Once again Before You Bet is back with our rolling Brownlow Medal Tracker for the 2018 season. We’ll be providing comments for every game of the season, along with our vote predictions to help with your projections for the 2018 AFL season.
Our Brownlow predictions are one of the most popular aspects of the site with punters able to scoop huge profits using the information found in these pages. You’ll be able to stay up to date with our current Top 20 2018 Brownlow Medal leaderboard, while there will be links to every single round-by-round voting posted there.
For those who need a refresher on how our Brownlow vote system works, we assign 6 votes per game so that our total votes are the same as the official 3-2-1 system, however we break up those votes as we see fit across potentially more than three players. Some games are really tough to call which way the votes will go, so a better predictive model is to split performances and assign half points to each player where there is doubt. So for example if two players dominate and it's too hard to split their performance, they are given 2.5 votes each, with the remaining 1 vote given to another player(s). This will give us a predictive total closer to their true total, rather than guessing. We can form a 'range' for each player (ie a min and max we think players can poll) with the thinking behind this that the variations from the half votes will even out over the long term.
If you intend on using our Brownlow votes to bet why not consider one of the best Australian sports betting sites which offer some great incentives for new customers. Also be sure to check out our Twitter page at @Before_You_Bet and continue returning to the site for our AFL tips, and of course, check out our 2018 Brownlow Round 20 Vote Predictions below!
2018 Brownlow Medal Predicted Votes – Round 20
Richmond 12.13.85 def Geelong 12.10.82
An amazing Friday night match to kick-start an incredible round of football, with the Tigers hanging on to defeat the fast-finishing Cats. In slippery conditions, Tim Kelly’s class and clean handling of the ball stood out as he finished with 36 possessions and a goal. Patrick Dangerfield (39 disposals) and Joel Selwood (37 disposals) did everything within their power to will their side over the line. Kane Lambert was best for the Tigers with 31 disposals and 7 tackles, while Alex Rance restricted Tom Hawkins to just one goal.
Tim Kelly – 3
Patrick Dangerfield – 1.5
Kane Lambert – 1.5
Hawthorn 16.11.107 def Essendon 16.7.103
A classic match between two old enemies may have ended Essendon’s season as the Hawks got home in a thriller. Jack Gunston was a dominant force with 5 goals from 24 possessions and 8 marks. Tom Mitchell (43 disposals) and Zach Merrett (41 disposals) went toe-to-toe in the middle of the ground while Jaegar O’Meara (30 disposals) and Cale Hooker (21 disposals, 13 marks, 2 goals) were also good contributors for their sides.
Jack Gunston – 3
Tom Mitchell – 1.5
Zach Merrett – 1.5
Brisbane 16.8.104 def by North Melbourne 16.11.107
The Kangaroos are still alive in 2018, but only just, as they held on against the Lions. Jack Ziebell led from the front with 26 disposals and 3 goals while Trent Dumont stepped up in the midfield with 29 touches. Majak Daw was a rock in defence with 15 possessions and 6 marks. For the hosts, Dayne Zorko was superb with 35 disposals and 10 tackles, while Hugh McCluggage had 26 disposals and 3 goals.
Jack Ziebell – 3
Dayne Zorko – 1.5
Hugh McCluggage – 1.5
Adelaide 13.18.96 def Port Adelaide 14.9.93
The fourth thriller in four matches this around saw the Crows win the Showdown against the Power. Matt Crouch was everywhere with 35 disposals, 8 tackles and a goal, Bryce Gibbs racked up 29 touches, while Josh Jenkins was influential with 18 disposals, 8 marks, 7 tackles and 3 goals, including the controversial match-winning goal. However the medal for best on ground went to Port’s Robbie Gray for his 4 goals from 20 disposals which will make this game an interesting one for votes on Brownlow night.
Robbie Gray – 2.5
Matt Crouch – 2.5
Josh Jenkins – 1
St.Kilda 9.14.68 def by Western Bulldogs 15.13.103
While the Saints were bitterly disappointing, they can’t blame Seb Ross who was dominant for the losers with 40 disposals, 9 marks and 3 goals. However the Bulldogs had plenty of contributors with Jack Macrae (36 disposals, 8 marks, 1 goal) and Josh Dunkley (33 disposals, 7 tackles) winning plenty of the ball, Jason Johannisen electric off half-back with 42 possessions, while Marcus Bontempelli was good after half-time to end with 4 goals from 22 touches.
Seb Ross – 3
Jason Johannisen – 2
Marcus Bontempelli – 0.5
Jack Macrae - 0.5
Sydney 11.7.73 def Collingwood 10.11.71
Another remarkable contest saw Lance Franklin as the match winner with 6 goals from 17 disposals, 9 marks and 6 tackles. With both midfields down on their usual output, it was Sydney’s defence that held strong with Aliir Aliir playing his best match with 24 disposals and 12 marks, while Dean Rampe had 28 touches from 11 marks. The visitors were led by Brodie Grundy who dominated the ruck with 57 hitouts, 24 disposals and a goal, while Taylor Adams tried hard amassing 32 disposals and 11 tackles.
Lance Franklin – 3
Brodie Grundy – 2
Aliir Aliir – 0.5
Dean Rampe – 0.5
Carlton 7.4.46 def by GWS 23.13.151
The Giants were hit hard with injuries to the point where they were only playing 16 on the field late in the game, but that didn’t stop them from smashing the Blues by over 100 points. Josh Kelly was back to his best with 41 disposals and 7 marks, while Stephen Coniglio (36 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 goals) and Callan Ward (34 disposals, 9 tackles) also ran rampant. Patrick Cripps had 29 disposals and 9 tackles to be the best for the Blues, but seems unlikely to get any votes here.
Josh Kelly – 3
Stephen Coniglio – 2
Callan Ward – 1
Melbourne 21.17.143 def Gold Coast 7.5.47
Clayton Oliver will be adding another three Brownlow votes to his tally after amassing 31 disposals, 11 marks, 7 tackles and two goals as the Dees ran wild over the Suns. He was supported by Angus Brayshaw (27 disposals, 8 marks, 10 tackles, 1 goal) and Christan Salem (26 disposals, 1 goal) while Jesse Hogan finished their work with 4 goals from 22 disposals and 10 marks. Alex Sexton kicked five of the Suns’ seven goals for the match, but there wasn’t too much else to get excited about.
Clayton Oliver - 3
Angus Brayshaw - 2
Jesse Hogan - 1
West Coast 21.16.142 def Fremantle 13.6.84
An ugly incident and a likely suspension for Andrew Gaff marred the thumping win of the Eagles in the Derby. Gaff was good with 33 disposals and a goal, and although these incidents are not supposed to influence umpires votes, you can’t help but think that it will. Elliot Yeo won the medal for best on ground for 26 disposals and 3 goals, while Jack Redden will land votes for 33 disposals, 10 marks and a goal and Brad Sheppard will be a chance for 26 disposals and 12 marks. Scott Lycett (20 disposals, 21 hitouts and 2 goals) and Jack Darling (13 disposals, 4 goals) were the dominant big men on the ground, while Jamie Cripps also chipped in with 4 goals from 17 touches.
Elliot Yeo - 3
Jack Redden - 2
Brad Sheppard - 1