<p>It’s the AFL’s night of nights, where the stars of the competition gather at Crown Palladium for the 2025 Brownlow Medal count.</p> <p>After last year’s record-breaking count—where Patrick Cripps stormed to 45 votes in a landslide—we’re expecting things to be a fair bit tighter this time around.</p> <p>Collingwood’s young maestro Nick Daicos is once again a raging favourite to claim his first Brownlow. But he’s not short of challengers. Adelaide’s skipper Jordan Dawson and Geelong’s newest cult hero Bailey Smith have both put together elite seasons.</p> <p>Over on the Gold Coast, the Noah Anderson–Matt Rowell combo continues to impress, while Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s second half of the year could see him surge up the leaderboard late.</p> <p>As always, there’s no shortage of contenders. But who takes home 'Charlie' in 2025?</p> <p>Will it be a runaway winner? A thrilling final round count? Maybe even a tie?&nbsp;</p> <p>For all the Brownlow favourites, smokeys, sleepers, and under-the-radar options, check out our expert Brownlow Medal 2025 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brownlow Medal 2025 – The Favourites</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Nick Daicos</h3> <p>Is this finally the year Daicos gets it done?</p> <p>After two near-misses, the Pies star didn’t miss a game in 2025 and was the glue holding Collingwood together through a wobbly final third of the season. He’s already a proven vote magnet and will easily top the Magpies' count.</p> <p>The only question is: does he land on the podium—or on the very top step?</p> <p>We’re tipping the latter.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jordan Dawson</h3> <p>The Crows skipper is the biggest challenger to Daicos, following an excellent season, putting him right in the frame to become the club's second Brownlow Medallist.&nbsp;</p> <p>A standout performer that mirrored his side's rise from the bottom four to the minor premiership, Dawson elevated himself from a “very good player” to be among the game's elite.&nbsp;</p> <p>We suspect he won’t drop out of the top handful the whole way through.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Bailey Smith</h3> <p>The Cats’ boom recruit went bang in his first season in the Hoops. And, he’s set himself to have a red-hot run at adding a Brownlow Medal to his first incredible season off a knee reconstruction.&nbsp;</p> <p>He’ll have no problem polling three votes, with several best on ground performances already this year, and his long locks make him hard to miss on the field.</p> <p>Will missing three games throughout the season come to hurt him, though?&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Noah Anderson</h3> <p>A breakout season for the Suns skipper: first year as captain, first All-Australian blazer, first finals campaign—and maybe his first Brownlow?</p> <p>He’s been a consistent star through the middle for Gold Coast and will rack up votes across the board. The only question is: how many of those will his best mate, Matt Rowell, steal from him?<br /> &nbsp;</p> <h3>Matt Rowell</h3> <p>Rowell is a proven vote getter. His first three games of his career told us that.</p> <p>He polled 25 votes last year in a good individual season. This year, he levelled up again, which can only mean he’ll garner some more votes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Will likely be fighting with his best mate, Noah Anderson, for maximum votes in most games. It will be a fun little duel to watch on the night.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brownlow Medal 2025 – Smokeys, Sleepers, and Under the Radar Options</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera</h3> <p>The Saints ace forced himself into the conversation of one of the best players in the game, and among the smokeys for the Brownlow after a stellar second half of the season.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints not winning many games in the first half of the year might cost him a genuine shot at the medal, but with his exceptional second half of the season, a placing is definitely on the cards for ‘Nasiah the Messiah’</p> <p>Have a look at him to be among the top voters in the second half of the season.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Marcus Bontempelli</h3> <p>We don’t think the ‘Bontlow’ will happen this year. The chances of that happening went up in smoke when he nicked his calf in the pre-season and missed the first five games.&nbsp;</p> <p>But it didn’t stop him from putting up some ridiculous games that are sure to get some attention from those casting the votes.</p> <p>A proven vote getter, and has featured prominently on this night without quite getting over the line. We think he falls short again here, but his final performance will only further enhance how much of an all-time great he is.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Caleb Serong</h3> <p>The Dockers' stars' remarkable consistency and ball-winning ability have kept him among the contenders for the Brownlow after another brilliant season.&nbsp;</p> <p>As the cornerstone of Fremantle’s midfield, Sarong’s performances have driven the Dockers to some of their big wins. What might count against him is how easily taggable he has been in the games that the opposition has put significant time into him.</p> <p>We think he’s good for a top 10 finish, though, especially considering the Dockers' strong home and away season.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jai Newcombe</h3> <p>After 24 votes and a top 10 finish last season, a top five finish is not out of the question for Jai Newcombe in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>While he isn’t flashy like many others in his team, he’s the one who does the grunt work and explodes out of the middle. He’s shown his tendency to get votes in the past, so we’re sure that he’ll catch plenty on the way through here. Especially after the season Hawthorn has had.&nbsp;</p> <p>He’s certainly the sleeper in the field.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brownlow Medal Betting Odds 2025</h2>