PATRICK Dangerfield is the red-hot favourite for this year's Brownlow Medal, but will need to overcome what is the award's most even field for some time on Monday night.

A strong finish to the season will certainly help Dangerfield's cause, though Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale, Patrick Cripps and Marcus Bontempelli might have a say in the matter.

As will Tim Kelly – his Cats teammate – who could steal a host of votes from Dangerfield, particularly in the first half of the year after making a strong start to the campaign.

AFL.com.au assesses the group of favourites and judges when they could make their run at claiming what is set to be a hotly contested Brownlow Medal on Monday evening.

BROWNLOW PREDICTOR Every game, every vote

Round 2: A certainty to poll maximum votes after winning 37 disposals and kicking two goals against Melbourne.
Round 3: Came up big against his former side Adelaide, winning 32 disposals and 10 clearances. Should again poll maximum votes.
Round 11: Returned with 29 disposals and two goals against Sydney and should be a certainty to poll three votes.
Round 12: Had 38 disposals and a goal in a best on ground display against Richmond, so should pip Ablett for the votes.
Round 17: Had it on a string against St Kilda, winning 32 disposals and nine clearances to go with a goal. Duncan will challenge for maximum votes.
Round 21: Starts to come home like a steam train, racking up 33 disposals and a goal in a dominant display against North Melbourne.
Round 22: Another 36 disposals and a goal, but in a narrow loss to Brisbane. Will need to pip Cameron for maximum votes.
Round 23: Saved his best for last, winning 34 disposals and kicking four goals in a big win over Carlton. Lock him in for three votes.

Round 1: Had 27 disposals and a goal, but Kelly and Stewart were also instrumental in a win over Collingwood.
Round 5: Won 28 disposals and kicked two goals against Hawthorn. Will vie with Kelly and Ablett for the votes.
Round 6: Had 30 disposals and a goal against West Coast, but will have to overcome Ablett to win top votes.
Round 8: Responded with 27 disposals and a goal against North Melbourne, but Kelly, Duncan and Ablett were more influential.
Round 9: Might nick a vote after winning 23 disposals and kicking a goal against the Western Bulldogs. Duncan was best on ground.
Round 19: Kicked two goals to go with 25 disposals against Sydney, but will need to overcome Hawkins, Duncan and Kelly to poll.

Round 4: Held to just 17 touches against GWS. Expect Whitfield and Kelly to win the votes.
Round 7: Held to just eight disposals – his lowest count in nearly a decade – after hurting his knee against Essendon.
Round 10: Didn't play against Gold Coast due to an ankle injury.
Round 13: Bye.
Round 14: Won 27 disposals and a goal, but it came in a loss to Port Adelaide. Expect Lycett, Robbie Gray and Boak to poll the votes.
Round 15: Held to 24 disposals against Adelaide, with Kelly and Selwood dominating in the win.
Round 16: Kicked two goals, but was otherwise pretty quiet in a loss to the Western Bulldogs, with Bontempelli and Macrae going big.
Round 18: Still won 27 disposals, but it came in a shock loss to Hawthorn. Shiels and Worpel were among the best.
Round 20: Limited to just 16 disposals in an upset loss to Fremantle, with Fyfe and Walters dominating.

Brownlow Predictor: 28 votes (1st)
BetEasy Odds: $2.75

Round 1: Had 32 disposals and 10 clearances in a big win over North Melbourne, but will need to overcome McCarthy for the three votes.
Round 5: Returned from a week on the sidelines with 31 disposals in an upset win over GWS. Will vie with Walters for maximum votes.
Round 8: Might have been on the end of a loss to Richmond, but will be among the votes after winning 33 disposals and kicking three goals.
Round 11: Racked up 32 disposals and six clearances in an upset win over Collingwood at the MCG, though Pendlebury and Brad Hill might also poll well.
Round 13: Racked up 37 disposals and 11 clearances in a win over Port Adelaide, but will vie with Walters for the three votes.
Round 20: Should be in line for three votes, having won 27 disposals, 11 clearances and kicked two goals in a surprise win over Geelong.
Round 21: A dominant display in a loss to St Kilda, winning 35 disposals and kicking two goals. Should get maximum votes, despite the defeat.

