Western Bulldogs

Best chance: Luke Dahlhaus
The 23-year-old has taken his game to another level in 2015, playing every game and averaging 25 possessions and five tackles. Wins the hard ball in close and is just as dangerous on the outside, with Champion Data ranking Dahlhaus as one of the best midfielder/forwards in the competition. Didn't poll a vote last season despite having a good year, but he did earn seven in 2013.

Fast starter: Matthew Boyd
The veteran hit the ground running in his new role across half-back with the 33-year-old prominent in his first four games of the season. Proven vote winner. 

One-vote wonder: Will Minson
Out of favour for much of the season, the 30-year-old was recalled for the round nine clash with GWS. Minson had the better of Shane Mumford in the ruck and snuck forward to kick two goals.

Total votes
The Dogs' spectacular brand of footy is sure to catch the umpires' attention. Our predictor sees them on track for 75 votes, a marked improvement on the 50 votes they earned in 2014. – Ryan Davidson

Leading Crownbet chance: Jack Macrae, Matthew Boyd, Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Dahlhaus, Robert Murphy, Mitch Wallis, Jake Stringer - all $501

 

 Adelaide

Best chance: Patrick Dangerfield
The League's most explosive midfielder dominated on the inside this year, finishing third in the AFL for average contested possessions. He won the vast majority of his possession right in the middle of the ground too, and was also third in the League for inside 50s. He has polled at least 20 votes in each of the past three seasons and, considering he's averaged more possessions and tackles than ever before, he should be right up there again next Monday night.

Fast starter: Rory Sloane
The club's workhorse played crucial roles in its opening three rounds, resulting in three straight wins. He averaged 29 disposals and more than six tackles and could poll in each.

One-vote wonder: Rory Laird
He won plenty of the ball and disposed of it cleanly and the much-improved Laird should go close to claiming the club's best and fairest. But don't be surprised if he fails to attract much attention from the umpires.

Total votes
We expect the Crows to total 74 votes this season according to the Brownlow predictor, which should be similar to other sides that finished in the bottom half of the top eight. - Harry Thring

Leading Crownbet chance: Patrick Dangerfield, $7. 

"Brisbane

Best chance: Dayne Beams
He missed the last six games with a shoulder injury, but Beams was brilliant. His team's lack of wins won't help him, but the inside midfielder averaged 28 disposals – 13 contested – and was always under the umpires' noses. He's polled well previously, finishing in the top 10 twice in the past three years, and with ruckman Stefan Martin ineligible after a two-match suspension, expect Beams to lead the Lions' charge.

Fast starter: Dayne Beams
The former Magpie was quick out of the blocks, racking up 35 disposals in an early loss to Richmond and being instrumental in the round six and seven victories over Carlton and Port Adelaide respectively.

One-vote wonder: Dan McStay
The second-year key position player had a tough season, often being left alone as the main target forward. But his four goals against Carlton in round six could snare him a vote.

Total votes
When you dodge the wooden spoon with a final-round win, it's unlikely you'll get many votes, and that's the case with the Lions. Martin and Beams should do well, but aside from the four victories, don't expect much else. - Michael Whiting

Leading Crownbet chance: Tom Rockliff, $501

• Who's leading your club's count? Check out AFL.com.au's Brownlow predictor

Carlton

Best chance: Marc Murphy
Murphy finished runner-up to Patrick Cripps in the club best and fairest by just one vote. Despite being constantly tagged and carrying a heavy workload, the skipper flourished in the midfield and was a key player in three of the Blues' four victories. His best performance in the Brownlow was in his All Australian season of 2011 when he polled 19 votes. Last season he was the Blues' equal top vote-getter with nine votes to bring his career tally to 82.

Fast starter: Marc Murphy
Could poll against Essendon in round three (30 disposals) and should pick up three votes the following round against St Kilda, when the Blues scored their only win in the opening 10 games.

