Brownlow Medal Predictor, Round 8
Round 8 of the 2020 AFL Season is complete, and we have one of the pre-season flag favourites stamping their authority with their best performance of the year. The West Coast Eagles are glad to be home and smashed the Magpies in an impressive display out West. There is a surprising team inside the Top 4, and that’s the Saints, after their 29 point victory over Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.
Another decent round of football and let’s take a look at some of the best chances for votes in the 2020 Brownlow Medal Predictor.
Be sure to check back each week of the 2020 AFL Season for an in-depth look at the some of the better players for each round and who should get the votes.
Round by Round analysis of the Brownlow Medal Count. Who gets the Brownlow Votes and who has the best chance to become the Brownlow Medal Winner on Brownlow Medal Night.
Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs
Gold Coast 6.10 46 – Western Bulldogs 7.9 51
(W.Bulldogs by 5 Points)
Vote Chances
Caleb Daniel – 25 Disposals, (84% Efficiency), 8 Rebound 50s and 6 Intercept Possessions
Sam Collins – 17 Disposals, (82% Efficiency), 4 Marks and 14 Intercept Possessions
Hugh Greenwood – 22 Disposals, 6 Clearances and 9 Tackles
Projected Votes
1 Vote (W.Bulldogs) Bailey Smith (1)
Smith was solid for the majority of the contest and racked up 22 Possessions, including 10 Contested. He got the ball out of the middle with 5 Clearances and had 6 Score Involvements, to go along with a goal.
2 Votes (Gold Coast) Touk Miller (6)
The Suns hung around all night and dominated play at stages. It was Miller that had a significant impact. A good in and under player, Miller racked up 26 Disposals, including 16 Contested. He got the ball out of congestion on 7 occasions and was good without the football with 7 Tackles.
3 Votes (W.Bulldogs) Jack Macrae (8)
Macrae is always dependable and knows how to win the football with 12 of his 29 Disposals being contested. Read the ruck taps well with 7 Clearances, and put the ball Inside 50 on 6 occasions. Was also good without the footy with 6 Tackles and should be the favourite for maximum votes in this clash.
GWS vs Richmond
GWS 9.8 62 – Richmond 6.14 50
(GWS by 12 Points)
Vote Chances
Lachie Whitfield – 26 Disposals, 9 Marks and 7 Rebound 50s
Stephen Coniglio – 24 Disposals, 5 Clearances, 7 Tackles and 8 Score Involvements
Shai Bolton – 19 Disposals, 5 Clearances, 6 Inside 50s, 8 Score Involvements and 1 Goal
Projected Votes
1 Vote (Richmond) Dustin Martin (2)
Despite the loss, Martin gave the Tigers every chance to stay in the contest, and 14 of his 23 Disposals were contested hardball. He continually got the football out of congestion with 9 Clearances, and put the ball Inside 50 on 8 occasions. Was also dangerous going forward with 7 Score Involvements and a couple of goals.
2 Votes (GWS) Josh Kelly (4)
Kelly seemed everywhere in this clash and racked up numbers in some of the key statistical areas. Usually an outside midfielder type, but on this occasion 13 of his 26 Possessions were contested. He racked up 8 Clearances, 8 Tackles and 8 Score Involvements to go with a goal, and is an excellent chance for votes in the Giants win.
3 Votes (GWS) Toby Greene (5)
The Giants look a lot better when Greene is in the side and are a lot more dangerous going forward. In terms of overall impact in the match, Greene was the best player on the ground, and if he wasn’t out there, the result might have been different. 11 of his 18 Disposals were contested, as well as 4 of his 8 Marks. His 5 important Goals will make it tough for any other player to steal the votes off him.
North Melbourne vs Carlton
North Melbourne 9.3 57 – Carlton 9.10 64
(Carlton by 7 Points)
Vote Chances
Ed Curnow – 19 Disposals (13 Contested), 6 Clearances and 10 Tackles
Marc Murphy – 22 Disposals (10 Contested), 5 Inside 50s and 7 Intercept Possessions
Will Setterfield – 20 Disposals (12 Contested), 6 Clearances and 6 Tackles
Projected Votes
1 Vote (Carlton) Matthew Kennedy (1)
Kennedy was solid for the majority of the contest and racked up 20 Disposals. Presented well all day as a leading marking option with 8 Marks, and had 6 Score Involvements. Also booted a couple of goals to have an impact on the result.
2 Votes (North Melbourne) Jared Polec (6)
The Kangaroos hung around in this match, and Polec’s run and carry was a significant contributor. Normally an outside type player, but on this occasion 16 of his 25 Disposals were contested. He put the ball Inside 50 on 5 occasions and booted a goal. He was also good without the football with 8 Intercept Possessions and 6 Tackles.
