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Brownlow Medal 2026 | Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions
The Brownlow Medal is the most prestigious individual award in Australian rules football, presented annually to the AFL’s best and fairest player. At BettingPro, our expert writers cover Brownlow Medal odds, betting tips and predictions throughout the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership season.
With the 2026 season underway, the Brownlow Medal betting market is already active across Australian bookmakers. Midfielders from winning teams historically dominate the vote count, and this year’s race is shaping up to be one of the most open in recent memory.
Brownlow Medal 2026 Odds
The Brownlow Medal odds market shifts throughout the season as players put together consistent performances. Matt Rowell won the 2025 Brownlow Medal with 39 votes for Gold Coast, becoming the first Sun to claim the award. Early-season form provides a guide, but the true contenders typically emerge through the middle rounds when the votes pile up.
Historically, midfielders from top-eight teams have the best chance of winning. Players who consistently poll best-on-ground votes in wins — rather than dominant performances in losses — tend to poll the most votes come Brownlow night.
Key contenders for the 2026 Brownlow Medal will become clearer as the season progresses. Keep an eye on high-disposal midfielders from Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs and the other contending sides.
Compare Brownlow Medal odds across Picklebet, Dabble, Neds, Ladbrokes and bet365 for the best prices.
How the Brownlow Medal Works
The Charles Brownlow Medal is awarded to the fairest and best player in the AFL each season. After every home-and-away match, the four field umpires confer and award 3 votes to the best on ground, 2 votes to the next best, and 1 vote to the third-best player.
On Brownlow night — held five days before the AFL Grand Final in September — the votes are tallied from every match of the season. The player with the highest total wins the medal, provided they meet eligibility criteria.
Any player who receives a suspension during the home-and-away season is automatically ineligible. The medal can also be rescinded retrospectively if a player is found to have breached the rules. In the event of a tie, joint winners are declared — there is no countback.
Brownlow Medal Betting Markets
Australian bookmakers offer a wide range of Brownlow Medal betting markets throughout the season:
Winner: Bet on the outright winner of the Brownlow Medal. The most popular market, with odds shifting weekly as player form fluctuates.
Exacta / Trifecta: Predict the top two (Exacta) or top three (Trifecta) finishers in the vote count. Higher odds with bigger payouts.
Top 3 / Top 5: Back a player to finish in the top 3 or top 5 of the final vote count. A safer option than picking the outright winner.
Top Team Votes: Bet on which player will poll the most Brownlow votes for each AFL club. Available for all 18 teams.
Head-to-Head: Pick which of two nominated players will poll more Brownlow votes across the season.
Brownlow Medal Tips: How to Pick a Winner
Player form and consistency: Look for midfielders who consistently perform at a high level. Players like Patrick Cripps and Lachie Neale have won multiple Brownlow Medals by polling votes across the majority of rounds — not just in occasional standout games.
Team performance matters: Players on winning teams attract more votes. A best-on-ground performance in a loss is often overlooked by umpires. Target star players from the top eight.
Historical trends: Inside midfielders who accumulate high disposal counts dominate the Brownlow. Ruck-mids and wingmen occasionally win, but contested-ball players are the most consistent vote-getters.
Suspension risk: A mid-season suspension eliminates a player entirely. Consider the temperament and discipline of your pick — the Brownlow rewards the fairest as well as the best.
Best Bookmakers for Brownlow Medal Betting
All major Australian bookmakers offer Brownlow Medal betting markets throughout the season. Our top picks:
- OnlyBets
- Dabble — Social betting, share and copy bets
- Picklebet — Great odds and same game multi builders
- Ladbrokes — Deep markets and live streaming
- BetNow
- Neds — Competitive odds and user-friendly app
- bet365 — Widest market range globally
For a full comparison, check our best betting sites in Australia guide.
Brownlow Medal Winners
Every Brownlow Medal winner since the AFL was formed in 1990:
|
Year |
Player |
Team |
Votes |
| 2025 | Matt Rowell | Gold Coast | 39 |
|
2024 |
Patrick Cripps |
Carlton |
45 |
|
2023 |
Lachie Neale |
Brisbane |
31 |
|
2022 |
Patrick Cripps |
Carlton |
29 |
|
2021 |
Ollie Wines |
Port Adelaide |
36 |
|
2020 |
Lachie Neale |
Brisbane |
31 |
|
2019 |
Nat Fyfe |
Fremantle |
33 |
|
2018 |
Tom Mitchell |
Hawthorn |
28 |
|
2017 |
Dustin Martin |
Richmond |
36 |
|
2016 |
Patrick Dangerfield |
Geelong |
35 |
|
2015 |
Nat Fyfe |
Fremantle |
31 |
|
2014 |
Matt Priddis |
West Coast |
28 |
|
2013 |
Gary Ablett Jr |
Gold Coast |
28 |
|
2012 |
Sam Mitchell Trent Cotchin |
Hawthorn Richmond |
26 |
|
2011 |
Dane Swann |
Collingwood |
34 |
|
2010 |
Chris Judd |
Carlton |
30 |
|
2009 |
Gary Ablett Jr |
Geelong |
30 |
|
2008 |
Adam Cooney |
Western Bulldogs |
24 |
|
2007 |
Jimmy Bartel |
Geelong |
29 |
|
2006 |
Adam Goodes |
Sydney |
26 |
|
2005 |
Ben Cousins |
West Coast |
20 |
|
2004 |
Chris Judd |
West Coast |
30 |
|
2003 |
Mark Ricciuto Nathan Buckley Adam Goodes |
Adelaide Collingwood 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 |
James Hird Michael Voss |
Essendon Brisbane Bears |
21 |
|
1995 |
Paul Kelly |
Sydney |
21 |
|
1994 |
Greg Williams |
Carlton |
30 |
|
1993 |
Gavin Wanganeen |
Essendon |
18 |
|
1992 |
Scott Wynd |
Footscray |
20 |
|
1991 |
Jim Stynes |
Melbourne |
25 |
|
1990 |
Tony Liberatore |
Footscray |
18 |
Brownlow Medal FAQs
When is the 2026 Brownlow Medal?
The 2026 Brownlow Medal count is held five days before the AFL Grand Final in September 2026. The exact date will be confirmed by the AFL later in the season.
What are the main Brownlow Medal betting markets?
The most popular markets include outright winner, exacta/trifecta, top 3/top 5 finish, top team votes, and head-to-head matchups between nominated players.
Can a suspended player win the Brownlow Medal?
No. Any player who receives a suspension during the home-and-away season is automatically ineligible for the Brownlow Medal, regardless of how many votes they poll.
Can there be a tie in the Brownlow Medal?
Yes. If two or more players finish with the same highest number of votes, they are declared joint winners. There is no countback or tiebreaker system.
Who won the 2024 Brownlow Medal?
Patrick Cripps of Carlton won the 2024 Brownlow Medal with a record 45 votes, claiming his second Brownlow after also winning in 2022.
Where can I find Brownlow Medal betting tips?
BettingPro.com.au provides free Brownlow Medal betting tips and odds analysis throughout the 2026 AFL season. Our AFL hub has all the latest coverage.