A SHOWDOWN for the Brownlow Medal is on the cards in round 18, according to AFL.com.au's Brownlow Predictor.
With just one match remaining in the season, the Predictor has Lachie Neale and Travis Boak set to go head-to-head for footy's most prestigious individual honour in the campaign's final weekend.
BROWNLOW PREDICTOR Check out all the votes
Neale leads Boak by just two votes, which could suggest we are in for a pulsating count when football's highest individual accolade is ultimately decided in October.
The Brisbane midfielder, who is so far tipped to poll 23 votes, had the opportunity to claim an unassailable lead over the weekend but was blanketed by Sydney stopper Ryan Clarke and was held to just 15 disposals.
Having started the weekend four votes behind, Boak then halved that deficit when the Port Adelaide midfielder recorded two votes against Essendon following a performance where he won 26 disposals and kicked a goal.
It leaves the pair separated 23-21 with just one match remaining, as Neale prepares for a round 18 clash with Carlton and Boak sets himself for another big performance against Collingwood.
LADDER PREDICTOR Can your team make the eight?
Melbourne star Christian Petracca sits in third with 15 votes, but is unfortunately not tipped to be in Brownlow Medal contention heading into the final round, while West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui and superstar Tiger Dustin Martin are on 13 votes.
A host of players, including Taylor Adams, Tom Hawkins, Ollie Wines, Luke Parker, and Marcus Bontempelli are locked in a battle for fifth with 12 votes each.
BROWNLOW PREDICTOR Check out all the votes
Sportsbet Brownlow odds
$1.25 – Lachie Neale (BL)
$8 – Travis Boak (PA)
$9 – Christian Petracca (Melb)
$17 – Jack Steele (StK)
$21 – Jack Macrae (WB)