One-vote wonder: Matthew Kreuzer
The ruckman came back after a long absence and improved as the season progressed. His best performance was against Melbourne in round 21 and he should poll votes in that game.

Total votes
Carlton found wins hard to come by and its terrible season should be reflected in the voting. AFL.com.au's Brownlow predictor has the Blues polling 28 votes, the lowest total of any club. - Howard Kotton 

Leading Crownbet chance: Marc Murphy, $251

Collingwood

Best chance: Scott Pendlebury
The Pies skipper has won virtually everything in the game except a Brownlow Medal, and the status quo will remain after Pendlebury was solid rather than dominant in one of his most challenging seasons as he battled a hip problem that limited his midfield time and overall effectiveness. The vote tallies of teammates Dane Swan and Taylor Adams could also reach the teens with 2011 winner Swan injury-free and back to his best, while Adams blossomed as an inside midfielder.

Fast starter: Pendlebury
When the Pies were building momentum in the first half of the year, their captain was the driving force. Our Brownlow predictor has him polling in four successive games from rounds two to five.

One-vote wonder: Adam Oxley
The former rookie came of age this season as a sweeping defender and was near best-afield in the round 10 win over Melbourne when he amassed 30 disposals and 14 marks, including several intercepts, in a critical loose-man role.

Total votes
The Pies won just two of their last 11 games, so the bulk of their predicted 65 votes should come in the first half of the season when they were on track for a finals berth. - Ben Collins 

Leading Crownbet chance: Scott Pendlebury, $41

Essendon

Best chance: Michael Hurley
The star key defender hasn't been a big Brownlow Medal vote getter in recent years (his best haul was six in 2011), but it shouldn't take too many votes to be Essendon's leader after their poor season. Hurley is a damaging, match-winning tall backman who rebounds well, takes marks and can overpower some of the game's best forwards.

Fast starter: Cale Hooker
The club's best and fairest winner should claim the three votes in round two for his brilliant display against the Hawks in Essendon's thrilling early-season win. He might also claim a few more in the first half of the year before Essendon's form fell away completely.

One-vote wonder: Travis Colyer
A serious foot injury ruined the second half of Travis Colyer's season, but before that he was in some quality form that should catch the umpires' eye. Watch for him to poll a vote or two round two against Hawthorn.

Total votes
According to the AFL.com.au Brownlow predictor, it shapes as a pretty dreary night for the Essendon table. The Bombers have polled just 38 votes across the year according to AFL.com.au's reporters, reflective of their horror season. - Callum Twomey

Leading Crownbet chance: Brendon Goddard, $251

Fremantle

Best chance: Nat Fyfe 
Rightly the raging favourite despite missing four games, the star Docker is likely to have his final tally in the bank by round 17. From there he'll have to hang on. A proven vote-winner, he had 25 votes last year and has 75 from 92 home-and-away matches (before 2015). The 24-year-old's biggest hurdle this year was going to be the Match Review Panel, but he escaped suspension.

Fast starter: Nat Fyfe
The star midfielder's start is the reason why he should win the Brownlow Medal. He could be awarded with three votes in seven of the first nine matches, in which he averaged 32 possessions and kicked two Goal of the Year contenders.

One-vote wonder: Clancee Pearce
It's hard to win votes when you're playing accountable roles, but Pearce could be rewarded for his 31-possession game against Melbourne in round five. That will likely be it.

Total votes
Twelve players are expected to poll, according to the AFL.com.au Brownlow Predictor, for a total of 94 votes. Fyfe should contribute almost a third of those, but midfielders David Mundy and Lachie Neale will also be prominent. - Nathan Schmook 

Leading Crownbet chance: Nat Fyfe, $2

All eyes will be on Nat Fyfe during the Brownlow Medal count. Picture: AFL Media




Geelong

Best chance: Steven Motlop
With Joel Selwood ineligible for the award, Motlop's strong back half of the season is likely to see him poll the most votes for Geelong. Motlop began the year full of running and was the Cats' best in the club's round one loss to Hawthorn. But a club-imposed suspension in round two seemed to halt his momentum. He hit peak form later in the year where his pace stood out.

