Brownlow Medal 2025 – Will Daicos, Smith, or Dawson Shine?
The countdown to the 2025 Brownlow Medal has everyone in the footy world buzzing, and it feels like we’re on the brink of a new era. For years, the medal has been dominated by names like Patrick Cripps, Lachie Neale, and Nat Fyfe, but this season the spotlight has shifted firmly to the next generation. At the heart of the conversation is Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, who enters the night as the hot favourite.
Daicos has already built a reputation as a vote magnet. He burst onto the scene with a record-breaking season last year, only to be pipped at the post by Cripps. This year, experts believe he doesn’t even need to replicate that incredible tally to win. Champion Data projections suggest he could pull in three votes in nine matches alone, which would put him in striking distance early. If he gets rolling in those first six rounds, he may well be too far ahead for anyone else to catch.
Also Read:But the beauty of the Brownlow is that nothing is guaranteed. Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson has been singled out as the main challenger. Dawson led the Crows to a minor premiership, collected maximum coaches’ votes in several matches, and stood tall in a side without too many other vote-stealers in the midfield. If the umpires noticed his consistency, he could be the one to keep Daicos honest deep into the night.
Then there’s Geelong’s Bailey Smith, whose flair and energy made him one of the most watchable players of the season. Not only did he share the coaches’ award with Noah Anderson, but he also stormed into the All-Australian team in his very first year at the Cats. Smith may not have polled big numbers in the past, but this was his breakout season. If he’s within touching distance going into the final month, his late surge could make things very interesting.
Gold Coast’s duo, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell, add another layer of intrigue. Both were superb and often caught the eye, but the question is whether they will steal crucial votes off each other. History shows it’s not impossible for teammates to succeed together, yet in such a tight field, it could prove costly.
And don’t forget the smoky picks. St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has been tipped to finish with a burst of late votes, potentially pushing into the top five. Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage and Fremantle’s Caleb Serong are also lurking as consistent pollers who might surprise if the medal is won on a lower tally this year.
The odds have Daicos at $2.50, Smith at $5.00, Dawson at $7.00, and Anderson close behind. Rowell, Serong, Wanganeen-Milera, and others are further out but still in the frame. Whatever happens, the 2025 Brownlow feels like a changing of the guard. For the first time in years, a new name is almost certain to be etched into the history books, and Monday night could officially crown the face of the AFL’s next era.
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