Most Disposals | 2023 AFL Statistics

If disposals decided the Brownlow: The top 10 disposal-getters

Who would take the Brownlow in 2023?

Published by
Ryan Saxelby

It is undeniable that disposals act as the AFL world's leading statistic.

After all, if you don't have the ball, how are you meant to score?

To be a top player in the league, it seems you have to rack up as many as physically possible especially to chase the dream of having the Brownlow Medal around your neck.

As we countdown to the 2023 count, we look pondered what it would look like if disposals acted as votes.

Lachie Neale

Total disposals: 650

The 2020 Brownlow medallist is no stranger to collecting disposals, known for his ability around the contest to win the ball and create clearance opportunities through his teammates. Neale also saluted after leading the league in disposals in 2020, finishing with 511 for the season.

Brad Crouch

Total disposals: 651

Since moving from Adelaide, Crouch has been an integral part of St Kilda's build back to September. Like Neale, Crouch's style revolves around picking up clearances, more often opting to move the ball on by hand, with the former Crow producing 67 more handballs than kicks.

Tim Taranto

Total disposals: 662

Despite Richmond failing to reach September in 2023, first-year Tiger Tim Taranto has been a standout. Throughout most of the season, he has been recognised as a Brownlow Medal fancy, thanks to his efforts in the centre and ahead of the ball. Within the top 10 of this alternative count, Taranto leads in clearance but also has the lowest disposal efficiency in comparison to everyone else.

Andrew Brayshaw

Total disposals: 671

Acting alongside Caleb Serong in the centre, Brayshaw has proved his ability to get the ball and dispose of it tidily. Brayshaw finished with the fourth most amount of disposals last season and coincidentally finished fourth in the Brownlow medal race.

Tom Green

Total disposals: 674

Green has been a revelation for the Giants, quickly becoming a fan favourite in Sydney's West. The redheaded midfielder has put the league on notice, boasting 106 clearances this season as well as  92 inside 50s. Green's disposals usually result in first use for the Giant's forwards.

Caleb Serong

Total disposals: 675

Fremantle's future is bright with Serong, slowly becoming one of the biggest forces in the competition. Akin to Tom Green, Serong does his best work heading forward, with 17 per cent of his sidposals coming by way of inside 50s.

Stephen Coniglio

Total disposals: 682

The second Giant on the list and the spiritual leader of the club features in the top 5,  showing strong signs of freedom under Adam Kingsley's new leadership. Coniglio is one of two players on this list that has produced over 100 inside 50s and clearances this season. With the skillset of a ball-winner and attacking player, the former skipper could finish higher in this year's count than most are expecting.

Zak Butters

Total disposals: 687

Another one of the recognised Brownlow favourites for this year, and a crucial player for Port Adelaide has had a career-best season, Butters has taken to the midfield like a duck to water. Butters' skill by foot has been exceptional this season, producing one of the league's highest kicking efficiency at 61.8% and a disposal efficiency of 71.9%.

Jack Sinclair

Total disposals: 693

Sinclair has been Ross Lyon's right-hand man during the pair's first year together, with Sinclair leading from the front and inspiring the side back into finals. Whilst he hasn't finished spectacularly during previous Brownlow counts, this year could be different, thanks to his 77.5% efficiency.

Total disposals: 695

If the Brownlow was decided by disposals, then Demons star Christian Petracca would take the crown in 2023. The superstar's work with the ball in hand is unlike any other in the league, with his fearless attitude allows him to accumulate a lot of the ball, and score from anywhere.

Published by
Ryan Saxelby