We’re only a couple of months removed from the 2023 season, but we’re already looking into our crystal ball ahead of 2024.
One award that always creates plenty of chatter in the lead-up to any new campaign is the Brownlow Medal, the game’s most prestigious individual honour.
Lachie Neale claimed ‘Charlie’ in 2023 to become a two-time winner. The Brisbane Lions star and co-skipper finished ahead of Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli in second and young Collingwood gun Nick Daicos in third.
After coming so close in his second season and really only missing out on winning the medal due to injury, Daicos is the obvious pick to claim the award in 2024. Sportsbet have the Magpie a $5 favourite.
While Daicos, Bontempelli and the like are early frontrunners, we’ve tried to find you some value with players who are considered longshots.
All of these players have odds of more than $20 on Sportsbet, and we’ve explained why we think they’re a chance in 2024.
Check them out below.
Caleb Serong (Fremantle) - $26
The Fremantle gun popped in 2023 from a Brownlow perspective, polling 24 votes. His previous season-best was just 5 votes.
While he’s been a star for some time now, he clearly took the leap into the elite last season and entering 2024 aged 23, he still has plenty of growth left in him.
If Fremantle are even a little better and push for finals, who says Serong can’t push into the high 20s or early 30s in terms of votes?
Jordan De Goey (Collingwood) - $26
A player who’s always considered a chance, De Goey didn’t set the world alight in 2023 during the home and away season to finish with just 8 votes.
While he’s never picked up more than 12 votes in a campaign, his finals performance has again sucked us in as we see how high his ceiling can be when he’s on.
The Magpies will be up there, and if De Goey performs at his peak all season, he’s the exact type of player who will poll well. Could be hard against his vote-getting teammate Daicos, though.
Touk Miller (Gold Coast) - $34
Are these odds way overs?
Yes, Miller picked up just 3 votes in 2023 but that came in a year he played just 13 games due to a knee injury.
In 2022, Miller finished third on 27 votes, proving that he’s a favourite of the umpires when he’s up and running.
If he’s fully fit and the Suns improve as we expect, Miller is absolutely capable of a 30-vote or near-enough campaign.
Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide) - $34
The Port youngster shocked many when picking up 16 votes in 2023.
While he showed signs, Horne-Francis hasn’t nearly reached his potential … which makes his ability to draw votes even more impressive.
A contested ball-winner that’s all impact, Horne-Francis is a player who will draw the attention of the umpires for some time.
If his trajectory continues upward, he should easily pass last season’s efforts.
Jai Newcombe (Hawthorn) - $34
Again, another inside midfielder, Newcombe went to a new level in 2023.
After grabbing 11 votes in 2022, Newcombe collected 18 in 2023.
Entering 2024 still aged just 22, the bustling Hawk could easily see his trajectory continue in its upward direction.
25+ votes is well within his grasp.
Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne) - $41
Davies-Uniacke picked up 13 votes in 2023. But that came from just 14 games.
If he gets a full run at it, he could breeze past the 20-vote barrier.
A smokey, but again Davies-Uniacke is a player that wins clearances and contested possessions, stats that Brownlow winners are often elite in.
Matt Rowell (Gold Coast) - $81
A bit of a weird one, but Rowell picked up 12 votes in a campaign that many felt was lacklustre.
A player in the mould of Lachie Neale, Tom Mitchell and Matt Priddis, the inside midfielder does his best work front and centre of the umpires at the contest.
A real outsider in terms of his odds, but worth a look at, particularly if he pops as many expect.
What’s gambling really costing you? Set a deposit limit. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au