The AFL’s highly anticipated night of glamour, the Brownlow Medal, is set to kick off on Monday, with numerous top league stars gracing the red carpet.
Throughout most of the season, the Brownlow race has centered around two standout contenders, Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli. However, as history has shown, late twists and turns may yet unfold, with Zak Butters and Christian Petracca emerging as potential contenders, much like the surprises witnessed in the previous year.
The burning question on everyone’s mind is: Who will ultimately be crowned with the prestigious Charlie on this illustrious night in the AFL calendar?
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This race promises to be a thrilling rollercoaster, and it’s doubtful that there will be more than a three-vote margin separating Daicos from the Bont when all is said and done.
The complexity arises from Daicos missing the last six games due to injury. However, one must ponder whether he did enough in the preceding matches to secure the coveted Brownlow.
The star midfielder embarked on an impressive streak, notching six consecutive games with over 30 disposals at the start of the season. In addition to his remarkable ball-handling skills, he also registered five multi-goal games during this period.
On the other hand, Bontempelli commenced the season on a relatively quieter note but gained momentum around the midseason mark. His strong finish included back-to-back games with over 30 possessions and 10 tackles, undoubtedly impressive statistics.
Yet, despite these impressive figures, there are reservations about whether the Bont can claim all three votes in the closing-season victory in Geelong. Adam Treloar and Tom Liberatore both delivered outstanding performances, a trend observed in several earlier Bulldog games.
It’s worth noting that Collingwood boasts a roster filled with stars, which might have potentially siphoned off some votes that could have gone to Daicos. However, given the significant buzz surrounding this young talent in the first couple of months, it seems unlikely that he missed out on many votes.
Tip: Nick Daicos @ $2.90
