THE HALF-WAY VOTING - Who'll Be Leading after Round 12?

Jobe Watson, like his Essendon side, exploded out of the blocks in 2011. Injury prevents the Bombers skipper scoring in rounds 9-11 but standout performances against the Bulldogs (Rd1), Saints (Rd3), Suns (Rd6) and Eagles (Rd7) should put him in the shake for the halfway prize. Dean Cox will also be in the mix after dominating in rounds one to three, as well as being the standout in round 11. Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury deserves an honourable mention, too, consistent in his side's strong start to the year, while North's Daniel Wells could be a smokey (polling particularly well in the AFL Coaches Association award till Rd 12.) These are the likeliest contenders to the Carlton pair of Chris Judd and Marc Murphy. Carlton's midfield guns hit their targets early in 2011, with Murphy - the favourite with TAB Sportsbet - likely to poll strongly against Richmond (Rd1), Adelaide (R5), and Melbourne (R10). Judd, an umpire's favourite, performed strongly throughout the year but particularly so against the Tigers (R1), Suns (R2), Crows (R5) and Demons (R10). The outcome may come down to how many votes the Blues midfielders take from each other.

CLUB BY CLUB ANALYSIS

ADELAIDE

A one-horse race, this one. Scott Thompson had 633 possessions this season, 140 more than the nearest teammate (Van Berlo). It's not as if was an outside player getting the easy kicks either; Thompson had the most tackles at the club as well. And he's won plenty of Brownlow votes over the past five years. Ruckman Sam Jacobs, a big improver, and Graham Johncock could fill the minor placings.

Best Crow in Show: Scott Thompson
Next Best: Sam Jacobs/Graham Johncock

BRISBANE

The evergreen Simon Black shapes as the favourite here. A proven friend of the umps, having had three top-two Brownlow finishes previously, Black had most possessions at the club (and invariably they were effective) ahead of Tom Rockliff, who is his only danger. Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger and Jack Redden are worthy of honourable mentions.

Lion King: Simon Black
Next Best: Tom Rockliff/Matthew Leuenberger

CARLTON

A race in two, with Chris Judd expected to edge out fellow midfielder Marc Murphy, although the AFL Coaches had Murphy on top of their poll (with Judd No.2) until Round 20 when the vote became a secret ballot. Bryce Gibbs will also poll well, as will Andrew Walker (50 goals), Heath Scotland (dash from half back) and Eddie Betts (45 goals).

Blue Ribbon: Chris Judd
Next Best: Marc Murphy

COLLINGWOOD

Again, likely to be a race in two: between Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury. Swan had most possessions and kicked 30 goals; Pendlebury was No.2 in possessions and No.2 in tackles. Interestingly, Pendlebury was ranked fourth in the Coaches Association award (until Rd 20) while Swan was not in the top 10. Travis Cloke will score votes for his huge season (62 goals, most marks), as will Leon Davis for his standout year.

Hottest Pie: Scott Pendlebury
Next Best: Dane Swan

ESSENDON

A tricky one: Brett Stanton had most kicks, Dyson Heppell the most marks and handballs, Stewart Crameri the most goals and Ben Howlett most tackles. But captain Jobe Watson, with his brilliant but unobtrusive work under the umpires' noses, will probably lead the way for the Bombers. Heppell and the under-rated David Zaharakis to fight out the minor placings.

Is Don, Is Good: Jobe Watson
Next Best: Dyson Heppell

FREMANTLE

The spindly, boyish figure of Nat Fyfe could - and should - be the Dockers' leading vote-winner after an astonishingly good season. The 19-year-old had most possessions at the Dockers, ahead of Matthew Pavlich, and was ranked 11th in the Coaches Association award after 20 rounds (before it became secret ballot). Luke McPharlin had an excellent year in defence but won't be recognised by the umpires; perhaps goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne will rival Pavlich for second place.

Freo, Way to Go: Nat Fyfe
Next Best: Matthew Pavlich, Hayden Ballantyne

GEELONG

In the absence of Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood is favourite to be Geelong's leading vote getter but a four-game suspension rules him out of contention for the medal. Steve Johnson kicked six goals or more three times and could be a chance to upset the future captain, but we reckon James Kelly is a sneaky chance to knock them all off.

Top Cat:           Joel Selwood
Next Best:        James Kelly

GOLD COAST

He might have changed clubs but Gary Ablett remains a ball magnet. A potential vote winner in at least 13 games and a confirmed umpire favourite. But will struggle for threes by being on the losing side so often.

Rising Sun:        Gary Ablett
Next Best:        Michael Rischitelli

HAWTHORN

Sam Mitchell would be a genuine medal chance but for a minor round five bump on Steve Johnson. Consistent over the journey, he could be overtaken by Cyril Rioli's infrequent but eye-catching performances - or possibly even Buddy Franklin's Coleman Medal-winning form.

Flying Hawk:    Sam Mitchell
Next Best:        Cyril Rioli/Buddy Franklin

MELBOURNE

Brent Moloney's early season form was the high water mark in a desperate year for the Demons. Typically, he is ineligible for the medal. Not much to like from the rest but Colin Sylvia played well when Melbourne won.

Dangerous Demon:    Brent Moloney
Next Best:                    Colin Sylvia

NORTH MELBOURNE

With Andrew Swallow, Daniel Wells, Drew Petrie, Todd Goldstein and Jack Ziebell all enjoying strong campaigns, the Kangaroos are a difficult side to predict. Swallow's consistency and hardness should see him through, but it's unlikely to be by much given that Wells was ranked highest of the Roos in the AFL Coaches Association award.

King Kanga:     Andrew Swallow
Next Best:        Todd Goldstein/Daniel Wells

PORT ADELAIDE

Justin Westhoff could conceivably win this race for being a shoo-in for the three votes against Adelaide in round four, one of only two games Port has won all year. Otherwise, Travis Boak did as much as anyone to limit the carnage.

Power Lifter:    Travis Boak
Next Best:        Justin Westhoff

RICHMOND

Trent Cotchin's fourth year of AFL football has been a breakthrough. A future club captain, Cotchin and young midfield partner, Dustin Martin, have breathed life into Tigerland. Brett Deledio's quiet but classy efficiency may also be worth considering.

Eye of the Tiger:   Trent Cotchin
Next Best:             Brett Deledio/Dustin Martin

ST KILDA

The Saints can suffer on Brownlow night with players sharing votes around a strong midfield group. However, shorn of Lenny Hayes and other stars under par for much of the year, Nick Dal Santo's class has shone through.

The Saint:         Nick Dal Santo
Next Best:        Sam Fisher

SYDNEY

Dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes has had another stellar year and is in with a chance of making it a hat-trick of individual honours. His bombastic presence guarantees his good form does not go unseen and with up to seven three-vote chances a realistic possibility, the Swan could be in for a long night.

Royal Swan:     Adam Goodes
Next Best:        Jude Bolton

WEST COAST

Dean Cox could be the first ruckman to take home the Brownlow medal since Scott Wynd in 1992. Ranked third for total hitouts, Cox also has 17 goals ‘resting' forward. His ruck partnership with Nic Naitanui could redesign the position. Daniel Kerr, Matt Priddis and Andrew Embley were the main beneficiaries of their work, and will fight over second place.

Golden Eagle:  Dean Cox
Next Best:        Daniel Kerr/Matt Priddis

WESTERN BULLDOGS

In a tough year for the Doggies, captain, Matthew Boyd, has remained a tower of strength. Ranked first in total disposals for the competition, the skipper could have been a major medal chance but for his team's poor win-loss record.

Top Dog:          Matthew Boyd
Next Best:        Ryan Griffen