Adelaide

Leader: Scott Thompson is in prolific form so far this season, averaging 27 disposals a game and more than six clearances a game. The umpires love awarding Thompson votes when he's hot – as we saw in 2012 when he collected 25 of them. Acting co-captain Rory Sloane has also been in terrific touch, ranked third in the league for tackles and second behind Patrick Dangerfield at the Crows for contested possessions (12 a game).

Roughy: Sam Jacobs is back to his best in 2014, averaging more disposals, tackles, marks and hit-outs a game than in his brilliant 2012 season. He doesn't have great Brownlow form though; Jacobs was unlucky to miss All Australian selection in 2012 but still only gathered five votes from the umpires. - Harry Thring

Brisbane Lions

Leader: Votes will be few and far between for the Lions, but after finishing sixth in last year's count, Tom Rockliff is a proven vote-getter and could sneak a few this season. Although he is ineligible, the 24-year-old is having a career best season and his 29.4 disposals and 9.2 tackles a game should be enough to get under the umpires' noses. He was particularly good in wins over Carlton and North Melbourne and could also pinch votes against Essendon and Richmond.

Roughy: Rockliff's best mate Jack Redden has struggled to vote in previous years, but stood out for the Lions before his season-ending foot injury. Redden has been at the cornerstone of wins against St Kilda, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs and should poll in all matches. - Michael Whiting

Carlton

Leader: Bryce Gibbs. Signing a five-year contract extension last month has boded well for the skilful on-baller, who has elevated his game to a new level this season. His 38 touches in the Blues' 32-point win over St Kilda in round eight are likely to see him awarded the three votes. He was also sensational, and a clear best on ground, with 29 disposals and four goals in a narrow loss to Geelong in round 12. 

Roughy: Chris Yarran always had oodles of talent, but this year he has matched it with the consistency required to be a top notch AFL player. The 23-year-old does special things with the ball in his hands, so he is sure to catch the attention of the umpires. – Ben Guthrie


Former No.1 draft pick Bryce Gibbs has finally lived up to his lofty billing this year. Picture: AFL Media

Collingwood

Leader: Scott Pendlebury is the obvious choice to top Collingwood's votes - however he has not been as consistent in 2014 as in previous seasons. Pendlebury's best games – against the Sydney Swans, North Melbourne and Melbourne – have been exceptional but he has also struggled at times. He will not have Dane Swan taking votes off him too often as he has in past years, with only Jamie Elliott and Steele Sidebottom consistently threatening. However it's debatable whether he is at the standard set in the past four seasons when he has polled 21 votes (5th place), 24 (4th), 15 (11th) and 21 (6th) and therefore he might be under the odds to win.

Roughy: Jamie Elliott was on fire early in the season and has some of the attributes that attract votes. He is exciting, a high-flier and kicks goals. He was also pushing up into the play more this season. Elliott has only polled three votes in his career – a five-goal, best on ground performance against Carlton in round two, 2013 – but has been more recognizable this season. - Peter Ryan

Essendon

Leader: Dyson Heppell might not win the Brownlow Medal in 2014, but you'd have to think he will give it a real shake at some point in his career. Heppell should still be right up there this year for the Bombers, though, having enjoyed a brilliant season in the midfield. He has played every game, averaged 28 disposals an outing and excels around the clearances. Last year he picked up 10 Brownlow votes, showing he catches the eye of the umpires. Now in only his fourth season, the young Bomber seems likely to be Essendon's leading Brownlow contender this year and beyond. 

Roughy: He's not so much an outside chance, but David Zaharakis should poll well during his mid-season purple patch of form. Game breaking, damaging and a goalkicker, Zaharakis fits the bill as a player who you'd expect to pull some votes. - Callum Twomey

Fremantle

Leader: Nat Fyfe is a chance to join a rare group in topping the Brownlow voting but being ineligible to take home the medal due to a two-week suspension. Fyfe has had another wonderful season backing up from his club best and fairest win in 2013. He polled 18 votes last year, 14 in 2012 in just 11 games, and 13 votes in 2011. He will poll in a lot of games this season but the only question will be whether he has enough three-vote performances. 

Roughy: Aaron Sandilands could out-poll Fyfe given his form this year. In 2010 Sandilands polled 20 Brownlow votes. He averaged 17 touches, four marks, 36 hit-outs and kicked 12 goals in 19 home and away games that season. In 16 matches this year Sandilands has averaged 13 disposals, four marks, 39 hit-outs and has kicked six goals. - Alex Malcolm

Will Nat Fyfe lead the overall count despite being ineligible to win? Picture: AFL Media


Geelong

Leader: Joel Selwood. The Cats' brilliant skipper, who finished just one vote behind Gary Ablett in the 2013 Brownlow Medal count, hasn't had his greatest season. But he should earn plenty of votes in the early rounds, starting with three against Adelaide in round one. Selwood is an extraordinarily consistent vote-getter. By the end of last season's Brownlow count, he had polled 116 votes in 160 games, including tallies of 27 last year, 21 in 2010 and 19 in 2008.

