Who is leading your club’s best and fairest at this late state of the season?
We have gone through all 18 teams to make a determination going into the final stretch of the year.
From first time winners to those adding to their resume, here are our thoughts on each side!
Outright leader
First-year captain Jordan Dawson is putting together some sort of season.
The 26-year-old was playing nicely off half-back earlier in the year but has flourished since his move into the midfield.
Dawson has been leading the way for the Crows superbly and has been the club’s most influential player this year.
His 62 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year votes show just how much of an impact he’s had for Adelaide in 2023.
In the mix
Rory Laird is a three-time Malcolm Blight Medallist which includes the last two best and fairest awards. He is an annual poller and will no doubt be in the mix again.
Veteran forward Taylor Walker has enjoyed a fruitful season with 50 goals to date, which has him second in the Coleman Medal race.
Prized recruit Izak Rankine has mixed his form in his debut campaign with the Crows, but his best games will poll, while Ben Keays, two-time winner Rory Sloane (2013 and 2016) and 2020 winner Reilly O’Brien have all been solid contributors.
Andrew Slevison
Outright leader
Lachie Neale has won three Merrett-Murray Medals and he could add a fourth in 2023.
While he hasn’t been as dominant as his 2020 or 2022 seasons, Neale is still playing superbly and currently sits fourth in the AFLCA Champion Player award on 70 votes.
He may not run away with the medal as he has previously, but Neale has probably done enough through 17 games to have his nose in front.
When the game gets more contested and fierce on the lead-in and during finals, expect Neale to potentially separate himself from the pack further.
In the mix
Neale’s co-captain Harris Andrews would have to be high up on the leaderboard and he’s every chance to claim a third All-Australian blazer in 2023.
Forward’s Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron have also been dominant and should feature in the top five, while recruit Josh Dunkley has made an immediate impact.
Lachlan Geleit
Outright leader
Many questioned the trade 12 months ago, but Adam Cerra winning Carlton’s best and fairest at 23 one season after the Blues gave up pick six for him highlights the move as a success for both parties.
Cerra has had a breakout season at Carlton in 2023 and has been their most consistent performer across a rollercoaster year.
He has averaged 26.6 disposals per game playing entirely on-ball and his form since Round 6 specifically has been unreal.
A strong finish to the season would likely cement Cerra the John Nicholls Medal.
In the mix
Charlie Curnow would have to be right in the mix given he is once again in the Coleman Medal hunt – he finished fourth last season.
Patrick Cripps and Jacob Weitering have played every game this season and while they’re down overall on 2022 output, they will poll well.
Sam Docherty has missed a few games, but has been right there with Cerra in terms of consistency this season. The same can be said for Nic Newman.
Nic Negrepontis
Outright leader
Nick Daicos could end this season with a raft of individual awards and at this stage you’d expect he’s leading the Copeland Trophy.
The young gun is the Brownlow favourite and is on 99 votes in the AFLCA Champion Player Award, already passing last year’s winners Clayton Oliver and Touk Miller who won it on 98.
Already the club’s best player as a half back from Rounds 1 to 13, Daicos has gone to another level since shifting into the midfield across the last month.
While there’s six weeks plus finals to go, you’d expect Daicos is already running away with the best and fairest and could just about have it won already.
One of the best individual seasons in recent memory.
In the mix
Darcy Moore should claim a top three spot as the captain has put together an All-Australian worthy season down back.
Josh Daicos and Jordan De Goey could be battling it out for a podium finish while Isaac Quaynor, Tom Mitchell and Brody Mihocek will be around the mark.
Lachlan Geleit
Outright leader
It’s hard to go past Zach Merrett, who hasn’t missed a beat since taking over the captaincy at the start of 2023.
The beauty with Merrett’s form this year is not only the fact he’s earning plenty of the footy, he’s become more damaging with ball in hand.
Merrett’s consistency is fantastic considering he’s been tagged on a number of occasions as opposition sides look to quell his influence.
The Crichton Medal looks his to lose from here.
In the mix
Nic Martin has emerged as one of the best wingers in the AFL this year and will be well in the frame to take out the award.
Jordan Ridley, Kyle Langford, Mason Redman and Darcy Parish should also feature strongly.
Laurence Rosen
Outright leader
Despite a difficult year for the Dockers, Caleb Serong has still picked up 33 AFL Coaches Votes this year, leading the way for Freo and sitting amongst the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Chad Warner and Connor Rozee.
Serong has averaged 30.6 disposals, 7.2 clearances, 5.8 inside 50s and 5.1 tackles this season and has outperformed Andrew Brayshaw on-ball generally across the season.
If you told Fremantle fans before the season that Serong would surpass reigning AFLPA MVP Brayshaw in 2023, you’d have probably assumed the midfield would be performing better than it has.
In the mix
Of course, Andrew Brayshaw is still in the mix and a strong final few weeks could get him ahead of Serong.
Luke Ryan has played every game this season and had a consistent impact, while Hayden Young has had a great season across half back.
Sean Darcy will likely miss too many games to be a factor, but don’t be surprised if Luke Jackson features in the top five.
