* Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs): Another stunning season from the top dog. Wins his own ball, can run and carry, sweet left-foot, strong overhead - was runner-up with 33 votes in 2021. Stats: Averaged a career-high 27.65 disposals a game. When he polls, he polls big with 36 three-vote games before this year.
* Nick Daicos (Collingwood): A scarcely believable 19 dominant games until a knee injury. The halfback playmaker turned ace on-baller with precision ball use, evasion and gut-running his trademarks. Stats: Never had less than 25 touches. And had more than 30 a whopping 13 times. Candidate for nine best-afields but missed the last three games.
* Christian Petracca (Melbourne): The perennial poller won't have teammate Clayton Oliver pinching votes as he missed 11 games with injury - Petracca polled 24, Oliver 25 last year. The model of consistency usually polls when the Dees win. Stats: Averaged 28 disposals and never dropped below 20 in a match. Also averaged better than a goal a game (1.12) and six clearances.
* Zak Butters (Port Adelaide): Rose to the upper echelon in a breakout season with dash, dare and slick ball use. But how many votes will eye-catching teammate Connor Rozee, who could poll in a dozen games, steal? Stats: His average 27.5 disposals featured 5.2 inside 50s a game.
* Lachie Neale (Brisbane): The 2020 medallist finished behind Patrick Cripps by just one vote last year and was equal third in 2019. Another season of sustained excellence, vying for at least seven best-on-grounds. Stats: Averaged 27 touches and eight clearances, 10 games of 30-plus disposals.
THE ROUGHIES
* Tim Taranto (Richmond).
* Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)
BROWNLOW MEDAL FAST FACTS
* First awarded in 1924
* Most medals - 3 (Haydn Bunton Sr, Fitzroy; Dick Reynolds, Essendon; Bob Skilton, South Melbourne; Ian Stewart, St Kilda/Richmond)
* Most votes in a season - 36 (Dustin Martin, Richmond, 2017; Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide, 2021)
* Youngest winner - 19 years, 91 days: Dick Reynolds (Essendon, 1934)
* Oldest winner - 31 years, 238 days: Barry Round (South Melbourne, 1981)
PAST 10 WINNERS
2022: Patrick Cripps, Carlton, 29 votes
2021: Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide, 36
2020: Lachie Neale, Brisbane, 31
2019: Nat Fyfe, Fremantle, 33
2018: Tom Mitchell, Hawthorn, 28
2017: Dustin Martin, Richmond, 36
2016: Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong, 35
2015, Nat Fyfe, Fremantle, 31
2014, Matt Priddis, West Coast, 26
2013 Gary Ablett, Gold Coast, 28
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