's night of nights is nearly here as season 2024 comes to a close.
Sydney and Brisbane will battle it out for premiership glory, but to kick off the best week on the football calendar will be the Brownlow Medal count on Monday night.
Carlton's Patrick Cripps and Collingwood's Nick Daicos are expected to be amongst the top few when the votes are handed out, while Lions midfielder Lachie Neale is in contention for an astonishing third 'Charlie'.
Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is also in the mix, as is Essendon's Zach Merrett.
Isaac Heeney's year could end in premiership glory, but it won't end in securing the Brownlow medal, given his suspension.
We've put together each side's potential top five vote-getters for this season - predicated on the results of Zero Hanger's 2024 AFL MVP.
Across the course of this season, the Zero Hanger team - consisting of editor Mitch Keating, general manager Nick Splitter, deputy editor Aidan Cellini, and digital reporter Frank Seal - voted on every game to establish our AFL MVP for 2024.
Votes were given out on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system for each game, meaning the maximum score any player could record in any game was 20.
With this in mind, explore who's likely to poll the most Brownlow votes for your side on Monday night.
Adelaide
It wasn't the Crows' skippers' best season, but it was impressive, playing mostly midfield in 2024.
Like his club, he was disappointing at times but found ways to lift when the team needed it.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Izak Rankine
Ben Keays
Rory Laird
Darcy Fogarty
Brisbane
There's no doubt that Lachie Neale will top the Lions' count and could well be on his way to a staggering third medal.
He's a proven vote-getter, but there will be one thing that will be on his mind, and it isn't the Brownlow.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Hugh McCluggage
Josh Dunkley
Dayne Zorko
Joe Daniher
Carlton
The Carlton star did everything in his power to lift his club back into the finals, and to some degree, he did that successfully.
There were plenty of times in 2024 that Cripps put the Blues on his shoulders, which historically has seen umpires vote favourably.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Sam Walsh
Charlie Curnow
Tom De Koning
George Hewett
Collingwood
The Collingwood maestro was unlucky to miss out on last year's Brownlow medal, but his efforts this year are worthy once again.
His move into the midfield broke games and ultimately won many more for the Pies, which can be seen to improve his chances.
Fortunately, this year, there won't be many vote stealers on his side.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Darcy Cameron
Jack Crisp
Scott Pendlebury
Josh Daicos
Essendon
The Essendon captain put arguably his best season to date, becoming more damaging in the front half on top of his accumulation skills.
Merrett also proved to be a defensive menace as the club squandered a top-four position to miss out on September.
Who else?
Jye Caldwell
Sam Durham
Nic Martin
Kyle Langford
Fremantle
Serong's consistency was once again on the show, but they will rival teammates Hayden Young and Andrew Brayshaw for prime position.
He's worthy of a top-five finish but will likely be slightly off the pack of the leaders.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Andrew Brayshaw
Hayden Young
Josh Treacy
Jordan Clark
Geelong
The Cats star forward wasn't at his best but proved to be the difference to the preliminary final, which ended in heartbreak.
History says he will poll well, and Geelong won plenty of games, so he's likely to lead the club from down the highway.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
Who else?
Tom Stewart
Max Holmes
Gryan Miers
Patrick Dangerfield
Gold Coast
Another consistent season from Anderson, adding front-half damage to his repertoire.
The Suns midfielder continues to take steps toward stardom if he's not already there.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Matthew Rowell
Touk Miller
Sam Flanders
Mac Andrew
GWS
It could be rivalled by key forward and All-Australian Jesse Hogan, but Green's season rivals the best midfielders in the competition.
A contested and clearance beast which generally is seen favourably in the eyes of the umpires.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Jesse Hogan
Lachie Whitfield
Toby Greene
Brent Daniels
Hawthorn
A shock to think this guy was a mid-season recruit a few years ago and now is a star of the competition.
Newcombe has become a reliable midfielder, but All-Australian Dylan Moore
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Dylan Moore
James Sicily
James Worpel
Will Day
Melbourne
The champion ruckman secured his seventh All-Australian blazer and has a chance to finish in the top 10.
Following a disappointing year for the Demons, there'll be no one rivalling Gawn.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
Who else?
Christian Petracca
Jack Viney
Steven May
Trent Rivers
North Melbourne
This is a coin toss, with Harry Sheezel well in the mix to top the Kangaroos' count, as well as ruckman Tristan Xerri.
Davies-Uniacke did put together an impressive season and will be on notice, given his burst from stoppage and clearance prowess.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Harry Sheezel
Tristan Xerri
Jy Simpkin
George Wardlaw
Port Adelaide
Votes most courageous by his peers and is likely to lead his club in Brownlow votes.
Butters did just about everything for Port Adelaide in season 2024 and is a shot for a topo-10 finish.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Jason Horne-Francis
Ollie Wines
Connor Rozee
Willem Drew
Richmond
There is not much to like from Richmond's year, with no clear leader coming from the side that won two games.
Bolton is an early pick, but Liam Baker and Nick Vlastuin could reap some reward for effort.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Toby Nankervis
Nick Vlastuin
Tim Taranto
Liam Baker
St Kilda
Stiff to not make the All-Australian squad, but this Saint's ruck is on an upward trajectory.
Added forward craft to his list of improvements for the year but needs help going forward.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
Who else?
Jack Sinclair
Jack Steele
Callum Wilkie
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Sydney
Heeney is the easy pick, but it wouldn't shock most if Chad Warner or Errol Gulden came close to topping Sydney's count.
However, like Neale, there is bigger fish to fry.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Errol Gulden
Chad Warner
Brodie Grundy
Nick Blakey
West Coast
Returned to his usual combative best, Yeo was pivotal to West Coast despite only securing five wins.
All-Australian Jake Waterman could be in contention, while wunderkind Harley Reid's name will be mentioned.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
Jake Waterman
Tim Kelly
Harley Reid
Jeremy McGovern
Western Bulldogs
He's come agonisingly close on multiple occasions, but 2024 did seem like his year.
Adding goals to his incredible midfield work, Bontempelli is almost a sure thing to top the Dog's count and potentially the evening's.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Who else?
