TAB Sportsbet's Gary Davies said two weeks on the sidelines had seen Ablett drift in betting while punters, after watching Judd rack up 32 disposals to lead his team to victory over the Magpies at the weekend, had backed the former winner of the medal.
"Ablett eased out to $2.75 last week but because of the fact he's 99 per cent sure to come back this week, we haven't eased him any further," Davies said.
"Chris Judd came in from $4.50 to $3.50 after his huge game against Collingwood on Sunday … he's tightened up even further."
Davies said there had been a steady stream of money for Judd, and there may be significantly more should the Blues captain continue his rampaging form against Adelaide this weekend.
"There's been a lot of small bets, just a lot of 50s and 100s and that sort of thing," he said.
"No-one has launched into him at the shorter odds, but he's easily been the best backed this week.
"If Ablett just sort of had a quiet game this week and Judd had another blinder he could certainly level up or even take over favourtism.
"So it'll just depend how the two of them go this week as to who's favourite at the end of round nine."
Davies said the other mover was Sam Mitchell, who firmed into a clear third pick after starring against Fremantle last Friday night.
"I think he was something like $13 but he's come into about $9 or even $8," Davies said.
Geelong's Jimmy Bartel, the 2007 Brownlow medallist, had also shortened dramatically after dominating against North Melbourne.
His 34-possession, three-goal game against the Kangas saw him shorten from a $31 chance into a $21 pick in Brownlow betting.
BROWNLOW MEDAL BETTING (TAB Sportsbet):
Gary Ablett $2.75
Chris Judd $3.50
Sam Mitchell $8
Nick Dal Santo $13
Joel Selwood $13
Nick Riewoldt $15
Brendon Goddard $17
Jimmy Bartel $21
Steve Johnson $21
Scott Pendlebury $21
