GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield is expected to cap off a superb first season as a Cat with a Brownlow Medal at Crown Palladium in Melbourne on Monday night.
AFL.com.au's Brownlow predictor, which saw reporters assess the three best players from each game, found Dangerfield would win with 29 votes.
Sydney Swans midfielder Luke Parker was expected to be second on 25 while the ineligible Rory Sloane, who was awarded his second club championship last Friday, was tipped to finish third with a tally of 23.
Sloane was rubbed out for the last week of the home and away season after a high hit on Port Adelaide's Brad Ebert in round 22.
Dangerfield made a huge impact right from his first game – he was judged best on ground in the Cats' round one win against Hawthorn after he racked up 43 disposals on Easter Monday.
The Swans will stay in Sydney while they prepare for the Grand Final against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday. Parker, Dan Hannebery, Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack will attend a function at the SCG.
While the focus will be on whether Dangerfield can cap off a season that saw him pick up the Players' Association Most Valuable Player award, the Coaches' Association player of the year and a bundle of media honours, there will be many other points of interest from the night.
Leaders after round five
Luke Parker (Syd) – 10 votes
Jack Viney* (Melb) – eight votes
Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) – seven votes
Tom Lynch (GC) – seven votes
Leaders after round 12
Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) – 15 votes
Max Gawn (Melb) – 13 votes
Rory Sloane* (Adel) – 12 votes
Joel Selwood (Geel) – 12 votes
Luke Parker (Syd) – 12 votes
Highest polling first-year players
Jacob Weitering (Carl) – three votes
Josh Smith (Coll) – one vote
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Ess) – one vote
Jade Gresham (StK) – one vote
Marcus Adams (WB) – one vote
Highest polling defender/ruckman/forward
Defender: Rory Laird (Adel) – 15 votes
Ruckman: Max Gawn (Melb) – 17 votes
Forward: Lance Franklin (Syd) – 18 votes
Highest polling former winners
Matt Priddis (WC) – 18 votes
Nat Fyfe (Frem) – four votes
Jimmy Bartel (Geel) – four votes
