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.
9. Toby Greene
There's no discounting Greene from the Brownlow race this year, with a clean record and arguably a career-best campaign having the Giants skipper in consideration with three rounds to go.
Much like Dawson, Neale, Butters and Gulden, Greene will enter as an outsider, but with the Giants' club-record seven-game winning run, coupled with his string of standout performances, the veteran forward will remain a chance.
A slow start to the year could hamper his chances, as will defender Sam Taylor's form as one of the premier players in the competition, however recognition from the umpires remains unseen, with the GWS star earning just one Brownlow vote in his 88-game career.
The likes of Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Tom Green will also be in the mix to steal votes from Greene at some stage this season, however only Coniglio has played more than 16 games this season.
