The glitz and the glamour of the Brownlow Medal will descend on Crown Palladium tonight, as AFL players gather for the count to determine this year’s fairest and best in the league.

Geelong’s Joel Selwood will start the night as the outright favourite at $2.70 with sportingbet.com.au, ahead of Gold Coast Suns skipper Gary Ablett who the bookies have at $4.00. Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray, Hawthorn’s Jordan Lewis and Sydney’s Josh Kennedy round out the top five.

But with a field that’s seemingly wide open, anything is possible.

After winning the John Nicholls Medal as Carlton’s Best and Fairest, Bryce Gibbs is likely to poll the most votes for the Blues. Gibbs’ most consistent season to date saw him average the most disposals in the team, as well as lead the centre clearances and tackle count. 

Matches Gibbs may poll in include:

·      Round 5: 28-point win over the Western Bulldogs in which Gibbs gathered 29 disposals, laid five tackles and kicked a goal

·      Round 8: 32-point win over St Kilda in which Gibbs gathered 38 disposals, six marks and five tackles

·      Round 12: 5-point loss to Geelong in which Gibbs gathered 29 disposals, three marks, six tackles and four goals

·      Round 18: 23-point win over North Melbourne in which Gibbs gathered 27 disposals, three marks, five tackles and two goals

·      Round 20: 39-point win over the Gold Coast in which Gibbs gathered 28-disposals, six marks, five tackles and a goal

Other Carlton players likely to attract votes include captain Marc Murphy, vice-captain Kade Simpson, deputy vice-captain Michael Jamison, speedster Chris Yarran and dual Brownlow medalist Chris Judd.