3 Votes (Carlton) Sam Walsh (3)
Walsh covers the ground well and polled some surprising votes in his rookie year last season. The games he polled in were similar to this one, and 11 of his 21 Disposals were contested. He hit the scoreboard with a goal, and put the ball Inside 50 on four occasions. Was also solid without the football with 5 Tackles and 6 Intercept Possessions, in a difficult game to split the votes.
Sydney vs Hawthorn
Sydney 9.6 60 – Hawthorn 7.11 53
(Sydney by 7 Points)
Vote Chances
Dayne Rampe – 25 Disposals (84% Efficiency), 12 Intercept Possessions and 6 Rebound 50s
Luke Parker – 22 Disposals, 5 Tackles and 1 Goal
James Sicily – 23 Disposals (11 Contested), 11 Intercept Possessions, 7 Marks and 9 Rebound 50s
Projected Votes
1 Vote (Sydney) Jake Lloyd (2)
A prolific ball user in the Swans back half, Lloyd racked up 34 Disposals throughout the contest. Was used as a link up player on several occasions with 7 Marks and 7 Rebound 50s. The part that stood out in this clash was his ability to read the play, and that showed with 12 Intercept Possessions.
2 Votes (Hawthorn) Jaeger O’Meara (5)
O’Meara was the best Hawks player on the ground and helped keep them in the contest. 11 of his 25 Disposals were contested, and he kept getting the ball out of a stoppage with 9 Clearances. Was also good at keeping the ball moving forward for the Hawks with 8 Inside 50s and 653 Metres Gained. Also, hit the scoreboard with a goal and should poll votes in this clash.
3 Votes (Sydney) Tom Papley (4)
The X-Factor in this clash and doesn’t need a lot of the football to have an impact. Just the 11 Disposals, but was very dangerous up forward and provided the Hawks defenders with some real issues. 6 Inside 50s, 6 Score Involvements and 4 Goals, to have the most significant impact on the result of the match.
Port Adelaide vs St Kilda
Port Adelaide 6.8 44 – St Kilda 12.1 73
(St Kilda by 29 Points)
Vote Chances
Jack Steele – 21 Disposals, 4 Clearances and 6 Tackles
Paddy Ryder – 10 Disposals, 29 Hit-outs, 5 Score Involvements and 2 Goals
Jade Gresham – 23 Disposals, 5 Clearances and 1 Goal
Projected Votes
1 Vote (St Kilda) Hunter Clark (2)
Clark was reliable for the majority of the contest down back for the Saints, and 17 of his 24 Disposals were kicks. Read the play well with 6 Intercept Possessions and 5 Rebound 50s, and is a good chance to poll a vote in the Saints win.
2 Votes (St Kilda) Zak Jones (5)
One of the recruits of the year and it was the impact that Jones had at stoppages that helped set up the win. Not as much of the football as some of the others, but 13 of his 20 Disposals were contested, and he extracted the football out of congestion on eight occasions. A strong chance to poll votes in this match.
3 Votes (St Kilda) Rowan Marshall (7)
Both of the Saint’s Rucks, had good matches and Marshall racked up the football on 15 occasions, and 13 of those Possessions were contested. Also had 7 Clearances, 5 Inside 50s and booted a couple of goals to be arguably the best player on the ground.
Adelaide vs Essendon
Adelaide 8.11 59 – Essendon 9.8 62
(Essendon by 3 Points)
Vote Chances
Paul Seedsman – 22 Disposals, 7 Tackles, 7 Inside 50s, 8 Score Involvements and 1 Goal
Jordan Ridley – 18 Disposals (94% Efficiency), 6 Marks and 8 Intercept Possessions
Will Snelling – 18 Disposals and 11 Tackles
Projected Votes
1 Vote (Adelaide) Brodie Smith (1)
Smith was outstanding in this clash and helped keep the ball moving forward with 10 Inside 50s, and a massive 705 metres gained. 10 of his 24 Disposals were contested, and he racked up 8 Score Involvements and kicked a goal, to be the Crows best player.
2 Votes (Essendon) Zach Merrett (5)
The ever-reliable Bombers midfielder, Merrett filled up the Stats sheet in this encounter. He racked up 33 Disposals and covered the ground well with 9 Marks. Was effective in some of the critical statistical areas with 6 Clearances, 6 Tackles, 6 Inside 50s and 8 Score Involvements. Should feature in the votes in this clash.
3 Votes (Essendon) Andrew McGrath (6)
McGrath continues to impress this season, and this was one of his better matches. 12 of his 25 Disposals were contested, and he continually got the ball out of a stoppage with 8 Clearances. Was also good without the football, laying 10 tackles, and is the favourite for the three votes in this clash.
