Round 19 - The Downlow Top 10

Marcus Bontempelli is even money to take home Charlie in 2021, and although he's leading the Downlow count it's a lot closer than the odds suggest. Here's our top-ten with four rounds left.

#10 – Jarryd Lyons 17.32 ($51)

Despite Lachie Neale doing bugger all this season the Lions have still strung together plenty of wins, which puts Jarryd Lyons as their primary vote-getter. Had 9 last season polling in five games, and despite the rise of McCluggage he also doesn’t need to compete with Jarrod Berry like last year.

#9 – Christian Petracca 17.95 ($11)

Third favourite with most bookies but with Clayton Oliver having a big year we expect Christian Petracca’s votes to take a slight hit in 2021, even though the Dees are winning plenty of games.

#8 – Jack Macrae 18.22

Having another monster season and after upstaging Bont in 2020 tying fifth overall, we can expect to see Jack Macrae right up there again in 2021. Has gone under 30 touches just once this season.

Jack Macrae has won a silly amount of footy this year

#7 – Touk Miller 20.12 (N/A)

How good has Touk Miller been in 2021? Never been a poller but he’s also never averaged 31.4 touches per game. Has been the primary reason why the Suns have won six games this season, and although he can’t win it due to suspension he’ll have a breakout polling year.

#6 – Clayton Oliver 20.68 ($11)

As expected, Oliver and Petracca will split votes for most of this season – and then throw in Gawny who we also have on 11.23. Never been a major poller, but did overachieve last year with 14 votes. Been much better in 2021.

#5 – Darcy Parish 20.90 ($12)

Genuine 2021 breakout by Parish. Averages 30.5 touches per game whilst taking home three best-on medals against the Pies, Cats and Tigers. It may not result in 9 votes from those games, but it’s a solid indicator.

#4 – Sam Walsh 22.50 ($12)

Another breakout performer this year, but one we probably saw coming. Has future Brownlow Medalist stamped on his forehead, and certainly cannot rule him out this year as the only Blue likely to poll votes.

Sam Walsh remains in Brownlow calculations

#3 – Jack Steele 22.65 ($21)

How did this happen? At Round 10 when the Saints were awful Steele was the one keeping them afloat but he still wasn’t producing Brownlow games – well from Rounds 11 to 19 we’ve got Steele pumping out 15.48 votes and after finishing fourth last year there’s no reason why he won’t be up there again.

#2 – Ollie Wines 22.95 ($5.50)

A good poller having a monster season! The Power have won 13 games this season and with Boak’s output slightly down we should see Wines produce a whole heap of 3-vote games. Had 18 votes in 2017 and backed it up with 14 in 2018 – but his disposal average is +5 on those seasons. Will be at the business end of the count.

Bont is the favourite, but it's close!

#1 – Marcus Bontempelli 25.37 ($1.91)

Deserving favoruite with a huge season, but is $1.91 too short? As it stands the Downlow team has three chances within striking distance just a 3-vote effort behind, and with Macrae continuing to rack up monstrous amounts of footy will it effect Bont like last year? Is the leader right now, but a lot closer than the odds suggest.