Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield and Richmond’s Dustin Martin are seen to be the clear-cut top chances to take home the AFL’s most prestigious individual award this season.
Both have enjoyed outstanding seasons in successful teams and have been strongly supported by punters with Dangerfield currently a $1.80 chance to win back-to-back Brownlows according to Sportsbet, while Martin is $2.50.
After 17 rounds, Inside Football’s Brownlow computer has the pair tied atop the leaderboard with 23 votes apiece.
But the gap to the chasing pack isn’t as vast as some are led to believe.
Despite a few quiet weeks earlier in the season – and some niggling injuries – Gold Coast champion Gary Ablett ($21) is nipping at their heels on 20 votes, while a white-hot Tom Mitchell ($11) sits a further vote back on 19.
Greater Western Sydney Josh Kelly ($15) has dropped off the pace to sit alongside Essendon ball magnet Zach Merrett ($18) on 16.
Inside Football Brownlow Leaderboard (after Round 17)
| Player | Club | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick DANGERFIELD | Geelong | 23 |
| Dustin MARTIN | Richmond | 23 |
| Gary ABLETT | Gold Coast | 20 |
| Tom MITCHELL | Hawthorn | 19 |
| Josh KELLY | GWS Giants | 16 |
| Zach MERRETT | Essendon | 16 |
| Josh KENNEDY | Sydney | 15 |
| Ben CUNNINGTON | North Melbourne | 14 |
| Joel SELWOOD | Geelong | 14 |
| Marcus BONTEMPELLI | Western Bull-dogs | 13 |
| Scott PENDLEBURY | Collingwood | 13 |
| Ollie WINES | Port Adelaide | 12 |
| Dayne ZORKO | Brisbane | 12 |
| Lance FRANKLIN | Sydney | 11 |
| Robbie GRAY | Port Adelaide | 11 |
| Jack STEVEN | St Kilda | 11 |
| Adam TRELOAR | Collingwood | 11 |
| Taylor WALKER | Adelaide | 11 |
| Michael WALTERS | Fremantle | 11 |
| Matt CROUCH | Adelaide | 10 |
| Nat FYFE | Fremantle | 10 |
| Bryce GIBBS | Carlton | 10 |
| Lachie NEALE | Fremantle | 10 |
| Clayton OLIVER | Melbourne | 10 |
| Dylan SHIEL | GWS Giants | 10 |
| Chad WINGARD | Port Adelaide | 10 |