The unfortunate four: Isaac Heeney in line to join unwanted club on Brownlow Medal night
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Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney could be set to join an unwanted club when the Brownlow Medal night ends.
Heeney, who has been the biggest star in the best team so far this season, is ineligible for the award after copping a one-match ban in July for contact on St Kilda's Jimmy Webster.
If Heeney was to poll the most votes for the season, he would become the third player to do so and not win due to suspension.
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Isaac Heeney could join an unwanted club. via Getty Images
The previous players are Corey McKernan and Chris Grant.
Jobe Watson also won in 2012 before he was stripped of the medal due to the Essendon supplements scandal.
What is the Brownlow Medal?
Awarded every season since 1924, the Brownlow Medal is given to the best and fairest player during the AFL's home and away season.
Where will the Brownlow ceremony be held?
This year's Brownlow Medal ceremony will be held at Crown Melbourne.
When is the Brownlow Medal ceremony?
This year's Brownlow Medal ceremony will be held on Monday, September 23, the week of the AFL grand final.
The broadcast will begin at 7.30pm AEST with the official count to begin at 8pm.
How is the Brownlow Medal decided?
Umpires vote on a 3-2-1 basis after every match and the player with the most votes at the end of the regular season is crowned the winner.
Players who are suspended during the season are ineligible for the award, and players who finish on the same number of votes are declared joint winners.
Who are the favourites for this year's Brownlow Medal?
Patrick Cripps (Carlton): $2.50
Nick Daicos (Collingwood): $2.75
Lachie Neale (Brisbane): $8
Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs): $13
Zach Merrett (Essendon): $34
Where will this year's Brownlow likely be won?
Every year we see the Brownlow Medal winner have a stretch of games that puts some space between them and the rest of the pack. For the top three favourites, here's where we think they could stake their respective claims.
Patrick Cripps (round 15-16) - 40.5 average disposals across both games, won both games by margins over 60
Patrick Cripps. AFL Photos via Getty Images
A massive little period here by Cripps might be enough to get him over the line.
In round 15, Carlton smashed Geelong 21.12 (138) - 11.9 (75) and Cripps was the star, amassing 41 disposals.
He was at his best again the next week when Carlton beat Richmond at the MCG by 61 points. A tidy 40 disposals that game, with the next best 33 for Blake Acres. Cripps also slotted a goal.
The AFL's Brownlow predictor has the Carlton star on 33 votes.
Nick Daicos - (rounds 8-12) - average of 35.2 disposals, Collingwood won three out of five matches
Nick Daicos. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Brownlow predictor also has Daicos on 33.
This was his busiest period.
Against Carlton in round eight he kicked two goals and had 32 disposals, leading the 'Pies to a six-point win.
His biggest disposal count came against the Crows in round 10, collecting 41 in another tight victory.
In a draw against Fremantle and loss to the Bulldogs in rounds 11 and 12 he was still dominant, taking home 35 and 32 touches along with two goals in the latter match.
Lachie Neale (rounds 15-18) - 100 per cent winning record for the Lions and five goals
Lachie Neale is in contention for another Brownlow Medal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Could it be Brownlow Medal number three for the Lions star?
He'll be near the top by the end of the night, no doubt.
During this period the Lions continued an incredible winning streak.
Against Port Adelaide in round 15, Neale was massive. He had 37 disposals and 10 clearances as they smashed the Power by 79 points.
The only time he dropped below 30 disposals during this period was against Melbourne with 29.
He kicked three goals and had 36 touches against the Crows the next game before kicking two against West Coast.
Recent Brownlow Medal winners
2023 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)
2022 - Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
2021 - Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
2020 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)
2019 - Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
2018 - Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
2017 - Dustin Martin (Richmond)
2016 - Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
2015 - Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
Nat Fyfe after winning the 2019 Brownlow Medal. via Getty Images
Who has won the most Brownlow Medals?
Four players are tied having won three Brownlow Medals.
Haydn Bunton Sr (Fitzroy) - 1931, 1932, 1935
Dick Reynolds (Essendon) - 1934, 1937, 1938
Bob Skilton (South Melbourne) - 1959, 1963, 1968
Ian Stewart (St Kilda/Richmond) - 1965, 1966, 1971
Who has the record for most Brownlow votes in a season?
Richmond's Dustin Martin and Port Adelaide's Ollie Wines hold the record for most votes under the 3-2-1 voting system, with 36 apiece in 2017 and 2021.
South Melbourne's Graham Teasdale holds the record for most votes under any voting system, having racked up 59 to win the award in 1977.
Brownlow Medal 2024 Predictions: Immortal football group Brisbane's Lachie Neale could join if he pulls off victory
Brownlow Medal 2024 Predictions: Immortal football group Brisbane's Lachie Neale could join if he pulls off victory
Who has the most career Brownlow Medal votes?
Geelong icon Gary Ablett Jr was a constant presence near the top of the Brownlow count during his illustrious career.
Ablett's 262 career votes are the most of any player in VFL/AFL history.
Ablett's former teammate Patrick Dangerfield leads all active players in all-time Brownlow votes, with 236 to date.
