SEN host Dwayne Russell believes Dustin Martin should be the 2022 Brownlow favourite, while also giving Essendon every chance to win the premiership.
Martin missed the last five games of the season after suffering a ruptured kidney in Round 18 and is reportedly working towards full fitness.
Despite the 30-year-old shedding weight over the off-season, Russell believes he should be shorter in the odds for the coveted award.
“Well, I think the bookies have got it wrong with Dustin Martin eighth in Brownlow betting, I’d be shovelling him right up the order,” he told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“In fact, I’d be putting him number one, I’d be putting him ahead of Ollie Wines, I’d be putting him ahead of Darcy Parish, Jack Steele and Lachie Neale, who are currently ahead of him.”
Meanwhile, the Bombers easily exceeded expectations in 2021 to finish eighth.
Despite being belted by the Western Bulldogs in their elimination final, the club’s young list under coach Ben Rutten will result in increased expectations for 2022.
While there are more fancied teams for next year’s premiership, Russell “can’t believe” the Bombers aren’t in the conversation.
“How (else) would I change up the bookies’ odds as they stand right now?” he continued.
“I think Essendon are a chance to finish top four, I can’t believe they’re 20/1 (for the premiership).
“They’re ninth in the betting, I’d be shuffling them right up the order.
“I think Essendon are as good a chance to win the flag as Geelong, who are 10/1, Richmond, Sydney and the Giants, who the bookies reckon will all make the eight.”
The 2022 AFL season is scheduled to get underway in mid-March.