Lachie Neale
After a dominant 2020 campaign, there is little surprise the Brisbane ball magnet is the short favourite for the Brownlow and picked to be the first player since Robert Harvey to go back-to-back.
Neale polled a staggering 31 votes in just 17 games for the year at a rate of 1.82 votes per game, an average greater than Dustin Martin’s votes record season of 2017 (1.64).
The Lions superstar collected close to 27 disposals in the league and ranked No.1 in the league for total possessions with 511.
While Neale’s numbers stack up as the worthy winner, his ability to pull his side over the line on multiple occasions in 2020 was just as vital in winning his maiden Brownlow Medal.
The Lions were placed 2nd at the conclusion of the home and away season off the back of one the most dominant seasons the competition has seen from one player.
Looking forward to next year, if Neale can amass a season even remotely close to what he put together in 2020, he’ll be crowned with the ‘Charlie’, no questions asked.
Christian Petracca
The Demons bull finished third in the 2020 count after a season that saw him reach a new level as one of the AFL’s most dominant midfielders.
Petracca polled 20 votes from 17 games in the blue and red after collecting 23.53 disposals per game and booting 15 goals when moving forward.
The 24-year-old is a proven game-winner and was a major factor in Melbourne’s close run to the top eight.
The Demons are primed to improve next season and plenty of that rise will be riding on the shoulders of Petracca in the middle of the ground.
If Melbourne can add a few more wins to their tally and end their 2021 campaign as a finals contender, then Petracca’s shout for the Brownlow Medal will be as strong as any other player in the league.
Patrick Cripps
The Blues skipper endured a relatively forgettable season in 2020, with his side extending their finals drought and their leader failing to have the same impact we know he has to offer.
Cripps polled 10 votes in an underwhelming season in the navy blue and will look to return to the form that saw him poll a total 46 votes in his two seasons prior. Grab yourself a betting sign up bonus and back Cripps for 2021 season.
With Carlton bolstering their midfield stocks with the addition of Zac Williams added to Sam Walsh’s back-half of the season, Cripps looks to have plenty of assistance for the 2021 season.
In a similar fashion to Christian Petracca and the Demons, with the Blues can add a few more wins to their campaign, Cripps will be well and truly in the hunt next year.
Marcus Bontempelli
‘The Bont’ was outshone by his partner in crime Jack Macrae this year, with the Bulldogs skipper polling 10 votes after a stellar second-half to his campaign, with Macrae sitting in the top five for 2020 with 15 votes to his name.
While the Bulldogs have added even more competition to their midfield with Adam Treloar moving to Whitten Oval, Bontempelli is nearing a season where he is set to explode on the scene.
The 24-year-old has thrived when surrounded by star talent and will only change to a new gear in 2021 as the Bulldogs eye off finals success for next season.
If the Bulldogs can press for the premiership in 2021, it will be off the back of their captain’s ability to dominant with poise, class and skill.
Nat Fyfe
The dual-Brownlow Medallist is a certainty to place on the podium once again if he is able to string together at least 20 games to his name.
The Dockers captain took out the honours in 2019 after another dominant season, wit injuries holding him back from being in contention for a third ‘Charlie’ in 2020.
Like may of the aforementioned contenders, add several more lengths of success to Fremantle’s season and a plethora of votes become available to the men in purple and none are better ay polling votes than Fyfe.
The 29-year-old is one of two players to average over one vote per game across their careers, with Fyfe running at 1.05 votes across his 176 eligible games, just ahead of Fitzroy legend Haydn Bunton.
10 votes from his 14 games in 2020 show Fyfe is well in the chase again for 2021 and could move into legendary territory with a potential third Brownlow Medal.
