Only one vote separates the top-three after Round 21 in what promises to be one of the tightest Brownlow Medal counts we’ve seen in a long time.
Brownlow Leaderboard
| Player | Votes | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1. P.Cripps (Carl) | 26.00 | $3.50 |
| 2. N.Daicos (Coll) | 25.50 | $6.00 |
| 3. L.Neale (BL) | 25.00 | $5.00 |
| 4. M.Bontempelli (WB) | 22.00 | $5.50 |
| 5. C.Serong (Fre) | 21.50 | $9.00 |
Best Bet
Despite Carlton going down to the Pies, I expect Cripps to be in the votes in their loss recording 30 disposals including a goal.
Cripps is just marginally in front of both Daicos and Neale now, but his record against the Hawks historically has been good, polling in four of the last five games between the two teams including two three-vote games in the last two meetings.
With this upcoming clash against Hawthorn carrying significant finals repercussions, I think the Blues’ Skipper goes big.
Lay
Not saying the Brisbane Lion isn’t a chance of winning his third Brownlow as we have him just one vote behind the leader in Cripps, but I think we’ll get a better price this time next week.
Lachie Neale is almost certain to receive the Toby Bedford tag when Brisbane host the Giants in Round 22, with Bedford potentially now the most effective run-with player in the competition.
If we see big games from those round Neale in the market next round, we could see him slip to the $7-8 mark.
Value Bet
Although the Dockers lost on the weekend, Andrew Brayshaw will feature in the votes in another big performance where he was ranked second for disposals with 33 touches, but the number-one player on the ground for contested possessions finishing with 16.
Brayshaw now moves into equal-tenth place with Errol Gulden on our leaderboard with 18 votes, and although it’s nearly impossible for him to win from here the outright price listed suggests he’s going to be great value when top-10 markets open in a few weeks time.
