Josh Kelly is set to break the GIANTS’ record for most Brownlow Medal votes according to AFL.com.au’s Brownlow Medal Predictor.
The midfielder, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, is predicted to poll 25 votes at tonight’s event, which would see him surpass Callan Ward’s record of 19 votes polled in the 2015 count.
Kelly’s outstanding 2017 season - that saw him named on the wing in the 2017 Virgin Australia All Australian team and finish third in the 2017 AFL Players’ Association MVP - is likely to catch the eye of the umpires, but he faces an uphill battle to surpass runaway favourite Dustin Martin.
The 22-year-old is predicted to poll top votes in seven games and finish 14 votes ahead of fellow All Australian Dylan Shiel.
The AFL’s Brownlow Predictor indicates that Kelly will poll three votes in the following rounds:
2 – 27 disposals and three goals in the GIANTS’ 102-point win over Gold Coast
3 – 31 disposals, seven tackles and a goal in a 42-point win over North Melbourne
8 – 36 disposals, 11 tackles, 8 inside 50’s a goal and 7 clearances in a three-point win over Collingwood
10 – 29 touches, one goal, six tackles and seven clearances in an eight-point win over the Eagles
11 – 38 touches, one goal, 10 tackles, 10 inside 50s, seven clearances and three goal assists in a 16-point win over Essendon.
20 – 27 disposals, three goals, nine tackles and five inside 50s in a 35-point win over Melbourne
22 – A GIANTS record of 43 disposals, one goal, and eight clearances in a 21-point win over West Coast
It would be a remarkable effort for Kelly given the silky midfielder polled his first ever Brownlow votes last year, finishing with six for the season.
The Brownlow predictor is also showing that forward Jonny Patton will be the GIANTS’ highest polling key position player with his six-goal haul against Port Adelaide in round six and five-goal haul in round 16 against Hawthorn bagging him top votes.
Sam Reid is also predicted to poll the first Brownlow votes of his career with his round 14 effort where he kicked two goals while keeping All Australian forward Dayne Zorko to eight disposals.
GIANTS Brownlow Medal Votes as predicted by AFL.com.au’s Brownlow Medal Predictor:
25 – Josh Kelly
11 – Dylan Shiel
10 – Jonny Patton
9 – Callan Ward
6 – Stephen Coniglio
5 – Zac Williams
4 – Tom Scully
3 – Toby Greene*, Shane Mumford*, Jeremy Cameron
2 – Lachie Whitfield
1 – Sam Reid
*Ineligible
