GEELONG’S Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel says added expectation on him by fans this year is reasonable.

The former Geelong Falcon forms part of a lethal Geelong on-ball brigade, along with Gary Ablett, Joel Corey, Cameron Ling and Joel Selwood to name just a few.

Bartel says he has tried to further improve his own game from his superb 2007 season, when he helped guide the Cats to the premiership.

“I think you do that every year anyway, whether it was a Brownlow [year] or not,” he said.

“I know supporters expect more out of you [for] winning the Brownlow, fair enough and it’s a good challenge to try and have a go at that.”

But adding to his own Brownlow collection doesn’t appear to be at the forefront of Bartel’s mind.

“I’m sure a few years down the track I’ll probably look back on it pretty fondly but I just want to be part of a successful side again and play wherever they want to put me, as long as I’m in the side.”

Bartel, who won last season’s top individual award with 29 votes, has enjoyed another stellar season despite Ablett grabbing most of the limelight.

However the shift of attention doesn’t bother the hard-at-it midfielder, who said he would love seeing a fellow Cat win the Brownlow medal.

“He’d be odds-on,” Bartel said when asked about Ablett’s chances.

“For me I’d like nothing better [than] for him to win a Brownlow medal, so hopefully he’s racking up the votes.”