Round 2: Won another 31 disposals, but in a shock loss to Gold Coast. Sexton and Swallow should poll the votes, but he might nick one.
Round 6: Racked up 30 disposals and a goal against the Western Bulldogs, but will need to see off Mundy and Bradley Hill in order to poll.
Round 7: Won another 32 disposals in a loss to Adelaide. But will need overcome Sloane and Matt Crouch to win votes.
Round 9: Might steal a vote in a loss to Essendon, where he had 24 disposals. Shiel and Merrett were among the best.
Round 10: Had 26 disposals and a goal in an after-the-siren win against Brisbane, but Ryan and Bradley Hill might grab the votes.
Round 15: Had 29 disposals and a goal against Carlton, but Fremantle gave up a big lead to go down with Murphy and Ed Curnow among the best.
Round 17: Kicked three goals to go with 24 disposals in a loss to Hawthorn, though Worpel will likely poll the three votes.
Round 19: Might pip a vote against the Western Bulldogs after winning 33 disposals, but Bontempelli and Macrae were among the best.

Round 3: Had started hot, but was struck down with concussion in a narrow win over St Kilda. Unlikely to poll any votes, with Walters and Ryan among the best.
Round 4: Missed his side's loss to local rivals West Coast due to concussion.
Round 12: Bye.
Round 14: Still won 31 disposals, but is unlikely to poll in a loss to Melbourne where Gawn, McDonald and Oliver were among the best.
Round 16: Won't poll after a big loss to local rivals West Coast, where he was held to just 21 disposals.
Round 18: Didn't play against Sydney due to an infected elbow.
Round 22: A busy display in a loss to Essendon, winning 27 disposals and kicking a goal. However, Shiel and Merrett should be in front of him.
Round 23: Another 27 disposals and a goal, but Fremantle was dour in a loss to Port Adelaide. Wines and Westhoff will poll the votes.

Brownlow Predictor: 25 votes (3rd)
BetEasy Odds: $6

Round 2: Will nab maximum votes after winning 43 disposals and eight clearances in a victory over North Melbourne.
Round 3: A huge chance to grab another three votes, having won 43 disposals and 15 clearances in a victory over Port Adelaide.
Round 9: Should get the votes against Adelaide, having won 39 disposals and 12 clearances.
Round 16: Will likely grab maximum votes after grabbing 31 disposals and a goal in a big win over GWS.
Round 23: Should be among the top vote-winners after grabbing 51 disposals and 14 clearances in a loss to Richmond.

Round 1: Will likely be among the votes, having won 29 disposals and kicked a goal in his first appearance for the club – a big win over West Coast. McCluggage might steal the three.
Round 4: A chance to grab votes after winning 40 disposals, but it came in a big loss to Essendon where McDonald-Tipungwuti and Merrett dominated.
Round 6: Might grab a vote following a win over Gold Coast that yielded 28 disposals and a goal. Robinson and Lyons are his biggest competitors for votes.
Round 7: Won 29 disposals and seven clearances in a win over Sydney, but might be pipped for the votes by Zorko and McCluggage.
Round 11: Has to be a chance for winning a vote after collecting 30 disposals against Hawthorn, though Lyons and Andrews were fantastic.
Round 14: Might sneak into the votes, having won 25 disposals and 11 clearances against St Kilda, but Cameron, Martin and Zorko were also strong.
Round 15: A chance to grab a vote after 38 disposals and 12 clearances against Melbourne, though Zorko and Hipewood were among the best.
Round 18: Might sneak in for a vote after winning 24 disposals in a victory over North Melbourne, but Lyons and Zorko should pip him.
Round 19: Should be among the votes after collecting 33 disposals and a goal against Hawthorn, but Zorko and McCluggage will challenge him.
Round 22: Might jump in for a vote after winning 29 disposals in a narrow victory over Geelong, but Cameron and Dangerfield will poll strongly.

