The Brownlow Medal remains the most prestigious individual award in Australian Rules Football, presented annually to the player judged “best and fairest” during the AFL home-and-away season.
As the 2026 campaign approaches, the market for the Brownlow Medal once again draws significant betting attention — blending performance analysis, match impact, and the unpredictability of umpire voting.
Traditionally dominated by elite midfielders, the race for the 2026 Brownlow features returning winners, breakout stars, and rising captains all poised to headline the leaderboard.
Recent Winner & Context
In 2025, Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) captured his second Brownlow Medal, capping off a brilliant season defined by consistency, contested possession dominance, and leadership.
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Entering 2026, the competition remains deep — with Nick Daicos, Christian Petracca, Connor Rozee, and Zach Merrett all among the early favorites. The balance between team performance and individual brilliance ensures another tight Brownlow count come September.
Contenders to Watch
🟠 Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
The reigning medalist and model of consistency. His all-round impact, leadership, and durability make him a strong chance to repeat.
⚫⚪ Nick Daicos (Collingwood Magpies)
Explosive ball-winner and elite accumulator. If Collingwood stays among the top four, Daicos could easily top the votes tally.
🔵🔴 Christian Petracca (Melbourne Demons)
Powerful midfielder with scoring ability. Often racks up high-impact games that attract umpire attention.
🔴⚪ Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans)
Emerging superstar known for his work rate and disposal precision. Could break through if Sydney remains consistent across the season.
🟢⚪ Zach Merrett (Essendon Bombers)
Highly efficient and reliable. If Essendon’s form continues to improve, Merrett is excellent value in mid-range odds.
Key Factors to Consider
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Voting Trends: Midfielders dominate, but goal-kicking midfielders earn bonus votes.
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Team Performance: Players from top-six clubs often feature heavily in the final count.
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Consistency: Regular three-vote games matter more than one-off brilliance.
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Injury Management: Availability across 22 rounds remains crucial.
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Weather and Style of Play: Conditions and match tempo can influence vote accumulation.
Quick Summary
Event: AFL 2026 – Brownlow Medal Winner
2025 Winner: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
Betting Focus: Midfield dominance, team success, and vote consistency
Best Sources: AFL.com.au, Fox Footy, Herald Sun, ESPN Australia, Flashscore
This projection chart for BetMod 750 shows the Top 5 wagering options for "Sport" at 2025-11-22 03:23:50. The current order displaying on the Chart above is "Sam Walsh" as the projected winner, "Nick Daicos" is in second place, "Matthew Rowell" is in 3rd place right now, "Marcus Bontempelli" is showing up at 4th from the top, "Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera" is showing up at 5th from the top.