HAWTHORN gun Tom Mitchell is the runaway favourite for this year's Brownlow Medal, but is no certainty to be crowned the AFL's fairest and best player on Monday night.
Mitchell is looking to become the first Hawks player to claim the prestigious award since Sam Mitchell in 2012, but faces stiff competition from a number of the League's best.
FORM GUIDE Your club's best hope for 'Charlie'
Dustin Martin enjoyed another stellar campaign and could become the first man since Robert Harvey in 1997/98 to go back-to-back, while Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy are looking to become the first pure rucks to win the Brownlow since Scott Wynd in 1992.
Then there's Carlton star Patrick Cripps, who will be hoping to become just the third player in AFL/VFL history to win the award in a side that finished in last place on the ladder.
BROWNLOW PREDICTOR Every game, every vote
AFL.com.au assesses the group of favourites and judges when they could make their run at claiming what is set to be a hotly-contested Brownlow Medal on Monday evening.
Round 1: A record 54 disposals as Mitchell started the season hot. Pencil him in.
Round 2: Another 40 disposals, 13 clearances and two goals. Three more.
Round 3: His stunning start continues with 42 disposals and a goal. Watch for Cotchin.
Round 6: Racked up 45 disposals in a win, but Smith and McEvoy were influential.
Round 11: Just the 28 disposals and two goals against Port, with Burgoyne and Sicily good.
Round 15: Another 50 disposals and 13 clearances. Should get three, despite the loss.
Round 18: Clearly the best against the Blues with 46 disposals and two goals.
Round 19: A lazy 42 disposals and two goals in a road victory against the Dockers.
Round 20: Had 43 disposals and 13 clearances against the Dons, though Gunston was good.
Round 7: Won 29 disposals and had 10 tackles against the Dons, with Sicily among the best.
Round 9: Had 46 disposals in a loss to the Lions. Might miss with Beams and Zorko brilliant.
Round 13: He won 40 touches in a win over the Crows, but Sicily and O'Meara may pip him.
Round 17: Racked up 43 disposals, but in a loss. Beams and McCluggage were great.
Round 23: Had just 24 disposals, but laid 11 tackles. Expect Shiels and Lloyd to poll.
Round 4: Just 24 disposals in a win over the Dees. O'Meara and Breust among the best.
Round 5: Held to 19 disposals in a loss to the Roos. His quietest game for the year.
Round 8: Finished with 20 disposals in a loss to the Swans. Ronke and Parker were great.
Round 10: Had 28 disposals and 10 tackles, but unlikely to poll in a loss to the Eagles.
Round 12: Bye.
Round 14: Won 31 disposals, but O'Meara and Breust were the best in Hawthorn's win.
Round 16: Busy with 26 touches, but Breust, Gunston and Sicily should steal the votes.
Round 21: Had 32 disposals in a win over Geelong, but Smith was Hawthorn's best.
Round 22: Won 33 disposals against the Saints, but Gunston and Burgoyne were better.
Brownlow Predictor: 21 votes
BetEasy Odds: $1.45
Round 1: Had 32 disposals and a goal, but might get pipped for three by Cripps.
Round 2: Kicked five goals from 25 disposals in a losing team, with Laird fantastic.
Round 4: Kicked six goals against the Lions, should poll three votes.
Round 5: Had 26 disposals and 10 clearances, but Lambert and Edwards were also good.
Round 16: Racked up 30 disposals and kicked two goals in a big win over the Crows.
Round 18: Another 30 disposals, but will vie with Prestia and Riewoldt for the three votes.
Round 21: Put up 28 disposals, but could be behind Riewoldt and Caddy in the votes.
Round 22: Lock him in for three votes. Kicked four goals from 26 disposals against the Dons.
Round 23: Should get another three votes after winning 33 disposals in a win over the Dogs.
Round 6: Had 29 disposals and a goal, but Nankervis, Cotchin and Caddy could pip him.
