ACCORDING to AFL.com.au's Brownlow predictor, Fremantle star Nat Fyfe's scorching start to the season will see him take home his first Brownlow Medal on Monday night.
It’s predicting that Fyfe polls 30 votes, including 29 to round 13, to finish seven votes clear of Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell.
Even though Fyfe missed four games throughout the season with injury, the gun midfielder seemingly has enough votes in the bank to hold off Mitchell's late charge.
But could Mitchell poll enough votes to pip Fyfe, and a long list of other contenders, including North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein, Sydney’s Dan Hannebery and Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield?
At hawthornfc.com.au, we’re completely unbiased (well, maybe not) and think Mitch would be a worthy winner.
While Fyfe looks certain to start with a bang, we believe Mitchell will build into the season.
He’s unlikely to poll too many votes in the first four rounds.
But from Round 5 until the end of the season, Mitchell could potentially poll in all bar three rounds – the Round 11 bye, the Round 21 loss to Port Adelaide and the Round 22 win over Brisbane Lions (which he missed with illness).
A 33-disposal effort in the Hawks’ 60-point win over North Melbourne in Round 5 could be the 32-year-old’s first three-vote effort.
Seven other games loom as almost certain ones in which Mitchell will poll – Round 7 against Melbourne (30 disposals), Round 9 against Gold Coast Suns (36 disposals), Round 10 against St Kilda (35 disposals), Round 15 against Fremantle (33 disposals), Round 19 against West Coast Eagles (36 disposals) and Round 23 against Carlton (34 disposals).
In seven other games, Mitchell could be a possibility to poll, but he will have to contend against the likes of proven vote-getters Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge, and two-time All Australian Cyril Rioli, among a host of other Hawks.
| Round | Sam Mitchell... | Votes? |
| 1 v Geelong (W) | Collected 21 disposals in a strong win. | Unlikely |
| 2 v Essendon (L) | Did not play | No |
| 3 v Western Bulldogs (W) | Picked up 27 disposals and laid 10 tackles in a big win - but Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Jarryd Roughead all starred. | Maybe |
| 4 v Port Adelaide (L) | Was restricted to 18 disposals as the Power claimed an eight-point win. | No |
| 5 v North Melbourne (W) | Dominated the game, driving the Hawks into attack on six occasions and rebound on four, to go with 33 disposals. | YES |
| 6 v GWS Giants (L) | Had a strong game, picking up 34 disposals, but the Hawks lost by 10 points. | Maybe |
| 7 v Melbourne (W) | Was one of many strong contributors in a 105-point win. 30 disposals and eight clearances should see him among the votes. | YES |
| 8 v Sydney (L) | Impressed with 32 disposals and eight clearances, but Dan Hannebery led the Swans to a narrow win. | Maybe |
| 9 v Gold Coast Suns (W) | Will surely poll here. The Hawks won and Mitchell picked up 36 disposals. | YES |
| 10 v St Kilda (W) | Could be a chance for back-to-back three-vote games. 35 disposals, eight clearances and a big win. | YES |
| 11 - BYE | Is good, but not that good. No votes in the bye. | |
| 12 v Adelaide (W) | Could poll here. Had an influence with 25 disposals and nine clearances in a Hawks win. | Maybe |
| 13 v Essendon (W) | Was one of many contributors. 32 disposals against the Dons and could feature. | Maybe |
| 14 v Collingwood (W) | Should poll (33 disposals), but expect Cyril Rioli to get three, with Hodge, Lewis and Liam Shiels also in contention. | Maybe |
| 15 v Fremantle (W) | Is a lock... two minimum. Starred with 33 touches in a huge win against the Dockers | YES |
| 16 v Sydney (W) | Was good again, but the Hawks had plenty of performers in this win against the Swans. | Maybe |
| 17 v Carlton (W) | Again was strong, again one of many contributors. Hodge, Lewis and Jack Gunston (six goals) will vie for votes. | Maybe |
| 18 v Richmond (L) | Picked up 28 possessions, but it was an off night for the Hawks. | Unlikely |
| 19 v West Coast Eagles (W) | Should get three here. Led the way with 36 disposals in a nail-biting win in the west. | YES |
| 20 v Geelong (W) | Might poll here after 28 disposals, but expect Hodge and Rioli to feature. | Maybe |
| 21 v Port Adelaide (L) | Had 27 disposals, but expecting Power players to dominate the votes after their win. | Unlikely |
| 22 v Brisbane (W) | Did not play. | No |
| 23 v Carlton (W) | Will be nervous if he's within three votes going into the last round. 34 disposals, six tackles and a huge chance. | YES |
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