Round 5: Had just 24 disposals – a low number by his standards – in a big loss to Collingwood. Treloar and De Goey were fantastic.
Round 8: Won 30 disposals, but it came in a loss to the Western Bulldogs where Dunkley and Macrae were among the best.
Round 10: Unlikely to be among the votes, despite 26 touches, having been on the end of a loss to Fremantle where Ryan and Bradley Hill were the best.
Round 12: Had 31 disposals against Carlton, but it came during a loss where Cripps and Walsh were brilliant.
Round 13: Bye.
Round 17: Unlikely to be among the votes, having won 24 disposals in a win over Port Adelaide where Zorko and Lyons were great.
Round 20: Held to one of his quieter performances of the season, winning just 20 disposals against the Western Bulldogs. Will be unlikely to get votes.
Round 21: Again limited against Gold Coast, claiming just 21 touches in a game where Cameron and Lyons starred.

Brownlow Predictor: 24 votes (=4th)
BetEasy Odds: $5.50

Round 4: Was fantastic against Gold Coast, winning 30 disposals and kicking two goals, but it came in a narrow defeat.
Round 5: Inspired Carlton's first victory for a long time, racking up 37 disposals and 11 clearances against the Western Bulldogs.
Round 8: Fantastic against Collingwood, collecting 35 disposals, 14 clearances and a goal. Will fight with Grundy and De Goey for the votes.
Round 12: Pencil him in for three votes. Was dominant with 38 disposals and four goals in a drought-breaking win over Brisbane.
Round 19: Lock him in for three votes, having won 39 disposals and a record 19 clearances in a big win over Adelaide.

Round 1: Might be among the votes after winning 32 disposals in a loss to Richmond, though Cotchin and Nankervis were instrumental.
Round 2: A chance for a vote, having won 31 disposals against Port Adelaide, though Lycett and Rockliff were dominant.
Round 3: Will compete with Heeney for the three votes, having collected 28 disposals and 13 clearances in a loss to Sydney.
Round 10: Had 28 disposals and eight clearances in a loss to St Kilda, but will have to fend off Gresham and Steele for votes.
Round 17: Is a chance to get the votes after collecting 28 disposals and eight clearances in a win over Sydney. Will need to overcome Newman and Kreuzer to win the votes.
Round 21: Might sneak in for a vote, despite a loss for Richmond, having won 37 disposals. Graham and Prestia were on another level.
Round 23: Racked up 35 disposals and a goal, but it came in a big loss to Geelong. Dangerfield and Ablett were among the best.

Round 6: Was relatively quiet in a loss to Hawthorn, winning 28 disposals in a game where O'Meara and Shiels dominated.
Round 7: Had 25 disposals and two goals against North Melbourne, but is no chance to poll in a game where his side was smashed.
Round 9: Held to just 12 disposals in a big loss to GWS. No chance of polling.
Round 11: Locked down by a hard tag, limited to just 11 disposals against Essendon. Pass.
Round 13: Came into the game late in a loss to the Western Bulldogs, winning 22 disposals. Won't poll, with Charlie Curnow, Dunkley and Macrae dominant.
Round 14: Bye.
Round 15: Missed the club's victory over Fremantle with a foot injury.
Round 16: Absent for a second straight week due to that foot problem.
Round 18: Didn't produce his best in a win over Gold Coast, claiming just 18 disposals. Ed Curnow and Jones should poll.
Round 20: Unlikely to be among the votes in a loss to West Coast, where he finished with just 24 disposals. Yeo and Shuey were the best.
Round 22: Shouldn't poll despite a win over St Kilda, despite winning 22 disposals after battling an ear infection on the morning of the game. Kreuzer and Casboult were great.

Brownlow Predictor: 26 votes (2nd)
BetEasy Odds: $13

Round 1: Influential in a win over Sydney, where he won 29 disposals and kicked a goal. Will vie with Macrae for maximum votes.
Round 7: A dominant display with 27 disposals and three goals against Richmond. Naughton was fantastic and could challenge him for the three votes.
Round 15: Had it on a string against Port Adelaide, winning 27 disposals and laying 10 tackles in the wet. Should poll three votes.
Round 16: Won 27 disposals and a goal against Geelong, which should be enough to poll maximum votes. Naughton might pip him.
Round 19: Should be among the votes in a win over Fremantle, winning 28 disposals and kicking two goals. Macrae could challenge him.
Round 20: Again incredibly influential, despite a loss to Brisbane. Had 35 disposals and a goal, with Robinson and Macrae also strong.
Round 23: A strong chance to claim all three votes after winning 31 disposals and 10 tackles in a win over Adelaide. He will again vie with Macrae and Dunkley for maximum votes.

