Sydney’s Josh Kennedy has rocketed in to $4 second favouritism at Sportingbet for the 2014 Brownlow Medal after Scott Pendlebury failed to poll a vote in Round 17, according to Sportingbet’s AFL analysts.

Only six of the top 20 contenders, including Pendlebury, failed to poll a vote in Round 17.

According to Sportingbet’s running Brownlow medal vote tally, Kennedy has moved to 19.5 votes for the season and 1 vote clear of Pendlebury on 18.5.

The injured Gary Ablett remains clear on 24.5 votes and four ahead of the ineligible Nathan Fyfe.

“We have Fyfe polling 12 votes over the last six weeks and there’s no question he would be the new Brownlow favourite if he was eligible,” Sportingbet’s Andrew Brown said.

“Of those left in contention, Kennedy has now hit the front according to our assessments and if he continues the strong form he showed against Carlton he’s going to be very tough to beat.”

2014 Brownlow Medal Winner

Sportingbet.com.au market

Scott Pendlebury $3.75 (was $3.25)

Josh Kennedy $4 (was $6.50)

Gary Ablett $6.50 (was $6)

Joel Selwood $10 (was $13)

Travis Boak $14 (was $15)

Trent Cotchin $15 (steady)

Brent Harvey $15 (was $21)

Aaron Sandilands $17 (steady)

Lance Franklin $17 (was $21)

Others $21+

See the table below for Sportingbet’s estimated Brownlow Medal vote tally.

Sportingbet’s analysts award half votes when they can’t split certain player performances, a system that has proven to balance out over the course of the season and provide a more accurate prediction of a player’s final vote numbers.

2014 Brownlow Medal

Votes according to Sportingbet’s AFL analysts. Odds from Sportingbet.com.au