Champion Data’s competitions analysis teams lead Daniel Hoyne has offered his predictions for the pointy end of the 2023 season, as well as the major awards.
See Champion Data’s choices for the 2023 premiers, runner up, Rising Star and Brownlow below.
Premiers: Melbourne
“Premier for me is Melbourne at the moment,” Hoyne began.
“That’s based off two words you hear constantly coming out of Melbourne. Defence and contest. Both are no.1, it’s a pretty hard team to crack.”
On a Qualifying Final between Melbourne and Collingwood, should it eventuate, Hoyne added: “I would be tipping Melbourne to beat Collingwood. I think Collingwood are a chance, so Magpies supporters please don’t forget about that.”
Runners up: Brisbane Lions
“For me, it is Brisbane who Melbourne will be playing in the Grand Final. Offensively, that is their point of difference, where they are in terms of where they’re going to start their finals campaign should they get the job done this week. And they are the no.1 turnover team in the competition and we know that historically, that stacks up with success.”
Rising Star: Mitch Owens
“Still Mitch Owens for me. He has been a bit quieter of late… it is a high-end talent (year) this year, Harry Sheezel is performing exceptionally well as well, Will Ashcroft has performed exceptionally well.
“But for what Owens has done this year and the role he has played, it’s quite exceptional. We talk a lot about contested possessions, there’s different ways you can win them.
“Between the arcs is key and in general play is key. He is the no.1 contested possessions player in the competition in that phase of the game ahead of only Christian Petracca, Zak Butters and Shai Bolton. And those three might be walk-up All-Australians this year.”
Brownlow: Nick Daicos/Zak Butters
“Two hats here. The Champion Data Brownlow system has Nick Daicos winning it on 28 votes at the moment… the system been pretty accurate in terms of a pretty strong guide for a three to top-five finish.
“We have Christian Petracca second at 27 votes, so just behind Nick Daicos.
“But for me, the one to watch is Zak Butters. I keep talking about how good this guy is. That 13-game period where they won 13 matches in a row, I think he’s going to poll a lot of votes.
“He’s now back into red-hot form as well… so I think he’s going to be a huge chance to challenge Daicos.”