Round 7: Might sneak a vote against the Dockers. Fyfe and Lambert were also good.
Round 10: A good chance to poll after 26 disposals, but Caddy and Cotchin were best on.
Round 11: Had 28 disposals and a goal, but Edwards and Caddy might be around the mark.
Round 17: Won 29 touches in a loss to the Giants, with Whitfield and Ward brilliant.
Round 20: Had 26 disposals and 10 clearances, but Selwood and Lambert were fantastic.
Round 3: A quiet game, with Cotchin and Riewoldt the best for the Tigers.
Round 8: Held to just 16 disposals in a victory over the Kangaroos.
Round 9: A big loss to the Eagles, with Darling and Yeo on fire for the hosts.
Round 12: Missed the trip to face the Power due to a sore calf.
Round 13: Had 22 disposals against the Cats, with Vlastuin and Rance among the best.
Round 14: Bye.
Round 15: A solid display, but Riewoldt, Lambert and Cotchin were great for the Tigers.
Round 19: Kicked three goals against the Pies, but Riewoldt was the star.
Brownlow Predictor: 25 votes
BetEasy Odds: $8.50
Round 3: He won 18 disposals and 50 hit-outs against the Roos. Hogan might nick the three.
Round 6: A lock for three votes after winning 42 hit-outs and kicking two goals.
Round 15: Had 25 disposals and 11 marks, but it was in a loss. Gresham might pip him.
Round 16: Another 20 disposals and 42 hit-outs. Will vie with Oliver and Brayshaw for three.
Round 17: Had 17 disposals and 41 hit-outs. His marking was superb. Should poll the votes.
Round 22: Influential against the Eagles with 20 disposals and 41 hit-outs. Should poll three.
Round 23: Finished strongly with 18 disposals and 37 hit-outs. Will be among the votes.
Round 1: Would be a certainty to poll three votes if not for the late miss against the Cats.
Round 7: Had 20 disposals and kicked a goal against the Saints. Oliver and Hogan will poll.
Round 8: Another 18 disposals and a goal, but Oliver and McDonald could steal the votes.
Round 11: Won 19 disposals and 57 hit-outs, but McDonald, Hogan and Oliver were great.
Round 19: Had 66 hit-outs in a win over the Crows, but Oliver may get maximum votes.
Round 2: Had just 10 touches against the Lions, with Hogan and Garlett the best.
Round 4: Racked up 66 hit-outs against the Hawks, but it was in a big defeat. Won't poll.
Round 5: Another loss, this time to the Tigers, with Lambert and Martin expected to poll.
Round 9: Had 12 disposals and kicked two goals, but Melksham and McDonald were better.
Round 10: A big win, but Brayshaw, Hogan and Viney were Melbourne's best.
Round 12: Broke even with Grundy, but is unlikely to poll in a loss to the Pies.
Round 13: Bye.
Round 14: Held to 16 disposals in a loss to Port Adelaide. Unlikely to feature in the votes.
Round 18: Kept to 12 disposals and a goal against Geelong. Hawkins was best on ground.
Round 20: Was solid against the Suns, but Oliver, Hogan and Brayshaw were superb.
Round 21: Limited to just seven touches in a loss to the Swans. Won't feature in the votes.
Brownlow Predictor: 24 votes
BetEasy Odds: $10
Round 1: A loss, but had 37 disposals and nine clearances. Him or Martin for three.
Round 5: Racked up 34 disposals and 11 tackles in a loss. Will vie with Gaff for the votes.
Round 6: Went head-to-head with Bontempelli and had 32 disposals and 12 clearances.
Round 14: Had 29 disposals and kicked three goals in a loss to the Pies. Should poll three.
Round 19: Won 37 disposals and 11 tackles in Carlton's second win of the year. Lock him in.
Round 8: Will be in the votes after Carlton's first win. Might be behind Curnow and Kreuzer.
Round 10: Had 31 disposals in a loss to Geelong. Expect Stewart and Dangerfield to poll.
