Following the outcome of last year's recording-breaking count, it's seemingly harder than ever to predict how the Brownlow Medal race will unfold.
The 2024 count saw the previous single-season votes record under the 3-2-1 format shattered by two players, with Carlton captain Patrick Cripps going on to claim his second Brownlow with a staggering 45 votes.
Cripps will again be a leading contender for this year's award but will have plenty of competition from some of the game's household names.
Here we name seven leading options for the 2025 Brownlow Medal and a further three who could make a late charge.
7. Matt Rowell
The Suns gun was among last year's Brownlow surprises, with Rowell polling 25 votes to finish seventh in the 2025 count.
Rowell bookended his season with strong form, amassing three-vote games in his first two appearances before ending it with nine votes in a four-game stretch.
He would tally just one more three-vote game for the season, adding to three two-vote performances and a single one-vote outing.
If Rowell, who is now entering his fifth season on the Gold Coast, can find consistency through the middle of this season while also continuing the trends of 2024, he could be ready to upset others on this list.
Gold Coast have a favourable fixture this year that should see them contend for finals and beat their wins record of last season, likely aiding Rowell's prospects.
The 2019 Pick 1 selection will have some competition from close mate Noah Anderson, who has polled 50 votes over the past three seasons - headline by 22 votes in 2023 - while San Flanders managed a dozen votes in 2024 also.