Nic Negrepontis
Outright leader
Plenty of Cats have hit form at different times in 2023, but Tom Stewart has proved the most consistent of them all.
Stewart has missed just one game this year and is putting forward almost identical numbers to a blistering 2023 campaign.
The four-time All-Australian is one of the first magnets on Chris Scott’s whiteboard and habitually finds his way to be Geelong’s spare man. But he’s also exceptional in a contest and it's his consistency that has him leading the Cats’ best and fairest after Round 18.
In the mix
There’d be a whole host of Cats vying for second place behind Stewart. Captain Patrick Dangerfield was flying to start the year before doing a calf and has impressed in recent games.
Tom Hawkins is back to his best after a slow start to the season and sits 3rd in the Coleman Race medal race, while Jeremy Cameron’s season has proved the opposite. Both wouldn’t be far away.
Gryan Miers is also on track to break the league’s goal assist record in 2023. A valued figure at the Cattery, it’d be hard to rule him out of being in contention at this point of the season.
Seb Mottram
Outright leader
Noah Anderson has joined the competition’s elite in 2023.
Already a budding star, Anderson has seen his averages in disposals, goals, tackles and clearances increase from a very strong 2022 campaign.
Anderson sits equal-sixth in the AFLCA Champion Player award alongside Zach Merrett, which proves how much the coaches have rated his season so far.
A player that always seems to be improving, Anderson could win the Club Champion award quite easily.
In the mix
Intercept defender Charlie Ballard has had a career season while Anderson’s best mate Matt Rowell should feature prominently.
With Touk Miller spending a fair portion of the season injured, players like Jack Lukosius and Ben Ainsworth could also push for a podium finish.
Lachlan Geleit
Outright leader
Toby Greene has taken to the sole captaincy role at GWS like a duck to water.
He is so frequently the match-winner for the Giants with his freakish ability to kick crucial goals in the most outrageous ways.
Greene has booted 41 goals (equal fifth in the league) and is averaging 18.3 disposals, which is his best return since 2019 when he spent more time in the midfield.
The 2016 Kevin Sheedy Medallist looks set to become the third Giant to win two best and fairest awards with the club.
But there could be a little bit of competition…
In the mix
If the award doesn’t go to T.Greene, it might just go to T.Green.
Tom Green has fully broken out in 2023 after showing plenty in 2021 and 2022. He is averaging over 31 disposals and one of the club’s best contested possession and clearance players.
Former skipper Stephen Coniglio has been back to his best this year and is a massive chance of claiming his first best and fairest.
Two-time winner Josh Kelly has missed four games but will poll strongly, as he always does. Defender Jack Buckley has held down the fort in the absence of last year’s winner Sam Taylor and should be rewarded by the coaching staff.
Andrew Slevison
Outright leader
Will Day’s move to the midfield on a full-time basis has paid huge dividends and he has emerged as Hawthorn’s most consistent, creative and damaging midfielder. He is averaging 26.3 disposals a game, easily a career best.
Importantly, he has been among Hawthorn’s best in just about every game – even the heavy defeats that have riddled the season. He did miss two games through suspension, meaning a likely tight squeeze atop the leaderboard for the Peter Crimmins Medal.
In the mix
Fellow midfielders Jai Newcombe and James Worpel have enjoyed fine seasons and in Worpel’s case his form is approaching that of 2019 when he won the PCM.
James Sicily has missed four games through suspension and that might be all that’s preventing him from sitting atop the leaderboard.
Jarman Impey and Conor Nash are playing their best seasons in brown and gold, while Blake Hardwick is a proven vote-getter and hugely-valued again by the coaches.
Ash Browne
Outright leader
Melbourne’s best and fairest count could land up very an extremely tight affair, but Christian Petracca would have to be leading the count at this stage.
Petracca has excelled as a predominant midfielder for most of the year, but his move into the forward line has really turbocharged his season.
Having kicked eight goals in the last two matches, Petracca has asserted himself as one of the most dangerous players in the competition.
In the mix
Looking across the Dees, there’s plenty of other candidates for their best and fairest award.
Despite only playing 10 games this year through injury, Clayton Oliver will still poll well. As will the likes of midfield bull Jack Viney, ruckman Max Gawn and Angus Brayshaw.
Laurence Rosen
Outright leader
Could Harry Sheezel win North Melbourne’s best and fairest in his first season at the club? He has played all 17 games so far this season, comfortably leads the club for disposals and has been a shining light this year.
He has consistently delivered from Round 1 and impressed across half back and will clearly develop into an elite midfielder.
Whether Sheezel wins it or not, he will certainly be on the podium, capping off an incredible season.
In the mix
Nick Larkey would have to be right in the mix to win the club’s best and fairest, given he has kicked 21 more goals than the next best North player.
Former captain Jack Ziebell has played 17 games this season and leads the Roos across many stat categories. He has been a steady hand for the Kangaroos this season in defence across a tough season.
The likes of Bailey Scott, who has had a career-best season on the wing, Luke McDonald and Jaidyn Stephenson will also be in the mix.