Round 13: Had 38 disposals, but in a big loss to the Dockers. Neale and Fyfe were superb.
Round 17: Won 35 disposals and 10 clearances, but in a loss. Steven and Billings to pip him.
Round 18: Will be behind Mitchell, but had 30 disposals and two goals in a loss.
Round 23: Had 37 disposals and 18 clearances, but in a side that lost by 104 points.
Round 2: Had 24 disposals, but the Suns should take all the votes. Lynch was best on.
Round 3: Won't poll despite 26 disposals and a goal. Sidebottom was the game's best.
Round 4: Kept to just 19 disposals in a big loss to the Kangaroos. Won't feature in the votes.
Round 7: A quiet game in a loss to the Crows. Had 25 disposals, but little impact.
Round 9: Worked hard and had 31 disposals, but the Blues lost by 109 points. Pass.
Round 11: Limited to just 17 disposals in his quietest game for the season. Won't poll.
Round 12: Bye.
Round 15: Finished with 33 touches, but Wingard and Westhoff were ahead of him.
Round 16: Held to just 21 disposals in a big loss to the Lions. Won't be in the votes.
Round 20: Won 29 disposals, but in a side that lost by 105 points. Won't poll.
Round 21: He won 32 disposals, but in a side that lost convincingly. Neale will get the three.
Round 22: Busy with 29 disposals, but Bontempelli and Dunkley will be ahead of him.
Brownlow Predictor: 23 votes
BetEasy Odds: $15
Round 2: Had 20 disposals and 45 hit-outs, but might get pipped for three by Coniglio.
Round 3: Won 25 disposals and took six marks against the Blues, but Sidebottom was great.
Round 4: Had 33 disposals, 40 hit-outs and kicked a goal against Adelaide. Three votes.
Round 10: Another 26 disposals and 38 hit-outs, but Treloar and Phillips could steal votes.
Round 15: Best on ground against the Suns with 23 disposals, 49 hit-outs and nine tackles.
Round 19: Had 23 disposals and 48 hit-outs, but in a loss. Riewoldt could take his votes.
Round 20: Racked up 24 disposals with 57 hit-outs, but in another loss. Franklin the worry.
Round 22: Won 25 disposals, 42 hit-outs and kicked a goal. Should get three votes.
Round 23: Finished strongly with 24 disposals against the Dockers. Likely to be three more.
Round 5: Had 22 disposals, but Treloar, Sidebottom and Pendlebury were fantastic.
Round 9: Won 23 disposals and 42 hit-outs, but De Goey and Sidebottom could take votes.
Round 11: Brilliant in the ruck all day, but expect Phillips and Sidebottom to poll.
Round 16: Racked up 24 disposals against the Dons, but could be pipped by Pendlebury.
Round 1: A slow start against the Hawks, with Mitchell a certainty to take the votes.
Round 6: Had 24 disposals against the Tigers, but was thwarted in the ruck by Nankervis.
Round 7: Held to just 16 touches against the Lions, with Zorko and De Goey starring.
Round 8: Not his best day in a loss to the Cats. Ablett and Menegola will poll.
Round 12: Broke even with Gawn. Neither will poll, with De Goey and Cox among the best.
Round 13: Bye.
Round 14: Had 20 disposals, but Cripps and Pendlebury dominated in Collingwood's win.
Round 17: A quiet day in a loss to the Eagles, with McGovern and Redden the standouts.
Round 18: Won 17 disposals in Collingwood's win, but De Goey and Adams were the best.
Round 21: A quiet day against the Lions, with Adams and Beams likely to poll.
Brownlow Predictor: 23 votes
BetEasy Odds: $19
Round 9: Hit his straps with 28 disposals and two goals in Brisbane's big win over Hawthorn.
Round 11: A fantastic display with 32 disposals and five goals, but Higgins will vie for three.