Fast starter: Joel Selwood
There's not a clear-cut candidate in this category after the Cats suffered two heavy losses to Hawthorn and Fremantle. According to the predictor, the first Geelong player to poll a vote will be Selwood in round three.

One-vote wonder: Josh Walker
Walker played the best game of his career against the Brisbane Lions in round 18, booting a personal best five goals. He will surely receive some love from the umpires.

Total votes
With so many key players down on form compared to previous years, Geelong is unlikely to poll a heap of votes as a team. The predictor has Geelong polling 65 votes. – Ben Guthrie

Leading Crownbet chance: Harry Taylor, Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy, Steven Motlop, Cameron Guthrie - all $1001

Gold Coast

Best chance: Tom Lynch
Won the club's best and fairest and got better as the season wore on. The whole-hearted centre half-forward took the most contested marks in the competition (51) and kicked 43 goals. Hasn't had a great voting history and with only four wins and a draw to fall back on, might not rack up a huge tally, but Lynch's exploits should be recognised by the umpires. Impressive young defender Kade Kolodjashnij could challenge Lynch for the mantle as leading Suns vote-getter.

Fast starter: Michael Rischitelli
The stand-in skipper for much of the year almost single-handedly held the Suns midfield together for much of the season. Averaged 29 disposals and a goal through the first four weeks and could sneak some votes despite the losses.

One-vote wonder: Adam Saad
Came from virtual obscurity to win a spot for round one and did not disappoint. The explosive Saad won a Rising Star nomination for his round five performance against the Brisbane Lions and could also cash in with a Brownlow Medal vote.

Total votes
Gold Coast won just four-and-a-half games, but was super competitive late in the year. The Suns relied more on even team performances than standout individuals and will likely pick up a number of minor votes. Don't expect a big swag though. - Michael Whiting

Leading Crownbet chance: Harley Bennell, Tom Lynch - both $1001

GWS

Best chance: Callan Ward
The tough midfielder was a consistent performer for the Giants and was at his best during the first half of the year when they won seven of the opening 10 games. Ward led the side for contested possessions and his courage and attack on the ball set the tone for his less experienced teammates. Finished 2015 with another top three finish in the best and fairest.

Fast starter: Dylan Shiel
Our Brownlow tracker has the silky midfielder polling in five of the first eight games. Shiel will poll well but only played 14 games due to a knee injury.

One-vote wonder: Cam McCarthy
Kicked 35 goals for the year and might snag a vote for his bag of five in round four against Gold Coast, when both he and the club were flying.

Total votes
According to our Brownlow predictor, the Giants should poll around 60 votes in 2015. - Adam Curley

Leading Crownbet chance: Callan Ward, $201

Hawthorn

Best chance: Sam Mitchell
Umpires love the star on-baller's work, with the 32-year-old polling the ninth-most votes (178) in Brownlow Medal history. And Mitchell has had another stellar campaign. The 32-year-old racked up the sixth-most possessions in the competition during the home-and-away season and collected at least 30 touches in 12 games. He only missed two matches, is a two-time runner-up in the award and looms as a genuine contender this year.

Fast starter: Jordan Lewis
The ball magnet picked up where he left off from a career-best 2014 season by notching a sequence of 35, 34, 41 and 36 touches in the opening month. Lewis is ineligible for the award due to suspension.

One-vote wonder: Will Langford
Injury and consistency issues plagued the emerging youngster this year, but he could sneak a vote for his 26-diposal, two-goal display in a routine round eight belting of Melbourne.

