Brownlow Medal Betting

The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal (and informally as “Charlie”), is awarded to the “best and fairest” player in the AFL during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating umpires after each game. It’s arguably the most prestigious award for individual players in the AFL. It is also widely acknowledged as the highest individual honour in the sport of Australian Rules Football. Much of the football supporting public consider the Leigh Matthews Trophy, which is awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the year and is voted on by the AFL Players Association, to be a more accurate reflection of the best player of the year.
2012 Brownlow Medal Odds
I will be updating the odds regularly throughout the season. Check back here after the completion of round 1.
Tips for Betting on the Brownlow
At the beginning of each year, there are always some players at great odds to take home the Brownlow Medal. Here are some things to take into account when trying to find a roughie for the Charlie.
- Bet on players in teams that will feature in the top 8.
Generally speaking, the winner of the Charlie will be from a team in the top 8. - Pick players that don’t have too much team competition.
Being able to identify stand-out players in average to good teams can be an absolute gold-mine in tipping both the Brownlow medalist winner, and the more exotic betting options such as win/place, top 5 and most votes from each team type betting. - Select players who will play in the midfield.
Many people call the Brownlow a “midfielders medal”, as those who play in the forward line, ruck or in defense rarely get noticed as much as the major ball-winners. Historically, midfielders poll a large percentage more votes than players in any other position. As the adage goes, the game is won and lost in the midfield. - Find midfielders that are likely to avoid a hard tag.
Some outstanding players can handle a hard tag, while others will benefit in Brownlow votes from having a team-mate who’s considered more damaging by the opposition coach, therefore avoiding the first tag and having more room to gather the pill and catch the eyes of the umpires. - Take a punt on breakout contenders.
In order to get the very best odds possible on the Brownlow medal, you need to place your bets before the season starts, or at the very latest, during the first several weeks of the fixture. Watching the pre-season games can give you a rough idea about a player entering their 5th or 6th year of regular footy who has had a role change, or is about to step up into the true ‘elite’ players of the game. - Look at durability over past seasons.
Some players are a lot more durable than others, and one missed game through injury may very well cost your player an addition to the trophy cabinet. Obviously, you don’t want players that have a history of reports and suspensions as the medal is awarded to the best and fairest player of the year. If a player is suspended, they are disqualified from winning the award, even if they are voted the best player of the year. - Look at recent polling history.
This is especially true if the votes and/or team are on the rise. Some players just don’t attract the attention of umpires, or may be fairly or unfairly treated differently due to the umpires’ perception or public image of a player. Others seem to nearly get a vote for simply stepping onto the field. Research how many votes a player has won in past years and see if there is a trend upwards. If there is also a probability of getting more votes due to retirements, role changes, more experience and so on, you may have found yourself a good candidate.
2011 Brownlow Medal Results
| Name | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Dane Swan | Collingwood | 34 |
| Sam Mitchell * | Hawthorn | 30 |
| Nick Dal Santo | St Kilda | 28 |
| Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood | 24 |
| Matthew Boyd | Western Bulldogs | 24 |
| Chris Judd | Carlton | 23 |
| Gary Ablett | Gold Coast | 23 |
| Lance Franklin * | Hawthorn | 20 |
| Matt Priddis | West Coast | 19 |
| Marc Murphy | Carlton | 19 |
Chris Judd was an unbackable favourite heading into the 2011 Brownlow, after last years poor polling and an injury affected season, Dane Swan was paying $16 on the night. Last year Dane Swan was too short to back and ended up being out-polled by Chris Judd. Fortunes were reversed in an upset that defies all logic and reason.
Statistics, information and resources
- AFL.com.au LIVE Brownlow Tracker
One of the best things on the AFL web site, detailed statistics, see the votes as they happened. - FootyWire’s Brownlow Medal Page
My favourite resource site for checking past statistics on the Charlie.
