Every club's best and fairest favourite for 2019

We've dissected every club's list and come up with who we think will be bearing a B&F around their neck at season's end. Adelaide - Matt Crouch (Malcolm Blight Medal) Finishing second to All-Australian rebounding-defender Rory Laird last year, the bulky midfielder is set for another big season. Putting yet another pre-season under his belt, the 23 year-old will have to fight off fellow midfielders Rory Sloane, Bryce Gibbs as well as Laird to claim his second Malcolm Blight Medal. We all know he is certainly up for it. [caption id="attachment_15244" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Matt Crouch of the Crows is tackled by Mitch Wallis of the Bulldogs during the 2017 AFL round 16 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Western Bulldogs at the Adelaide Oval on July 07, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Brisbane - Lachie Neale (Merret-Murray Medal) Brisbane's star recruit will look for a big first season at the Lions after being traded from Fremantle over the summer. Neale brings two B&Fs from the Dockers but will have to put up his A-game if he is to poll more votes then captain Dayne Zorko, who has won the past four Merret-Murray Medal's. [caption id="attachment_25194" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: Lachie Neale poses during a Brisbane Lions AFL Media Opportunity at the Swan River on October 19, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Carlton - Patrick Cripps (John Nicholls Medal) The recently appointed skipper is the outright favourite to take out the Blues 90 year-old Medallion after All-Australian defender Sam Docherty ruptured his ACL yet again last December. Cripps has turned into one of the league's premier midfielders and will look to attain his third John Nicholls Medal. [caption id="attachment_21315" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Acting Captain Patrick Cripps of the Blues walks to the coin toss during the 2018 AFL round eight match between the Carlton Blues and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 12, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Collingwood - Steele Sidebottom (Copeland Trophy) In what has to be the closest race to a Pies B&F in it's 92-year history, Sidebottom will bill be eyeing off his third-straight trophy after tying with All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy last season. The 28 year-old has got plenty competition for the coveted award with the addition of Dayne Beams as well as fellow stars Adam Treloar, Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury and Taylor Adams. There us no shortage of talent at the Holden Centre, and there is a half dozen or so guys that could easily win the Copeland. [caption id="attachment_24726" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Steele Sidebottom of the Magpies in action ahead of Tim Kelly of the Cats during the 2018 AFL round eight match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 13, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Essendon - Zach Merrett (Crichton Medal) The 23 year-old has had an impressive first five seasons at Tullamarine, already claiming the honours as a Crichton medalist in just his third year at the club. The 103-gamer will work closely with star recruit Dylan Shiel to help boost the Dons midfield. A second Crichton Medal will definitely be in the back of the left-footers mind. [caption id="attachment_14505" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Zach Merrett of the Bombers in action during the 2017 AFL round 18 match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on July 22, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Fremantle - Nat Fyfe (Doig Medal) The Brownlow medalist is looking at a tough role in the midfield in 2019 with the departure of two-time Doig medalist Lachie Neale. Fyfe is a among the favourites to take out the 2019 Brownlow Medal, meaning the 27 year-old is a shoe-in to take home his third Doig Medal. [caption id="attachment_20672" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Nat Fyfe of the Dockers contests the ball during the round nine AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Fremantle Dockers at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] GWS Giants - Stephen Coniglio (Kevin Sheedy Medal) The Western Australian product has been a star in his eight seasons in the western suburb's of Sydney without ever claiming a B&F. Coniglio is now 25 and in the prime of his career which will certainly help him on his way to winning his first Kevin Sheedy Medal. He faces plenty of competition with the amount of talent the Giants always have on their list. [caption id="attachment_15867" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Stephen Coniglio of the Giants lookls on during a Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL training session at Sydney Olympic Park on August 10, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)[/caption] Geelong - Patrick Dangerfield (Carji Greeves Medal) The holy trinity of star's consisting of Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield were unable to live up to expectations in 2018. None of the three won Geelong's B&F as key defender Mark Blicavs bopped up and claimed the honours by just half a vote. Dangerfield lost 4kg when he returned to the track in 2019 and has reportedly completed one of his best pre-seasons, setting him up for a massive 2019. The ex-Crow could even add a second Brownlow Medal to his tally. [caption id="attachment_22840" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats handballs during the round 21 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Gold Coast - David Swallow (Gold Coast Club Champion) The Suns are stacked with young talent in 2019 and will be lead by co-captain David Swallow, who looks primed to add his his second Club Champion Medal. Following the departures of Jarryd Lyons and Aaron Hall, the former No. 1 pick will have to lead the Suns' engine room. It is time for Swallow to live up to his potential. [caption id="attachment_24968" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: David Swallow of the Suns in action during the round 22 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Hawthorn - Jaeger O'Meara (Peter Crimmins Medal) After reigning Brownlow and Peter Crimmins medalist Tom Mitchell was struck down with an ACL injury, the door opened wide for another midfielder to claim the Hawks' highest honour. O'Meara is yet to win a B&F and after a breakthrough 2018 season, 2019 look like his best chance. The 24 year-old was hampered with injury woes early in his career that seem to