2022 treated us to one of the closest and unexpected Brownlow counts in recent times, with the winner still unknown when Gil McLachlan started the count for Round 23's votes. However, a best-on-ground performance in the final weekend against Collingwood saw Patrick Cripps narrowly win by a singular vote over Lachie Neale.
This year's Brownlow night is looming to be even more interesting than last year's.
Nick Daicos was the clear favourite to win the Brownlow Medal coming into Round 21, having played the most tantalising season out of all the contenders. However, a knee injury sustained against Hawthorn is expected to keep him out until halfway through September, leaving the door wide open for other contenders.
With three games to play out for the season, the race is on to see if Daicos holds on to his lead or if another player can catch up. Marcus Bontempelli and Christian Petracca both loom as the biggest threats to Daicos currently, but gaps in their performances, as well as other teammates anticipated to earn votes, may jeopardise their chances.
According to our MVP leaderboard, there are nine players who will poll heavily on Brownlow night.
We assess how Daicos, Botempelli and Petracca could fare come the AFL's 'night of nights' and which dark horses could still be in the running.
8. Zak Butters
Butters was originally the biggest threat to Daicos' Brownlow chances, yet four straight losses to the Power have seen him fall significantly out of the equation. It seems unlikely that Butters will poll after the bye, albeit for his performance against Geelong last weekend. In a tough game for the Power, Butters had 30 disposals, eight marks, six tackles and a goal, which should see him earn at least a vote.
Butters will poll heavily throughout the middle of the season, which is also indicative of Port Adelaide's 13-game win streak in which Butters was a key part in maintaining the run.