West Coast vs Collingwood
West Coast 18.3 111 – Collingwood 6.9 45
(West Coast by 66 Points)
Vote Chances
Oscar Allen – 14 Disposals (86% Efficiency), 10 Score Involvements and 3 Goals
Nic Naitanui – 8 Disposals, 24 Hit-outs and 1 Goal
Luke Shuey – 19 Disposals, 8 Score Involvements, 5 Tackles and 6 Intercept Possessions
Projected Votes
1 Vote (West Coast) Andrew Gaff (3)
The Eagles had a big win and Gaff kept getting free and helped set up the play for the Eagles. 18 of his 26 Disposals were kicks, and he racked up 7 Score Involvements and kicked a goal. Found himself free on numerous occasions with his elite running power, and took 11 Marks.
2 Votes (West Coast) Tim Kelly (7)
Kelly is starting to prove that he was worth being headhunted and on this occasion, he racked up 29 Disposals at 90% Efficiency. He is beginning to read the tap work of Nic Nat consistently and had 6 Clearances in this clash. Put the ball Inside 50 on 6 occasions and racked up 10 Score Involvements, to go with a goal. A strong chance to poll votes in the massive win.
3 Votes (West Coast) Josh Kennedy (6)
Kennedy doesn’t need a lot of the football to make an impact and backed up his performance in the Derby last week. Just the 13 Disposals, but had 9 Score Involvements and booted an impressive 7 Goals. 2 of his 5 Marks were contested, and he is the favourite for the three votes in this clash.
Melbourne vs Brisbane
Melbourne 7.7 49 – Brisbane 7.11 53
(Brisbane by 4 Points)
Vote Chances
Jack Viney – 24 Disposals (13 Contested), 5 Inside 50s and 1 Goal
Christian Petracca – 24 Disposals (14 Contested), 9 Score Involvements, 8 Tackles and 5 Inside 50s
Zac Bailey – 21 Disposals, 8 Marks, 7 Rebound 50s and 1 Goal
Projected Votes
1 Vote (Brisbane) Jarryd Lyons (3)
A solid match from Lyons and his impact helped the Lions win the contest. His tackling pressure is distinctive, and he laid 9 Tackles in this clash. Was also good with the football with 22 Disposals and 7 Marks. Should feature in the votes in this clash.
2 Votes (Melbourne) Clayton Oliver (3)
Oliver is starting to hit form at the right time of the year, and despite the loss, he should feature in the votes in this clash. 17 of his 28 Disposals were contested, and he racked up 5 Clearances and an impressive 10 Tackles throughout the match.
3 Votes (Brisbane) Lachie Neale (17)
Neale is now the leader by seven in the 2020 Brownlow Medal Predictor after another massive match. He racked up 33 Disposals in which 16 were contested, and also had 7 Intercept Possessions. Neale is always reliable at getting the ball out of congestion and ended up with 7 Clearances, and had 7 Inside 50s, to be the best player out there.
Fremantle vs Geelong
Fremantle 2.4 16 – Geelong 6.12 48
(Geelong by 32 Points)
Vote Chances
Luke Ryan – 23 Disposals (21 Kicks), 14 Intercept Possessions and 15 Rebound 50s
Zac Tuohy – 26 Disposals, 5 Marks and 5 Inside 50s
Harry Taylor – 18 Disposals, 4 Tackles and 11 Intercept Possessions
Projected Votes
1 Vote (Fremantle) Andrew Brayshaw (4)
In slippery conditions, Brayshaw tried his best and kept racking up Possessions. 17 of his 28 Disposals were contested, and he got the ball out of a stoppage on 6 occasions. Was also good without the football with 6 Intercept Possessions and 8 Tackles. A decent chance to feature in the votes, despite the loss.
2 Votes (Geelong) Mitch Duncan (6)
After a slow start to the match, Duncan starting racking up the football in the second term and it went a long way to helping the Cats build a lead. A player that has strong running power, Duncan racked up 26 Disposals including 10 Contested. Was also good without the football with 7 Tackles and 6 Intercept Possessions. He managed to hit the scoreboard with a goal and is a chance for maximum votes.
3 Votes (Geelong) Cam Guthrie (6)
Guthrie has stepped up this season, and in wet conditions at Optus Stadium, he racked up 30 Disposals, including 15 Contested. Generally looks confident with the football and makes smart decisions to give his side the best chance to move the ball forward and hit targets. He got the ball out of congestion on 7 occasions and laid 6 tackles, in a possible best on ground performance.
Round 8 – Leaderboard
| Name | Projected Votes |
|---|---|
| Lachie Neale | 17 |
| Jack Steele | 10 |
| Matt Rowell | 9 |
| Max Gawn | 9 |
| Patrick Cripps | 8 |
| Brodie Grundy | 8 |
| Chad Wingard | 8 |
| Travis Boak | 8 |
| Jack Macrae | 8 |
Be sure to check back next week for the Round 9 edition of the Brownlow Medal Predictor, for AFL Season 2020.
To see the votes from all previous rounds, click on the Brownlow Medal Predictor 2020 on the menu bar, or click the links below.