AHEAD of tonight’s Brownlow Medal count, we’ve identified the Melbourne players most likely to poll in each game of the home and away season.
2018 All-Australians Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver appear to be Melbourne’s best bet to bring home the award, which hasn’t been won by a Melbourne player since Shane Woewodin in 2000.
Let’s take a look back at our standout performers for each game this year.
Round 1: Melbourne v Geelong Cats
Most likely to poll: Max Gawn
He might’ve had a tough ending to the game, when he missed the chance to kick the winning goal in the dying stages, but his game was still outstanding. Gawn smashed 47 hit outs – his opponent Zac Smith had 23 – while he finished with 20 touches and took a team-high three contested marks.
Also a chance: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Clayton Oliver.
Round 2: Brisbane Lions v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Jesse Hogan
Hogan was outstanding for the Demons, booting a game-high five goals. The 23-year-old set the tone with two majors in the opening term and stood up in the final quarter, when the game was on the line, adding another two goals. His tackle and chase on Lion Cedric Cox was an absolute beauty.
Also a chance: Jeff Garlett, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca.
Round 3: Melbourne v North Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Max Gawn
Gawn had 50 hit outs against North Melbourne, while claiming 18 disposals and six marks. He easily won the hit outs against another All-Australian, Todd Goldstein, who had 15.
Also a chance: Jesse Hogan, Dean Kent, Christian Petracca.
Round 4: Hawthorn v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Max Gawn
The ruckman again had another day out against the Hawks, claiming 66 hit outs, 16 disposals and three contested marks. One of Melbourne’s shining lights in an otherwise dismal loss to Hawthorn.
Also a chance: Clayton Oliver, Nathan Jones, Dean Kent.
Round 5: Melbourne v Richmond
Most likely to poll: Clayton Oliver
Oliver was Melbourne’s leading ball-winner with 31 disposals – 16 of which were contested. Also applied pressure well with six tackles against the Tigers.
Also a chance: Jake Melksham, Jake Lever, Max Gawn.
Round 6: Essendon v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Max Gawn
The ruckman continued his outstanding season in round six, with 42 hit outs. His work in the middle was first class, with Melbourne dominating the centre clearances. He took six marks and pushed forward again, kicking two cracking banana goals from the pocket – much to the delight of one Essendon fan!
Also a chance: Mitch Hannan, Christian Salem, Neville Jetta.
Round 7: St Kilda v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Jesse Hogan
Continued his outstanding season against the Saints, which was acknowledged by coach Simon Goodwin post-match, after he booted a game-high three goals and finished with 25 disposals.
Also a chance: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw.
Round 8: Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Tom McDonald
In just his third game back, after missing two months with a foot injury, the tall utility played an outstanding match to help set-up the win. Starting on the wing and then pushing forward, McDonald kicked an equal career-best five goals against the Suns, including four in the first half.
Also a chance: James Harmes, Clayton Oliver, Max Gawn.
Round 9: Carlton v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Jake Melksham
Not only played his best game for Melbourne, but arguably his finest AFL match, after kicking a career-best five goals. Melksham was superb against the Blues, booting a goal in each quarter, including two in the third. He also finished with 21 touches, including 14 contested possessions.
Also a chance: Nathan Jones, Tom McDonald, Alex Neal-Bullen.
Round 10: Melbourne v Adelaide Crows
Most likely to poll: Angus Brayshaw
Played his best AFL match against the Crows, notching up a career-best 37 disposals, 14 marks and three goals, including one after the final siren. It was an outstanding display from the young midfielder, who has had to endure several setbacks in his emerging career.
Also a chance: Jesse Hogan, Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver.
Round 11: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Tom McDonald
McDonald continued his brilliant form with another four goals, giving him 19 goals from six games. Again, playing in attack and on the wing, McDonald was pivotal in the second term with two majors, when Melbourne hit the front and regained the lead to ultimately set-up the victory. Had 24 disposals, 11 marks and 12 scoring involvements.
Also a chance: Jesse Hogan, Angus Brayshaw, Neville Jetta.
Round 12: Melbourne v Collingwood
Most likely to poll: Clayton Oliver
Oliver had 31 disposals, 10 tackles and six clearances to be one of Melbourne’s best contributors on the Queen’s Birthday in a disappointing loss to the Magpies.
Also a chance: Clayton Oliver, Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones.
Round 14: Port Adelaide v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Jack Viney
The co-captain had a game-high 31 disposals, including 20 contested possessions and 14 clearances. His ferocious style of play was once again evident.
Also a chance: Tom McDonald, Max Gawn, Michael Hibberd.
Round 15: Melbourne v St Kilda
Most likely to poll: Max Gawn
Clearly Melbourne’s best player against St Kilda at the MCG. Gawn had a season-high 25 disposals, including 13 contested possessions. His work-rate around the ground was outstanding, and he also finished with 39 hit outs.
Also a chance: Angus Brayshaw, Bayley Fritsch, Jack Viney.
Round 16: Melbourne v Fremantle
Most likely to poll: Clayton Oliver
‘Clarry’ was terrific against Fremantle in Darwin recording 35 touches, seven inside 50s and two goals in the second quarter. Defensively, Oliver also had an impact with seven tackles.
Also a chance: Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw.
Round 17: Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Most likely to poll: Angus Brayshaw
Notched up an equal career-best 39 disposals, including 22 in the second half, when Melbourne set-up the win. Brayshaw also had 16 contested possessions and six clearances in an excellent display.
Also a chance: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Jesse Hogan.
Round 18: Geelong Cats v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Clayton Oliver
Oliver was once again brilliant. He notched up a career-best 40 disposals, winning 13 by quarter-time. Continues to bely his age and games experience.
Also a chance: Jordan Lewis, Christian Petracca, Tom McDonald
Round 19: Adelaide Crows v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Clayton Oliver
‘Clarry’ continued his brilliant season, winning a team-high 31 disposals, including 25 contested possessions. Further enhanced his All-Australian claims with another outstanding performance with 14 clearances.
Also a chance: Max Gawn, Alex Neal-Bullen, Angus Brayshaw.
Round 20: Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns
Most likely to poll: Clayton Oliver
‘Clarry’ was outstanding yet again, and brilliant when Melbourne set the game up in the opening term. He had 11 of his 31 disposals by quarter-time and impressed in attack with 2.2. Oliver also took 11 marks.
Also a chance: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Dom Tyson.
Round 21: Melbourne v Sydney Swans
Most likely to poll: Clayton Oliver
The midfielder played another superb contested game against Sydney, recording 12 tackles and 13 contested possessions. Oliver’s tackle count was the highest of his career and the most by any Demon in 2018.
Also a chance: Angus Brayshaw, Tom McDonald, Dom Tyson.
Round 22: West Coast v Melbourne
Most likely to poll: Max Gawn
Surely, more Brownlow Medal votes are on the way for the giant ruckman, after he was arguably best-on-ground with 20 disposals, five marks (including three contested) and 39 hit outs. Outstanding yet again.
Also a chance: Jake Melksham, James Harmes, Angus Brayshaw.
Round 23: Melbourne v GWS Giants
Most likely to poll: Max Gawn
Another best-on-ground display from the big man against the Giants. Not only did he finish with 37 hit outs, 18 disposals and a goal – he finished the home and away season with 1000 hit outs. Gawn is the first ruckman in VFL/AFL history to achieve the feat in the home and away season.
Also a chance: James Harmes, Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver.
