Melbourne forward Tom McDonald has backed teammate Max Gawn to take home this year’s Brownlow Medal.
Gawn has had a stellar season so far and currently leads the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year award on 71 votes, three ahead of Carlton star Patrick Cripps.
McDonald says leading the coaches’ votes should translate to the Dees ruckman being right in the mix to win the prestigious award.
“I think he (Gawn) should and he could (win the Brownlow),” he told SEN’s Time On.
“I think the coaches votes are actually the best indicator of the best player of the season.
“That’s probably the best indicator from the players’ point of view of who’s having the best season.
“Whether or not that reflects in the Brownlow voting, he’ll probably be up there, but I reckon the coaches’ votes don’t lie and that has him right at the top.
“He’s having a great year.”
The 26-year-old polled another 10 votes from the coaches after his best on ground display against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
Footscray’s Scott Wynd was the last ruckman to win the Brownlow Medal back in 1992.
Listen to Tom McDonald's chat on SEN's Time On with Sam McClure in the player below