AFL 2022 Brownlow Medal Winner - Top 5
Ollie Wines ($6) - It was a huge and probably unexpected victory by Wines in 2022 as he picked up a massive total of 36 votes to beat the Bont by 3. Winning back to back Brownlow medals is a tough challenge for any player and I just think there are better value options at this stage. However, Wines should be a lock and a safe bet for the top 10.
Marcus Bontempelli ($7) - Even in a stacked midfield, The Bont picked up 2nd place in 2021 with 33 votes. He's hard to ignore as the Bulldogs captain and I see him as a safe bet to finish in the top three. I think he's due to win this medal at some stage in his career and 2022 could be the year.
Christian Petracca ($8) - With a Grand Final and Norm Smith medal in 2021, Petracca will be looking to complete the full set this season and he's in the prime of his career. However, he does have a lot of competition for votes with Oliver and Gawn, which is the most concerning factor with betting on Petracca.
Clayton Oliver ($9) - Finished 3rd in the Brownlow last year and he's still only 24 years old. So I can only see improvement from him. The only knock on his chances is that he has to battle Petracca for votes.
Lachie Neale ($9) - He battled injuries last year and finished with just 8 votes. However, he did poll 31 votes in the 2020 shortened season. So he will be one to watch in the early rounds if his body is right.
Best Bet
AFL 2022 Brownlow Medal Winner - Outsiders
Jack Steele ($11) - The Saints skipper has finished in the top 5 of the Brownlow over the last 2 seasons and offers excellent value at $11. As the Saints don't seem to have anyone strong enough in the midfield to take votes off Steele, the captain stands out when they win and he should be right up there again, especially if the Saints get near the top 8.
Patrick Cripps ($12) - Looked back to his dominant best in the preseason win over the Demons, highlighted by 4 goals. With Walsh out for the first month of the season, Cripps will likely poll well in the early stages of the season. However, he's only polled 15 votes in the last 2 Brownlow's as he has struggled with injury in the latter of those seasons.
Darcy Parish ($13) - 2021 was a breakout season for Parish as he enjoyed more time in the midfield and picked up seven 3 votes games. He was also named best on the ground in the big games, such as Anzac Day and Dreamtime. His main competition at Essendon is Merrett as the pair combined for 46 votes last season. However, Parish should be able to hit the 20+ mark and build on last year's performance.
Dustin Martin ($15) - After a serious kidney injury last season, Dusty looked fit in the preseason win over the Hawks. With the Tigers expected to get back into the top 8, Martin should be one of the major factors and his best games always stand out to the umpires. His days of winning the Brownlow are probably over but he should be able to crack the top 10.
Nat Fyfe ($15) Only polled 3 votes last year in an injury-riddled season. He's coming off a shoulder injury and a lack of preseason is concerning for a 30-year-old.
Best Bet
AFL 2022 Brownlow Medal Winner - Value
Patrick Dangerfield ($18) - After picking up just 6 votes in 2021, the days of Danger dominating the Brownlow are likely over.
Tom Mitchell ($18) - Mitchell has been a proven vote-getter in his career and despite the Hawks struggles last year, he still managed 25 votes. With a new coach and a young list, the Hawks aren't expected to move up the ladder and challenge for the top 8. But that doesn't seem to matter for Mitchell as he knows how to find the footy.
Touk Miller ($21) - He's quickly become the Suns most consistent player and it's great to see someone improve their game on the Gold Coast. Definitely an underrated pick for the Brownlow but it's hard to see him winning the medal due to the Suns expected struggles in 2022
Jack Macrae ($26) - Have to feel for Macrae as he underachieved in the voting last year with just 14. In a midfield dominated by Bontempelli, it's a tough ask to take votes away from the captain. Especially since Macrae doesn't always hit the scoreboard as a midfielder.
Sam Walsh ($31) - He'll miss the first month of the season and that will definitely hurt his chances. However, if he returns to full fitness, he did poll 30 votes last season.
Isaac Heeney ($31) - Heeney hasn't been a consistent vote-getter as yet. He struggles to get playing time in the Swans midfield with the likes of Parker and Mills. There are talks about him moving into the midfield this season but he played mostly forward in the preseason win over the Roos.
Zach Merrett ($41) - Polled 20 votes last year and he's still 26 years old. However, the emergence of Parish in 2021 will likely hurt his voting potential.
Josh Kelly ($41) - A gun midfielder for the Giants but he has too much competition for votes from his teammates.
Andrew Brayshaw ($51) - With Cerra out and Fyfe coming off injury, Brayshaw is poised for a breakout season.
Tim Kelly ($81) - Kelly could be the benefit of an injury-riddled Eagles midfield with the likes of Yeo, Shuey and Sheed potentially on the sidelines. He hasn't reached the heights of the 2019 Brownlow when he finished 5th. However, he looks one of the best value around the $80 mark and could be a good target for a cash out.
Travis Boak ($101) - Sure Boaky isn't getting any younger but he's still performing at a high level. He comes off 25 votes in a season where Wines dominated for the Power. He's also finished in the top 8 in back to back Brownlows. $101 isn't a fair price for Boak so it's worth throwing a few bucks at.
Best Bet