Roughy: Big forward Tom Hawkins has returned to his imposing best this season, kicking 46 goals in 16 games. Last time Hawkins played like this, when he made the All Australian team in 2012, he polled 10 votes. - Adam McNicol

Gold Coast

Leader: He'll miss the final seven rounds with a shoulder injury, but Gary Ablett should still give his third Charlie a big shake. The dual winner has claims to three-vote performances in all of Gold Coast's first six victories and will be a runaway leader after nine rounds. Ablett should also poll in matches against Geelong, the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn, but despite his prolific season, a lack of games and losing the odd vote to his improving teammates might ultimately cost him another win.

Roughy: Former No.1 draft pick David Swallow has had a breakout season. The combative midfielder could vie with Ablett for the three votes against Richmond, the Brisbane Lions and GWS in the opening six weeks, and along with a couple of other striking performances, should poll well. - Michael Whiting

Greater Western Sydney

Leader: The stumbling block for the Giants when it comes to the Brownlow is their lack of wins, although that's gradually improving. GWS has a total of just 39 votes over its first two years in the AFL, but with a club-record four victories in the bank this season, votes should be more commonplace. One of the key men behind three of those wins was Shane Mumford. In his first year at the club, Mumford was immense in triumphs over the Sydney Swans, Melbourne and Carlton. He missed five matches earlier in the year with a knee issue, but should still have his nose in front for GWS at this stage.

Roughy: GWS has a number of talents that could nab votes, including Tom Scully, Lachie Whitfield and the club's leading vote-getter to date, Callan Ward. But due to his pace and toughness through the midfield, Adam Treloar should be one to watch, this year and beyond. - James Dampney

Hawthorn

Leader: Hawthorn has no clear Brownlow Medal leader, largely because of a significant injury toll to its star players. Jordan Lewis is in career-best form - and leads the Hawks for disposals (26.1) and clearances (5.5) – but would have to defy a poor polling history of just 35 votes in 193 games.  With that in mind, Luke Hodge or Shaun Burgoyne could be leading the Hawks' count. Hodge is averaging nearly 25 possessions and has a proven track record with 103 career votes, while Burgoyne has played every match in another consistent season. 

Roughy: Watch out for Bradley Hill early in the Brownlow Medal count. The exciting wingman burst out of the blocks, averaging nearly 25 possessions and almost a goal a game across the opening seven rounds. Hill has tapered-off slightly since but should poll his first career votes this season.– Travis King

Shaun Burgoyne has turned back the clock and shapes as a roughy on Brownlow night. Picture: AFL Media



Melbourne

Leader: Nathan Jones has been Melbourne's most consistent performer over the past three years and that trend looks like continuing in 2014. The Demons' co-captain collected six Brownlow votes in a two-win season last year, so with Melbourne winning four games so far, Jones' output is likely to rise. The dogged midfielder was clearly best on ground in the club's key win over Carlton (round three), while he is likely to receive multiple votes against Richmond (round nine) as well. 

Roughy: It is entirely possible that Dom Tyson could be leading Melbourne's best and fairest count at this point of the season. Although he will be battling with Jones for first position on the podium, Tyson is in the running to receive maximum votes against Adelaide (round seven), Richmond (round nine) and Port Adelaide (round 11). – Ben Guthrie

Melbourne can rely on Nathan Jones giving his best every time he takes the field. Picture: AFL Media

North Melbourne

Leader: Brent Harvey might have turned 36 this year but the veteran Roo is averaging a career-high 26.5 possessions a game this season and continues to be North's most eye-catching performer. Harvey sits 13th on the all-time list for career Brownlow votes and has produced several match-winning performances in 2014, most notably in round two against the Western Bulldogs (25 possessions and three goals), round nine against the Brisbane Lions (39 and two) and round 12 against Richmond (25 and three).

Roughy: Levi Greenwood has polled eight Brownlow votes in his six completed AFL seasons, but the rejuvenated midfielder has been in North's best players in most games this year and appears set for a breakthrough count. Quick and a prolific ball-winner, the 25-year-old should attract the umpires' attention in 2014. - Nick Bowen

Port Adelaide

Leader: Travis Boak has enjoyed a stellar season – perhaps his best yet. Boak has averaged 28 possessions a game in 2014, more than any other season and he's the club's best clearance player. Boak also leads the Power for inside 50s. Robbie Gray should be right up there too though, with a strong combination of goals and goal assists. Gray is ranked first in the League for goal assists, while he's booted 26 himself and averaged 24 disposals a game.