Past Brownlow Medal Winners & Total Votes
| Year | Player | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Dane Swan | Collingwood | 34 |
| 2010 | Chris Judd | Carlton | 30 |
| 2009 | Gary Ablett | Geelong | 30 |
| 2008 | Adam Cooney | Western Bulldogs | 24 |
| 2007 | Jimmy Bartel | Geelong | 29 |
| 2006 | Adam Goodes | Sydney | 26 |
| 2005 | Ben Cousins | West Coast Eagles | 20 |
| 2004 | Chris Judd | West Coast Eagles | 30 |
| 2003 | Mark Ricciuto | Adelaide | 22 |
| 2003 | Nathan Buckley | Collingwood | 22 |
| 2003 | Adam Goodes | Sydney | 22 |
| 2002 | Simon Black | Brisbane Lions | 25 |
| 2001 | Jason Akermanis | Brisbane Lions | 23 |
| 2000 | Shane Woewodin | Melbourne | 24 |
| 1999 | Shane Crawford | Hawthorn | 28 |
| 1998 | Robert Harvey | St Kilda | 32 |
| 1997 | Robert Harvey * | St Kilda | 26 |
| 1996 | Michael Voss * | Brisbane Bears | 21 |
| 1996 | James Hird | Essendon | 21 |
| 1995 | Paul Kelly | Sydney | 21 |
For the best and fairest winners prior to 1995, check here
.
Latest Brownlow Medal News
- Judd looks to ‘Pies for tips on coping with loss of star – The Australian Monday, 21 May 2012
It had an immediate impact on an individual basis, with Murphy drifting from single-figure odds for the Brownlow Medal to $26. Reigning Brownlow medallist Dane Swan, who will miss at least a fortnight. […] - What AFL can learn from other sports – The Roar Monday, 21 May 2012
The AFL has the Brownlow Medal (the midfielders’ award) and the Coleman for leading goal scorer, but nothing for the defensive player of the year. Think of Dustin Fletcher, Darren Glass, Matthew Sca. […] - AFL Rising Star watch – Round 8 – sportsnewsfirst.com.au Monday, 21 May 2012
Under AFL Rising Star rules, if a player is found guilty of a match misconduct charge and suspended, he is ineligible for the young players’ award, the same as in the prestigious Brownlow Medal. Gre. […] - No decision on Hooper – Brisbane Times Monday, 21 May 2012
The ACT Brumbies will have to wait until tomorrow morning before finding out if Michael Hooper is free to play against the Queensland Reds on Saturday night. Hooper fronted a SANZAR judiciary hearing. […] - O’Connor ruled out of Tests – Sydney Morning Herald Monday, 21 May 2012
Wallabies star James O’Connor must wait four weeks before returning to contact training, ruling him out of Australia’s mid-year Tests against Scotland and Wales. O’Connor underwent scans on his lacera. […] - Cold not likely to stop Origin ironman – Brisbane Times Monday, 21 May 2012
Ironman hooker Cameron Smith has missed just one of the past 25 State of Origin matches so it’s a safe bet a cold won’t stop him leading Queensland in Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash with NSW.. […] - Geeks get ticket to ride on bus of start-up dreams – The Age Monday, 21 May 2012
BART JELLEMA is confident. ”We have a working product, a very defined market, it’s very clear where our exit is as well, so from an investor perspective … it’s a no-brainer.” But he has already ma. […] - Golden Eagle – AFL Monday, 21 May 2012
WEST Coast coach John Worsfold says he is proud of the role he has played in the Eagles’ revival both on-field and off-field as he prepares to reach his record-breaking game at the peak of his powers.. […] - 'Dangerfield toughness second to none' Monday, 21 May 2012
Adelaide Crows midfielder Bernie Vince labels teammate Patrick Dangerfield as one of the AFL’s toughest players. - Sons of guns Sunday, 20 May 2012
Western Bulldogs fans caught a solid glimpse into the future as three famous names shone in Darwin - Pies bury wasteful Cats Friday, 18 May 2012
COLLINGWOOD may have consigned Geelong’s top-four hopes to rubble but will today count the cost of an injury-marred win over the Cats. - Six most improved players Friday, 18 May 2012
SIX THINGS: The AFL has had a number of big improvers this season. Here’s our look at half a dozen of the best.







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What a great blog and informative article. I think I’ll have a punt on this years Brownlow, I’m thinking Gary Ablett wone the year after he deserved it, then Dane Swan won the year after he deserved it, therefore this year should be Scott Pendlebury’s turn to win the Charlie. Although Sam Mitchell has a good chance as well, he seems to be the best polling Hawk and they look set for a good year.