have put them behind him. [caption id="attachment_26451" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: Jaeger O'Meara of the Hawks kicks the ball during the round 13 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Melbourne - Max Gawn - (Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy) The All-Australian ruckman claimed the award last season for his outstanding role in the Dees' campaign. The addition of Braydon Preuss is certainly going to make Gawn's role interesting. Could we see the 27-year old enter the forward line and boot a bunch of goals? Gawn will be made to earn this award with the likes of Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and Nathan Jones at his feet. [caption id="attachment_21957" align="alignnone" width="683"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Max Gawn of the Demons marks the ball during the round 17 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 14, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] North Melbourne - Shaun Higgins (Syd Barker Medal) The 30 year-old is entering the sunset years of his career but has still been able to produce a classy brand of footy since joining the Roos at the end of the 2014 season. Higgins is the reigning Syd Barker medalist after claiming the honours for the second time last year. With star recruits Jared Polec and Aaron Hall joining the Roos' engine room, will we see Higgins spend even more time up forward? If Higgins can continue a clean bill of health and maintain an exciting brand of footy, expect to see him with a third B&F around his neck. [caption id="attachment_25974" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Shaun Higgins of the Kangaroos runs with the ball during the round 21 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Port Adelaide - Tom Rockliff (John Cahill Medal) A slightly left-field option considering the former Lions skipper had a quiet first year in the black, white and teal nursing a shoulder injury. With Ollie Wines in doubt for the first few rounds of the season, Rockliff will have to carry the midfield load left by the young star. While three-time winner Robbie Gray enters the latter part of his career and play more forward, Rockliff is left with a permanent midfield gig. Can Rockliff have the season every Port fan hopes for? [caption id="attachment_20527" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 7: Tom Rockliff of the Power celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 03 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval on April 7, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Richmond - Dustin Martin (Jack Dyer Medal) The superstar had a quieter year compared to his dominant 2017 that saw him win almost every award up for grabs. Martin will have to compete with new star-recruit Tom Lynch, reigning Jack Dyer medalist Jack Riewoldt and skipper Trent Cotchin for the honours, but is more than capable. Martin could go one step further and add a second Brownlow this season. [caption id="attachment_23980" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Dustin Martin of the Tigers in action during the 2018 AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] St Kilda - Sebastian Ross (Trevor Barker Award) The Saints ball magnet had an outstanding 2018 season, averaging 30.1 disposals from 21 games. His efforts weren't quite enough to edge out now four-time winner Jack Steven, who claimed the honours by 16 votes. With Steven set to miss time with mental health issues, Ross now looks ready to take on the mantle as the club's apex midfielder. [caption id="attachment_19372" align="alignnone" width="683"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Sebastian Ross of the Saints is tackled during the round five AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Etihad Stadium on April 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney - Jake Lloyd (Bob Skilton Medal) Edging out injured powerhouse forward Lance Franklin and midfield bulls Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy, rebounding defender Jake Lloyd claimed Sydney's B&F for the first time in 2018. The 25-year old averaged 27.8 disposals in 2018, a personal best out of his five years at the Swans. Watch for Lloyd to make further improvements this year. [caption id="attachment_23687" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Jake Lloyd of the Swans marks during the round 20 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Collingwood Magpies at Sydney Cricket Ground on August 4, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] West Coast Eagles - Andrew Gaff (John Worsfold Medal) After being suspended for eight weeks for striking Fremantle youngster Andrew Brayshaw, Gaff will look to make amends for his mistake that caused the 26 year-old to miss the Eagles' 2018 premiership triumph. Yeo claimed the John Worsfold Medal last year, marking his second consecutive B&F at the Eagles. Set to return in round three, Gaff averaged 30.7 disposals in 2018 and will look to bounce back in a big way this season. [caption id="attachment_24311" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Andrew Gaff of the Eagles passes the ball during the round 20 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on August 5, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Western Bulldogs - Jack Macrae (Charles Sutton Medal) The 24 year-old Bulldog was eyeing off his first B&F before being struck down with a hamstring injury in round 13 that caused him to miss a month of footy. The premiership Bulldog was still a very strong chance to win the prestigious award, averaging 32.8 disposals but was nabbed at the line by fellow left-footer Lachie Hunter by one vote. Macrae will be one to watch on the field as well as a Brownlow fancy in 2019. [caption id="attachment_23317" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Jack Macrae of the Bulldogs runs with the ball during the round 21 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	1	1	0	4	191.3
2	GC	1	1	0	4	181.2
3	GWS	1	1	0	4	128.4
4	COLL	1	1	0	4	118.2
5	HAW	2	1	1	4	117.1
6	WB	1	1	0	4	104.7
7	CARL	2	1	1	4	70.9
8	BL	1	0	1	0	95.5
9	RICH	1	0	1	0	94.7
10	STK	1	0	1	0	84.6

Every club’s best and fairest favourite for 2019

Who’s in line to take out you’re club’s highest individual honour?

Gold Coast - David Swallow (Gold Coast Club Champion)

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

FULL TIME: Essendon vs Hawthorn – Round 1, 2026

FINAL TEAMS: Essendon vs Hawthorn – Round 1, 2026

Richmond forward cops one week ban

AFL Teams Round 1 2026: Full team line-ups

“Indoctrinated hatred”: Inside Line in the Sand, Lloyd’s infamous Sewell hit

FOLLOW US