The focus of Grand Final week will briefly turn from football to fashion tonight, with the 2015 Brownlow Medal being held this evening at Crown Palladium.
Docker Nat Fyfe remains the hot favourite to take home Charlie, after an outstanding season that saw him win the AFLPA’s Most Valuable Player Award.
For Carlton, captain Marc Murphy is widely tipped to poll the most votes.
Murphy finished runner-up to Patrick Cripps by just one vote in Carlton’s best and fairest.
The skipper copped a heavy tag for most of the year, but remained prolific in the midfield, leading by example before a shoulder injury saw his season end prematurely.
The most votes Murphy has ever polled at the Brownlow was 19, which was back in 2011. His career tally of Brownlow votes stands at 81.
Meanwhile after a breakout season young gun Patrick Cripps could also poll for the Blues.
The 20-year-old finished runner-up for the Rising Star award before winning Carlton’s John Nicholls Medal.
The last time a Carlton player won the Brownlow was when Chris Judd claimed his second in 2010.
The retired champion earned a total of 209 Brownlow votes during his much-decorated 279-game career.
Ineligible players due to suspension: Bryce Gibbs, Nick Holman, Chris Yarran
Carlton players attending the Brownlow: Kade Simpson, Marc Murphy, Tom Bell, Zach Tuohy, Sam Docherty, Dennis Armfield, Chris Judd
THREE VOTES ON THE CARDS?
Patrick Cripps/Marc Murphy v St Kilda, Round 4
It was almost impossible to split these two on Anzac Day in Carlton's first win of the season. Murphy led the disposal count with 34 to win the Crowl-McDonald Medal as the best on the ground, but Cripps' performance was equally impressive: the young gun had 33 touches and a game-high 11 tackles, with a goal to add. The evenness in the midfielders' performances was reflected in them receiving eight votes each in the AFL coaches' votes.
Marc Murphy with the Crowl-McDonald Medal. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Marc Murphy v Adelaide, Round 10
The Blues may have narrowly missed out on the four points, but the skipper was simply sensational with a game-high 36 disposals, as well as five tackles and five marks. What made Murphy's performance even more commendable was that he stood up without the support of Chris Judd, who went down in the first half with an ACL injury. Murphy will face stiff competition from Crows forward Josh Jenkins, who booted five goals in a winning team.
Patrick Cripps v Port Adelaide, Round 12
If the reaction on social media to his performance was anything to go by, Cripps is surely a lock for the three votes here. His game-high 31 disposals and 12 tackles were sensational, but it was his ability to stand up under pressure and deliver the four points for the Blues that would have made the biggest impression on the umpires. Oh, and he received a perfect 10 votes from the coaches too.
VIDEO: Cripps' masterclass against the Power
Tom Bell v Gold Coast, Round 13
The big-bodied midfielder will be hard to beat here, recording 32 quality disposals and impressing with his intensity and hard running. He also received a maximum 10 votes from the coaches.
Patrick Cripps v Collingwood, Round 19
Pies star Dane Swan will be expected to take the three votes with his 41 disposals, 10 marks and three goals, but stranger things have happened. When the game looked dead and buried, it was Cripps who willed the Blues to within inches of a stirring come-from-behind victory. He finished with a career-high 35 disposals, and his final quarter was so dominant that he was double-teamed by Swan and Scott Pendlebury in the centre bounce in the latter stages. He'll face stiff competition from teammate Marc Murphy, who was another shining light with 36 touches and two goals.
VIDEO: Cripps puts on a clinic against the Pies
Patrick Cripps/Matthew Kreuzer v Melbourne, Round 21
Kreuzer played his best game of the season - and one of the best of his career - in the win over Melbourne, recording 17 disposals, 22 hitouts and three high-quality goals. Cripps, however, was the standout in the coaches' eyes, receiving a perfect 10 votes. It remains to be seen whether the umpires will favour the ruckman or midfielder.
VIDEO: Kreuzer dominates the Dees
- with Julian Trantino
