AFL Editorial and Opinion

The SIX leading contenders for the Brownlow 2024

Are these the six leaders in the race for the 2024 Brownlow Medal?

Published by
Amy Bonthorne

The 2024 AFL season is just around the corner, and all eyes will be on players who will dominate the competition this year.

Arguably, not much will change from last year, with most keen to see Nick Daicos and what he can produce this year after an exceptional start to his AFL career.

However, AFL fans will also be closely looking at players around him challenging him for what is notably the highest individual accolade in the league: the Brownlow Medal.

Below we have made a list of six players who are predicted to be leading contenders in the race for Brownlow honours this season.

Nick Daicos

Collingwood's young gun Nick Daicos finished third in the 2023 Brownlow in only his second season. And if he didn't miss the last three games of the home and away season due to a hairline fracture, the son-of-a-gun would have remained odds on to take home 'Charlie'.

After an elite 2023 season, one that ended with a premiership medallion around his neck, Daicso average 31 disposals, 16.2 kicks and 14.8 handballs per game. In 2024, it's expected that Daicos will sustain such form, only continuing to dominate which will see his game go to another level.

Now that he has two seasons under his belt, and knows how to deal with the demands of the AFL, if he remains fit, Daicos will be a strong favourite to win the 2024 Brownlow.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Nick Daicos of the Magpies gathers the ball during the round six AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 25, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Marcus Bontempelli

The Top Dog was unlucky to not win his first Brownlow last season, falling agonisingly short by two votes and finishing as runner-up for a second time in his already decorated career.

The Western Bulldogs captain had another stand-out 2023 season, averaging 27.7 disposals, 7.5 tackles, 5.7 inside-50s, and 7.6 clearances per game.

Bomtempelli will again go into the 2024 season as a Brownlow favourite, but he will have to edge out the league's many young guns and, perhaps, hope to have the gods on his side this year in the final votes.

Marcus Bomtempelli during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Zak Butters

Zak Butters took his game to a new level in 2023, elevating his status to position himself as one of the best players in the competition at the moment.

The Port midfielder's breakout year was capped off with an equal fourth in the Brownlow and his first John Cahill Medal as Port Adelaide's best and fairest.

He managed to average 27.5 disposals, 5 marks, 4.4 clearances, and 14.4 kicks per game, sending a strong message to the competition about what he is capable of.

It's anticipated Butter will be one of the players to watch in the 2024 season and will be right up there contending again for the Brownlow this year.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Zak Butters of Power celebrates kicking a goal during the round four AFL match between Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide Power at Sydney Cricket Ground, on April 08, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Errol Gulden

In his third season, Errol Gulden had a stand-out year and was a late contender in the 2023 Brownlow, flying home with votes to finish equal fourth in the final count.

The New South Welshman averaged 26.8 disposals and 19.3 kicks in 2023, and while he had a slower start to the season, his backend of the year was first-class.

If Gulden can start the 2024 season strong and finish the way he did last year, he will be a real threat as a contender for the Brownlow.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Errol Gulden of the Swans in action during the round 16 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Geelong Cats at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Christian Petracca

Christian Petracca's 2023 season was again impressive, with the Demons gun averaging 27.8 disposals per game and ranking first in the league for score involvements per game.

The 2021 Norm Smith medallist was a leading contender for the 2023 Brownlow, however, a late fade across the final four rounds of the home and away season cost him valuable votes and ultimately saw him miss out on winning the Brownlow.

Petracca will again be a contender for the 2024 Brownlow and if he can have another strong season, the midfielder with goalkicking abilities will no doubt feature at the business end again.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Christian Petracca of the Demons kicks for goal during the round three AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 02, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

 

Lachie Neale

It may have been a shock to some when Lachie Neale won the 2023 Brownlow after flying under many radars, however, his consistent work ethic and elite intensity around the stoppage proved enough to set him apart from the chasing pack.

With his Lions also a red-hot premiership threat, Neale will be looking to have another excellent season and will be pushing to join Hayden Bunton Senior, Dick Reynolds, Bob Skilton and Ian Stewart as just the fifth triple Brownlow medalist in the game's history.

It won't be easy, however, as the veteran will no doubt be pressed some of the best new young talent in the competition.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Lachie Neale of the Lions in action during the 2023 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Published by
Amy Bonthorne