Who's in Brownlow form (L-R)? Lachie Neale, Max Gawn, Toby Greene. Pictures: AFL Photos

LACHIE Neale is the standout leader in AFL.com.au's Brownlow Predictor.

However, the pack forming behind the Brisbane jet is surprising, to say the least.

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Melbourne captain Max Gawn is Neale's closest competitor after eight weeks of action, just three votes behind the raging Brownlow Medal favourite despite an inconsistent start to the year from his Demons side.

Best-on-ground performances against Carlton (21 disposals, 34 hitouts) and Gold Coast (15 disposals, 30 hitouts) have helped Gawn claw within touching distance of Neale nearing the halfway stage.

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It's a remarkable feat for Gawn, who has played one fewer match than Neale due to Melbourne's round three clash with Essendon being postponed because of Conor McKenna's positive COVID-19 test result.

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Gawn eats up everything Hawks dish up

Max Gawn had a field day against Hawthorn, marking just about every ball that was sent his way

However, despite Gawn's efforts, Neale still leads after recording best on ground displays in wins over West Coast (32 disposals, two goals), Port Adelaide (29 disposals, one goal) and Melbourne (33 disposals, seven clearances).

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Gold Coast's star No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick Matt Rowell is in third with nine votes, but is unlikely to add to his tally having suffered a long-term shoulder injury in his side's round five defeat to Geelong.

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Rowell's day done after nasty shoulder injury

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Rowell had been leading Neale by two votes before suffering his injury, highlighting the incredible start he had made to his debut season in the AFL.

Toby Greene, Travis Boak and Jack Steele make up a rather unusual list of contenders in joint-fourth, with the trio all amassing eight votes each throughout the start of the campaign.

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Dylan Shiel, Chad Wingard and Mitch Duncan each have seven votes.

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AFL.com.au's Brownlow Predictor leaderboard

13 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
10 - Max Gawn (Melbourne)
9 - Matt Rowell (Gold Coast)
8 - Toby Greene (GWS Giants)
8 - Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
8 - Jack Steele (St Kilda)
7 - Dylan Shiel (Essendon)
7 - Chad Wingard (Hawthorn)
7 - Mitch Duncan (Geelong)

*Melbourne and Essendon have played one fewer match than the rest of the competition

Sportsbet odds

$2.50 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
$8 - Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
$11 - Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
$13 - Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
$17 - Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
$17 - Max Gawn (Melbourne)

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