Jy Simpkin, Cam Zurhaar (who is set to miss this week) and Luke Davies-Uniacke have probably missed too many games.
Nic Negrepontis
Outright leader
It was just a few weeks ago that Zak Butters was the Brownlow Medal favourite, so there’s no reason he shouldn’t be leading Port Adelaide’s count after Round 18.
The 22-year-old hasn’t missed a game this season and has made a major jump in disposals, marks, inside 50s and clearances in 2023.
He finished 7th in last year’s best and fairest and will rack up near maximum votes between Round 5 and Round 13 this year in a blistering patch of the season.
There’s little doubt he’ll be in front.
In the mix
Butters’ fellow on-baller Connor Rozee has taken another step forward in 2023 in terms of his consistency and would have polled in most of Port’s game this year.
He’s dropped below 23 touches just once since Round 8, while last year his dependability was questionable on occasion.
Dan Houston has proved one of the most in-form players of the competition in the last two months, while Jeremy Finlayson’s season has surpassed all expectations and could prove a bolter.
In a season where Port Adelaide’s defence has held up in the face of significant adversity, perhaps no player can lay claim to being as important as Aliir Aliir. The 28-year-old is back to his 2021 All-Australian form.
Seb Mottram
Outright leader
Tim Taranto is destined to win a maiden Jack Dyer Medal in his first year with Richmond.
The former Giants best and fairest winner has been colossal in the middle for his new club, averaging a career-high 30.9 disposals which comfortably leads the way for the Tigers.
Taranto also tops the charts for contested possessions, clearances and effective disposals, and has kicked the fourth most goals at the club with 14.
A first All-Australian blazer is also a possibility for the 25-year-old.
It’s going to be tough to take the best and fairest from Taranto’s grip but there are a few Tigers who could possibly do it.
In the mix
Shai Bolton is putting up better numbers than he did in his All-Australian season of 2022 which saw him finish equal fourth in the JDM.
Rebounding half-back Daniel Rioli, who finished second last year, has been just as consistent in 2023.
Superstar Dustin Martin is enjoying his best season since finishing second in 2020, Liam Baker has had another good campaign, while Noah Balta and Nick Vlastuin should both be around the mark.
Andrew Slevison
Outright leader
Jack Sinclair is an absolute moral to take out this year's Trevor Barker Award at the Saints.
Sinclair is no doubt an A Grader of the competition and that can’t be said for many St Kilda players.
In a year where the Saints have been incredibly inconsistent, Sinclair has stayed at the elite level for the whole year and that can’t be said of any St Kilda players.
The reigning Trevor Barker medallist has added the midfield string to his bow making him a coach's dream.
In the mix
The only other player that is in the mix to come even close to Sinclair is defender Callum Wilkie.
The former rookie has had another great year down back and he looks set to claim his first All-Australia blazer.
He’s ranked third in the competition for marks and if it weren’t for a little lapse in form after their dominant start, he’d be giving Sinclair a run for his money.
Outright leader
It’s been a difficult season for last season’s Grand Finalists with many players performing well below their best. However, one player who has more than enhanced their reputation in 2023 is 21-year-old Errol Gulden.
In just his third full season in the AFL, Gulden has become not only the best midfielder at the Swans but one of the best midfielders in the competition.
Gulden has had a number of best on ground performances and is predicted to be Sydney’s highest votes getter for the Brownlow medal according to afl.com.au.
Gulden is averaging career highs in disposals (25.8), goals (0.8), tackles (5.2), clearances (4), contested possessions (9.9) and 547 metres gained.
He was instrumental in close wins against North Melbourne, Carlton, the Western Bulldogs and had his way against the West Coast Eagles in Round 15 when the Swans cracked the double ton at the SCG.
Gulden has had a sensational year and should cap it off with a runaway Bob Skilton Medal.
Charles Goodsir
Outright leader
In a down year out west, Tim Kelly has quietly recaptured some of his best footy.
Kelly’s averages of 28.2 disposals, 5.2 tackles and 5.9 clearances area all career-highs as he’s stood up when a lot of his teammates haven’t.
The smooth mover will probably get the three votes in West Coast’s only win so far this season, with one goal and 32 disposals in the 100-81 Round 2 victory over GWS.
He’ll probably claim the John Worsfold Medal in pretty comfortable fashion.
In the mix
While Kelly looks to have the lead, Dom Sheed, Jamaine Jones, Oscar Allen and Tom Barrass all have claims to being on the podium.
You doubt there’ll be much to cheer about at the ceremony though.
Lachlan Geleit
Outright leader
Marcus Bontempelli has arguably been playing some of the best football of his career this season.
Dominant in the midfield, the Bont has won multiple games this season off the strength of his own boot, and currently sits as a decent Brownlow chance.
This is reflected quite clearly in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year voting, in which he currently sits fifth in the entire competition.
Bontempelli is every bit the superstar he is touted to be, and is on track to claim his fifth Charles Sutton Medal.
In the mix
Bontempelli is quite clearly in the lead, yet it should be expected that Tim English, Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar all receive some attention when it comes to the votes.
It would take a monumental effort to knock the Bont out of prime position.
Jack Makeham