Total votes
AFL.com.au's Brownlow Medal predictor has the Hawks polling 95 votes, and after winning 16 games – many in dominant style during the middle part of the year – the reigning premiers could poll the most votes of any side. - Travis King

Leading Crownbet chance: Sam Mitchell, $10

Sam Mitchell will likely lead the Hawks' charge this season. Picture: AFL Media

Melbourne

Best chance: Bernie Vince
Vince began tagging in round three when he broke square with Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield. It kick-started a consistent run of form that culminated with a purple patch between rounds 10 to 18 when he gained 30 plus possessions in five out of eight games. He was close to best on the ground against Geelong and in round 18 against Collingwood, won Melbourne's best and fairest and normally polls votes.    

Fast starter: Nathan Jones
Was at his best early in the season before the battles with a neck problem began to impact on his consistency. He has polled 33 votes in the past three seasons and should get off to a flyer polling votes in Melbourne's two wins in the first four games. 

One-vote wonder: Max Gawn
Almost a certainty to poll his first vote for his game against Geelong in round 12 after a dominant performance in the ruck. He could be best on ground but more likely a one- or two-voter as he set the standard for what he could achieve. 

Total votes
A slightly improved season gives the Demons a chance to poll close to 50 votes collectively with Jones, Vince, Hogan, Gawn, Angus Brayshaw and Tom McDonald all having good moments in the club's seven wins. - Peter Ryan 

Leading Crownbet chance: Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince - both $251

• A short history of the Brownlow Medal

North Melbourne

Best chance: Todd Goldstein
The 27-year-old has been the AFL's premier ruckman this season. Goldstein's tap work has long been outstanding and he broke Gary Dempsey's 35-year-old VFL/AFL record for hit-outs this year, winning 1017 at an average 44.2 a game. But in 2015 the big Roo has also consistently influenced games around the ground, averaging a career-high 14.8 possessions and 1.3 contested marks a game. Goldstein has not been a prolific vote-getter in past counts, but that should change this year with the Brownlow predictor tipping him to finish equal third on 21 votes.

Fast starter: Todd Goldstein
The ruckman is a strong chance to pole the maximum three votes in North's wins over the Brisbane Lions in round two and Geelong in round four, while the Brownlow predictor has him polling in another three games before the Roos' round 13 bye.

One-vote wonder: Lindsay Thomas
The small forward has had an up-and-down season but is a good chance to poll in North's round six win over Richmond, when he kicked a game-high five goals straight from his 13 disposals.

Total votes 
The Roos' inconsistent first half of the season, which included heavy losses to Adelaide, Hawthorn, Fremantle and Gold Coast, will likely hurt the club's overall vote count. Where the Brownlow predictor tips Fremantle, West Coast and Hawthorn to poll in the 90s, it has North getting 73 votes. - Nick Bowen

Leading Crownbet chance: Todd Goldsten, $14

Port Adelaide

Best chance: Robbie Gray
After bursting into the 'elite' category last year Gray would have started season 2015 well and truly on the umpires' radar. A disappointing season for the Power will likely hurt his chances of polling near the top of the leaderboard, although his numbers stack up with the best. Gray was second for goal assists and sixth for average contested possessions and clearances. He'll likely go head-to-head with Chad Wingard at the club's best and fairest in early December.

Fast starter: Brad Ebert
He's only tipped to poll on three occasions, but two of those come in the opening three rounds. Ebert was the dominant player in round one and again in round three.

One-vote wonder: Brendon Ah Chee
Still hasn't played a lot of senior footy, but his 23-possession, three-goal effort tin round 20 will be hard to overlook.

Total votes
A thoroughly disappointing season saw many players struggle for consistency this year, which will likely see most poll poorly. Robbie Gray was brilliant through the midfield, which is where top votes are found; we expect Port to collect 70 votes. - Harry Thring

Leading Crownbet chance: Robbie Gray, $51

Robbie Gray produced an outstanding season for the Power. Picture: AFL Media



Richmond

Best chance: Trent Cotchin 
The Tigers' captain has proven he can poll, with 83 career Brownlow votes, including 18 last season and 26 in 2012, which saw him finish equal second. He led the team to the finals for the third straight year and improved on his inside game, with an average of more than 12 contested possessions across his 22 games. He had some big performances, with the wins over the Brisbane Lions, Collingwood and North Melbourne standing out. 