Round 15: Had 33 disposals and 12 clearances in a win. Martin and Rayner will be up there.
Round 16: Racked up 40 disposals and a goal in another win. Pencil him in for three votes.
Round 17: Another 33 disposals, this time against the Hawks. Should get maximum votes.
Round 22: A Q-Clash special with 38 disposals and a goal. Lock him in for three votes.
Round 6: Had 29 disposals and kicked a goal, but in a loss to GWS. Whitfield was the star.
Round 7: Could sneak a vote after 31 touches and two goals. Zorko and De Goey dominated.
Round 10: Racked up 38 disposals and a goal, but the Lions were well beaten. Might miss.
Round 19: Won 37 disposals and hit the scoreboard in a loss. Hawkins and Ablett starred.
Round 21: Might nab a couple of votes after 33 disposals and a goal. Adams is the threat.
Round 23: Should be in the votes after 32 disposals and two goals, despite a loss.
Round 1: Unlikely to feature in the votes in a loss, despite 26 disposals against the Saints.
Round 2: Held to just 16 touches in a defeat to Melbourne. Won't poll.
Round 3: A late withdrawal from the clash with Port due to personal reasons.
Round 4: Busy with 25 disposals, but expect three Tigers to take the votes in this one.
Round 5: Had 28 disposals against the Suns, but Fiorini and Miller were the Q-Clash stars.
Round 8: Kept to just 17 disposals in a loss to the Dogs. Don't expect votes here.
Round 12: Finished with only 14 touches in a loss to the Lions. Won't poll.
Round 13: Bye.
Round 14: Had 27 disposals and 10 marks against GWS, but Kelly and Coniglio were better.
Round 18: A busy day with 26 touches, but most likely won't poll against the Crows.
Round 20: Solid with 29 disposals against the Roos, but Ziebell and Zorko are ahead of him.
Brownlow Predictor: 20 votes
BetEasy Odds: $23
Round 4: Collected 33 disposals and 11 marks in a big win, but Kennedy kicked a bag.
Round 9: Will battle with Darling for the votes. Had 29 touches and a goal against the Tigers.
Round 10: Was busy with 28 disposals against Hawthorn, but Gaff was also among the best.
Round 13: Best on ground, despite a loss to Sydney, with 29 disposals and two goals.
Round 18: Should expect three votes after 28 disposals and a goal in a win over the Dogs.
Round 20: Racked up 26 disposals and kicked two goals in a Derby victory. Should poll.
Round 21: Had another 25 disposals and a goal, but will battle with Shuey for the votes.
Round 1: Might nick a vote after winning 26 disposals and kicking a goal against the Swans.
Round 5: Battled hard with 26 disposals and 11 tackles, but Cripps and Gaff were also good.
Round 8: Had 28 disposals in a win over the Giants, but Darling and Redden were excellent.
Round 16: Prolific with 32 disposals, but Gaff and Shuey were the standouts.
Round 19: Had 28 disposals and laid 11 tackles, but Cunnington was great in a Roos win.
Round 2: Quiet with just 20 disposals, but still had an impact and took seven marks.
Round 3: Couldn't get going, held to just 12 touches in a victory over the Cats.
Round 6: Kept to just 19 disposals in the Derby. Unlikely to poll votes.
Round 7: Had 26 disposals, but unlikely to poll given Redden and Darling's dominance.
Round 11: Limited to just 20 touches. Don't expect him to see votes here.
Round 12: Bye.
Round 14: Worked hard for 22 disposals and 12 tackles, but in a home loss to the Dons.
Round 15: Kept to just 19 disposals in another loss, this time to the Crows.
Round 17: Well held against the Pies, finishing with just 17 touches. Won't poll votes.
Round 22: Battled to win 23 disposals and 11 tackles, but won't poll in a loss to the Dees.
Round 23: Finished the year with 21 disposals against the Lions. Won't expect to see votes.
Brownlow Predictor: 21 votes
BetEasy Odds: $51