As the final round draws closer, so too does the number of players in with a realistic chance at winning. According to my phantom tally last week, approximately 14 players were statistically in the running to take home the coveted Brownlow Medal. However, after this week we see that number slashed to just 6.
And as we head into Round 21, Judd has leapfrogged Hodge to claim the winning position - which is also the first time Hodge has given up the top spot; having held it since Round 12. But with a lead of only 2 votes, Judd must maintain his current form and hope that Carlton can put in solid performances against Geelong and Freo if he is to hold on and win his second Charlie. Even if say Ablett were to recieve 6 votes in the remaining two rounds to follow, if my calucalations are correct, Judd will need to at least poll another 4 votes if he is to guarantee himself the win outright or share the honours, depending on how other players poll.
With Mark Thompson finally realising that Ablett plays his best footy in the middle, as he did last week against the Dogs, Gazza is showing signs that he's back to his effective best. As I stated way back in Round 8, it could very well turn out to be a battle between Judd and Ablett afterall. And with their teams meeting this Friday night, that battle could very well be decided as early as this weekend.
Essendon V Collingwood
3. S. Pendlebury
2. T. Cloke
1. J. Blair
Carlton V Richmond
3. C. Judd
2. H. Scotland
1. M. Murphy
Fremantle V Sydney
3. D. Hannebery
2. S. Mumford
1. G. Broughton
Western Bulldogs V Geelong
3. G. Ablett
2. J. Selwood
1. S. Johnson
Port Adelaide V West Coast
3. K. Cornes
2. D. Cassisi
1. D. Cox
Brisbane V Adelaide
3. R. Douglas
2. K. Tippett
1. S. Black
Hawthorn V Melbourne
3. B. Sewell
2. S. Burgoyne
1. L. Franklin
North Melbourne V St. Kilda
3. N. Riewoldt
2. B. Goddard
1. J. Gram
24 - C. Judd (+)
22 - G. Ablett (+)
22 - L. Hodge
21 - L. Hayes
21 - S. Pendlebury (+)
18 - D. Swan
17 – J. Selwood (+)
16 - M. Boyd
16 - J. Bartel
15 – A. Goodes
Note: (*) Ineligible. (+) Ranking Rise. (-) Ranking Drop.
Still enjoying the blog Walker, well done for sticking to it and producing some top quality work. My count's up on the Bigfooty forum (echelon22) but in short Swan-25, Ablett-24, Hodge-22, Judd-21, Selwood-19, Pendlebury-18. The first 2 I think are very vulnerable so the smart money for mine is on Judd/Hodge/Pendlebury
ReplyDeleteCheers mate, good to hear I at least have one repeat reader. Haha! :D
ReplyDeleteI really like the look of your count, I guess the only real sizable difference between yours and mine is Swan and Pendlebury. The latter of the two has really surprised me, and am now a little doubtful he'll be equal leader at this stage going into Round 21.
But my thinking behind his lead is that I think Pendles will take a majority of the votes off Swan, which is why those two are pretty much in the exact reverse order in my tally as opposed to yours.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your own writeup on your final tally come the conclusion of the H&A season next week.