Fast starter: Jack Riewoldt/Anthony Miles
Cotchin and Dustin Martin will bob up early but Riewoldt and Miles could also figure. The Tigers only won two games from the first six rounds but Riewoldt kicked 16 goals and Miles won 36 clearances in that time.

One-vote wonder: Ivan Maric
With the Tigers' ball winners to collect most of the votes, including the ineligible Brett Deledio, Maric could pick up a single in round 18 for his dominating performance against Hawthorn.

Total votes
Deledio, Cotchin, Martin and Riewoldt will fly the flag for the Tigers with our predictor estimating a decent total of 88 votes across the board after their 15-win season. - Jennifer Phelan

Leading Crownbet chance: Dustin Martin, $51

St Kilda

Best chance: David Armitage
Unlucky to miss selection in the All Australian squad, Armitage averaged 28 possessions and racked up a season-high 45 against the Western Bulldogs in round six. Benefiting from a clean bill of health, the hardnosed midfielder is expected to poll 17 votes, beating his previous season high of nine in 2012. With 21 votes from 104 home-and-away games (before 2015), Armitage hasn't been a big vote-winner, but he was a new player in 2015.

Fast starter: Josh Bruce
It takes a lot for a key forward to break into the votes, but Bruce's bags of six and five goals in the first five rounds should either get him six or five votes in that period.  

One-vote wonder: Sam Gilbert
Only working with a window of 11 games, Gilbert's opportunity will come in the round 21 draw against Geelong. The versatile tall racked up 21 possessions and kicked two goals.

Total votes
Six wins for the season was an improvement for the Saints, but it will likely keep them to around 51 votes, according to the AFL.com.au Brownlow Predictor. There could be up to nine games where a Saints earns the three votes. - Nathan Schmook 

Leading Crownbet chance: David Armitage, $101

Sydney Swans

Best chance: Josh Kennedy
Led the league for contested possessions and clearances and had a career-high 731 touches this season. Kennedy will roar home and had an extraordinary 10 straight 30+-possession games to finish the regular season, and also kicked 15 goals. He polled 21 votes last year and should eclipse that mark after such a consistent season.

Fast starter: Dan Hannebery
Our Brownlow predictor has Hannebery polling in three of his first five games and could grab consistent votes all season after finishing the year as the league's leading disposal winner.

One-vote wonder: Isaac Heeney
The rising star nominee had his season ruined by a knee injury, but our predictor has him polling a vote for his 21 possessions and four goals in the Swans' round 22 win over St Kilda.

Total votes
Our predictor has the swans polling around 80 votes. - Adam Curley

Leading Crownbet chance: Dan Hannebery, $11

Who will finish higher in the count out of Josh Kennedy and Dan Hannebery? Picture: AFL Media



West Coast

Best chance: Matt Priddis
Last year's Brownlow winner is sure to be in contention again this season, having arguably enjoyed a better year in 2015. Priddis averaged 30 disposals (half of them contested) and 7.7 clearances per game, up from the 28.5 and 6.7 he averaged in 2014. The star midfielder will have plenty of competition this season, with Andrew Gaff, Josh Kennedy and Nic Naitanui all enjoying fine seasons.

Fast starter: Josh Kennedy
The West Coast spearhead kicked a bag of 10 goals in round two against Carlton, six majors against Greater Western Sydney in round five and six against Geelong in round nine.

One-vote wonder: Shannon Hurn
The West Coast captain has polled 13 Brownlow votes in his career, and with so many talented teammates around him he may find it difficult to catch the umpires' attention this season.

Total votes
A second-place finish on the ladder and strong individual performances throughout the season is a good recipe for polling a lot of votes. According to the predictor, West Coast is set to poll 93 votes. – Ben Guthrie

Leading Crownbet chance: Matt Priddis, $4.50