Roughy: Ollie Wines has excelled in his second season in the AFL and is second only to Boak at Port in clearances. The tough, inside midfielder plays right under the umpires' noses and his mix of tackling pressure and first possession numbers (12 contested disposals a game) could see him draw votes. - Harry Thring

Richmond

Leader: Trent Cotchin has polled the most votes for Richmond in each of the past three seasons, and he is unlikely to be headed in 2014. The skipper, who has polled a total of 60 votes in the past three Brownlow Medal counts, was at the forefront of the Tigers' early wins this season, lifting when it mattered against the Blues in round two and the Lions in round five. Lock in three votes now for his 31 possessions and five goals against the Saints in round 15.

Roughy: Like he did in 2013 and 2011, Dustin Martin is the most likely to tail Cotchin, but a true 'roughy' would be Brandon Ellis. The midfielder has been prolific since round six, averaging 29 possessions and racking up more than 30 on five occasions. The 20-year-old has polled five career votes but is well set to add to this total. - Nathan Schmook

St Kilda

Leader: Nick Riewoldt has enjoyed yet another outstanding season, and he is every chance to snap up three votes in each of the Saints' three wins to date. The skipper kicked three goals and took 12 marks against Melbourne in round one, he kicked another five against GWS the following week, and he starred in the team's most recent win with 5.1 and 10 marks against Essendon. Valiant all season, there could be one and two-vote opportunities elsewhere. Riewoldt has polled 113 career Brownlow votes, including 17 back in 2004.

Roughy: Clint Jones was freed of his usual run-with duties early in the season and he racked up 39 possessions in the round one win over Melbourne. He should be among the votes in round two as well, giving him a good start. Lenny Hayes has enjoyed a fine farewell season, but he missed the season opener, with his best performances inevitably coming in losing causes. - Nathan Schmook

Sydney Swans

Leader: The Swans have conquered virtually all before them in 2014 and loom as major players on Brownlow night. But their balanced line-up also means many teammates will be taking votes from each other. Josh Kennedy picked up 19 votes in 2012 and another 14 last year in what was viewed as a slightly down season for him. With Gary Ablett sidelined, Kennedy now boasts the most possessions in the competition and has improved his game from an already incredible level this year. He's sure to be right in the thick of the action.

Roughy: A host of Swans are sure to gain votes this year, with Ben McGlynn, Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack and Craig Bird amongst them. But for flat-out eye-catching performances, it is likely Lance Franklin will also perform well on the night. We know forwards rarely poll well, but the manner of some of his goalkicking exploits this year would surely have caught the attention of the umpires. - James Dampney

Josh Kennedy has been at the heart of the Swans' impressive season. Picture: AFL Media 


West Coast

Leader: Matt Priddis will be hard to beat as the Eagles' leading vote getter this season. He topped the votes for West Coast last year with 13 and won the best and fairest. He has been equally prolific and consistent this season averaging 28 disposals and kicking nine goals in 16 games. Priddis also polled 19 Brownlow votes in the 2011 season. 

Roughy: Josh Kennedy could be a smokey as the West Coast's leader on Brownlow night, as the Eagles' players won't be polling big numbers at this year's count. He could pick up top votes for 11 goals against GWS and seven against Gold Coast. He could also poll for his bag of four against Melbourne in round two. One more bag of goals in a win and Kennedy could be in double figures, which might be enough to top the Eagles' list.  - Alex Malcolm

Western Bulldogs

Leader: Tom Liberatore is the Dogs' best bet to emulate his father Tony and become a Brownlow medalist. The 22-year-old has had numerous standout games so far in 2014, but arguably his best performance was his 34 possessions in the Bulldogs' upset win over Collingwood in round 13. He's constantly under the umpires' noses by leading the competition in tackles and top ten in several other statistical areas. Like his dad, he's a proven vote winner after finishing equal tenth in the 2013 count.

Roughy: It's hard to imagine a player in just their second season being in contention, but Jack Macrae has had a breakout year. The 20-year-old is averaging a staggering 26 touches a game while being fourth for effective disposals and fifth for uncontested possessions. Surprisingly, after several eye-catching performances in 2013, the smooth-moving midfielder failed to poll a vote. – Ryan Davidson

Like his dad, Tom Liberatore's ferocious tackling seems to catch the umpires' eyes. Picture: AFL Media