Round 2: A chance to poll votes, having won 26 disposals and seven clearances in a win over Hawthorn, but Macrae and Liberatore were also strong.
Round 3: Had 34 disposals, but missed a host of chances in front of goal in a narrow loss to Gold Coast. Will vie for votes regardless, with Martin and Fiorini also good.
Round 4: Should sneak into the votes after winning 36 disposals against Collingwood. Expect Grundy and Phillips to also poll.
Round 8: Had 26 disposals and a goal in a win over Brisbane, but will need to overcome Dunkley and Macrae to get among the votes.
Round 13: Started hot in a win against Carlton, finishing with 27 disposals. Might grab a vote, but it will come after Dunkley and Charlie Curnow.
Round 21: Had 26 disposals in a big win over Essendon, though the Dogs had a number of contributors including Dunkley, Macrae and McLean.
Round 22: Might pinch a vote against GWS, having won 26 disposals and eight clearances. Dunkley and Macrae were again fantastic.

Round 5: Well held in a loss to Carlton, claiming only 24 disposals. Cripps and Petrevski-Seton were among the best.
Round 6: Unlikely to get votes after a loss to Fremantle, where Mundy and Fyfe dominated. He still had 22 disposals and a goal.
Round 9: Don't expect him to be among the votes, despite a couple of goals against Geelong. Duncan and Dangerfield were the most influential.
Round 10: Had 25 disposals and a goal against North Melbourne, but it came in a game where Higgins and Goldstein were dominant.
Round 11: Still won 27 disposals and a goal, but in a heavy loss on the road to West Coast where Darling and Gaff turned it on.
Round 12: Bye.
Round 14: Had 30 disposals, but in a loss to Collingwood. Grundy, Macrae and Treloar were the three best players.
Round 17: Relatively well held against Melbourne, winning just 21 disposals. Expect Dunkley and Hunter to claim the votes here.
Round 18: A dirty night in a loss to St Kilda, where he was limited to just 19 disposals. Don't expect him to poll.

Brownlow Predictor: 22 votes (9th)
BetEasy Odds: $5.50

Round 1: Starred in the first game of the year, winning 31 disposals and nine clears. Should poll maximum votes, though Dangerfield was also good.
Round 2: Will challenge for three votes again, having won 30 disposals and 12 clearances to go with a goal. Dangerfield will again be his biggest competition.
Round 5: Will vie for best on ground, having won 29 disposals to go with two goals against Hawthorn. Dangerfield or Ablett could pinch the votes from him.
Round 7: Racked up 30 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals in a win over Essendon. Will be favourite to poll three votes, though Ablett and Stewart were also good.
Round 8: Continued his superb start to the year, winning 36 disposals, 11 clearances and kicking two goals against North Melbourne. A lock for maximum votes.
Round 10: Won plenty of the footy to claim 35 disposals in a big win over Gold Coast. Might face competition from Duncan and Hawkins for the three votes.
Round 15: Was superb in a win over Adelaide, claiming 33 disposals and two goals. Should poll three votes.

Round 3: Might pinch a couple of votes after winning 24 disposals in a win over Adelaide. Like normal, Dangerfield could steal the three votes.
Round 11: Is a chance to sneak in for a vote, having won 25 disposals and six clearances in a win over Sydney. Dangerfield and Hawkins could take the votes from him.
Round 12: Could again grab a vote, having won 32 disposals and a goal in a big win over Richmond. Might be back in the queue, though, with Dangerfield and Ablett also good.
Round 19: Perhaps his last chance to poll votes, having won 31 disposals in a victory on the road to Sydney. Hawkins and Duncan could challenge him for votes.

Round 4: Was well held by a hard tag against GWS, winning just nine disposals. No chance to poll a vote.
Round 6: A quiet display against West Coast, claiming just 18 disposals. Ablett and Dangerfield will be among the votes.
Round 9: Was well restricted in a victory over the Western Bulldogs, finishing with just 20 disposals. Unlikely to poll, with Duncan and Dangerfield fantastic.
Round 13: Bye.
Round 14: Had just 17 disposals in a quiet display against Port Adelaide, with Lycett and Robbie Gray among the best.
Round 16: Found the footy just 21 times in a loss to the Western Bulldogs, with Bontempelli, Naughton and Macrae set to poll.
Round 17: Was again pretty well held against St Kilda, winning only 19 disposals. Dangerfield and Duncan will be among the votes.
Round 18: Don't expect votes in this one, having claimed just 19 disposals in a loss to Hawthorn. Shiels and Worpel will poll.
Round 20: Had 25 disposals and a goal, but in a loss to Fremantle where Fyfe and Walters were fantastic. Unlikely to poll.
Round 21: Won 24 disposals against North Melbourne, but shouldn't poll well with Dangerfield and Hawkins dominating.
Round 22: Had 26 disposals in a narrow loss to Brisbane, but is unlikely to poll due to the performances of Cameron, Lyons and Dangerfield.
Round 23: Won 24 disposals and kicked a goal in a big win over Carlton, but Dangerfield and Ablett should poll before him.

Brownlow Predictor: 24 votes (=4th)
BetEasy Odds: $26

Round 4: Should poll maximum votes against the Western Bulldogs after winning 22 disposals and 58 hitouts to go with eight tackles. Phillips and Bontempelli were also good.
Round 8: Instrumental in a victory over Carlton, claiming 25 disposals, 48 hitouts and kicking two goals. Will battle with Cripps for maximum votes.
Round 9: Produced another big display against St Kilda, winning 29 disposals, 49 hitouts and seven clearances. It'll be either him or Sidebottom winning the votes.
Round 14: Will grab all the votes against the Western Bulldogs, having won 25 disposals and 50 hitouts to go with two goals.
Round 23: Finishes strongly, claiming 33 disposals and 35 hitouts in a victory over Essendon. Pendlebury was also influential.

Round 2: Might pinch a vote, having won 23 disposals and 27 hitouts against Richmond. Will have to vie with De Goey and Treloar.
Round 3: Can he find a vote despite a loss to West Coast? He won 22 disposals and 40 hitouts, though Gaff and Sheed were instrumental.
Round 6: Should grab at least a couple of votes on Anzac Day after winning 24 disposals and 39 hitouts against Essendon. Pendlebury will take all three, though.
Round 7: Won 22 disposals and 35 hitouts in a big win over Port Adelaide, but Pendlebury and Stephenson were fantastic. Might just sneak a vote.
Round 10: Had 64 hitouts in a tireless display against Sydney. Will that be enough for him to poll? Pendlebury and Treloar were also good.
Round 17: Might pinch a vote in a victory over West Coast on the road that included 22 disposals and 32 hitouts. Mihocek and Yeo were instrumental.
Round 18: Had a big display, but in a big loss to GWS. Won 31 disposals, 11 clearances and 48 hitouts, but Greene, Cameron and Taranto might pip him for the votes.
Round 20: Might pinch a vote following a win over Gold Coast, having won 26 disposals, 43 hitouts and a goal. Treloar and Sidebottom will be ahead of him.

Round 1: Unlikely to be among the votes, having won just 18 disposals in a defeat to Geelong. Kelly and Dangerfield were the best.
Round 5: Had 12 disposals and 31 hitouts in a win over Brisbane, which is a quiet game by his standards. Treloar and De Goey were fantastic.
Round 11: Might have won 21 disposals and 46 hitouts against Fremantle, but a few players will be ahead of him in the queue – including Fyfe and Pendlebury.
Round 12: Held to just 14 disposals in a win over Melbourne. That's quiet by his standards.
Round 13: Bye.
Round 15: Had 23 disposals, but it came in a loss to North Melbourne. Ziebell and Cunnington will take the votes.
Round 16: Limited to only 18 disposals in a loss to Hawthorn. Unlikely to poll.
Round 19: Held to just nine disposals in a loss to Richmond. Won't poll, with Martin going big.
Round 21: Unlikely to be among the votes, despite 44 hitouts against Melbourne. Treloar and Sidebottom will be ahead of him.
Round 22: Probably won't poll, having won just 17 disposals against Adelaide. Elliott and Pendlebury should be among the votes.

Brownlow Predictor: 23 votes (=7th)
BetEasy Odds: $15