There were a number of easy wins in Round 23 but the highlight was not one, but two draws over the weekend! Collingwood and Hawthorn couldn't be separated for the second time this season, while Carlton were more than happy to walk away with a draw against the Western Bulldogs to lock up a Wildcard berth. While the top ten are locked in, there's one more week to determine the final ladder positions - expect to see planty of players managed next week!
As usual, we’ll share our thoughts from every match of the AFL season, along with our Brownlow vote predictions and projections using our own system which has a proven profitable history over many years. For full details on how it works, see the section at the bottom of the page. We hope you'll use our free Brownlow tips to help you find value during the season and built a green book before the big night.
For links to every round of the season and full count, head to our 2026 Brownlow Medal Leaderboard page and check out the latest Brownlow Odds.
2026 AFL Brownlow Round 23 Overview
The Pies didn't get the win but a draw will be enough for Nick Daicos to poll more votes and extend his lead at the top of the Brownlow leaderboard.
Errol Gulden is finishing with a rush with potentially his fourth best-on-ground performance in a row, while Patrick Cripps, Bailey Smith, Izak Rankine, Isaac Heeney, Caleb Serong and Will Ashcroft are other contenders likely to have their name read out on Brownlow night for Round 23 votes.
Check out our 2026 Round 23 Brownlow votes below and our updated 2026 Brownlow leaderboard here!
2026 AFL Brownlow Votes - Round 23 Match Analysis
Fremantle 16.16.112 def Adelaide 13.10.88
The Crows were in it all the way but the Dockers proved their class to come away with the victory. Caleb Serong (29 disposals, 12 clearances, 2 goals) was excellent, with great support from Andrew Brayshaw (27 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal) and Shai Bolton (27 disposals, 1 goal). Luke Jackson (20 disposals, 9 tackles, 33 hitouts) was huge in the ruck while Jye Amiss (5 goals, 9 disposals) collected another bag. However best on ground was arguably Izak Rankine who was once again superb with 39 disposals, 9 marks, 6 tackles, 10 clearances and 1 goal.
Izak Rankine - 3
Caleb Serong - 2
Andrew Brayshaw - 1
Richmond 6.9.45 def by St Kilda 14.10.94
A largely uninspiring game saw the Saints do what they had to do to keep their Wildcard hopes alive. Brad Hill (41 disposals, 11 marks) and Max Hall (40 disposals, 10 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal) ran wild to amass huge numbers, while Hugo Garcia (30 disposals, 9 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 goal) and Jack Macrae (32 disposals, 10 marks, 12 clearances) were also prolific. Cal Wilkie (21 disposals, 12 marks) and Jack Silvagni (20 disposals, 9 marks) were rocks in defence while Mitch Owens (5 goals, 14 disposals, 7 marks) played one of his best games up forward. Dion Prestia retired on a good note as he collected 27 disposals in his final game for the Tigers.
Brad Hill - 3
Max Hall - 2
Mitch Owens - 1
North Melbourne 17.8.110 def by Geelong 19.11.125
An amazing game at Marvel saw the Kangaroos burst out of the blocks to lead by 38 points at quarter time but the Cats quickly reeled it in and held on like the powerhouse team they are. Mark Blicavs (18 disposals, 17 hitouts, 3 goals) was the difference as he quietened the dominance of Tristan Xerri (17 disposals, 11 tackles, 28 hitouts, 11 clearances) in the ruck after quarter time while also hitting the scoreboard. Bailey Smith (34 disposals) was typically busy, while Shaun Mannagh (20 disposals, 6 marks, 3 goals) and Ollie Dempsey (24 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal) were also important. Jye Simpkin (26 disposals, 8 clearances, 2 goals) and Finn O’Sullivan (25 disposals, 8 tackles, 7 clearances) were best for the Roos, while Nick Larkey (5 goals, 10 disposals) was back in form.
Mark Blicavs - 3
Jye Simpkin - 2
Bailey Smith - 1
Brisbane 14.11.95 def Gold Coast 6.17.53
The Lions did enough to come away with an easy win against the Suns in the Q-Clash with Will Ashcroft winning the Medal for best afield for his 31 disposals, 8 marks and 1 goal. Dayne Zorko (25 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal), Levi Ashcroft (26 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal) and Zac Bailey (27 disposals, 8 marks) all won plenty of ball while Logan Morris (4 goals, 13 disposals, 7 marks) was again strong up forward. Matt Rowell (28 disposals, 8 clearances) was best for the Suns.
Will Ashcroft - 3
Dayne Zorko - 2
Levi Ashcroft - 1
Hawthorn 13.14.92 drew with Collingwood 13.14.92
Lightning struck twice with Collingwood and Hawthorn playing out their second draw of the season! Draws are always tricky with votes but no doubt Nick Daicos (36 disposals, 1 goal) will have to be mentioned. Beau McCreery (22 disposals, 12 tackles, 1 goal), Josh Daicos (30 disposals) and Sam Swadling (29 disposals, 7 marks) were all very good for the Pies. Jarman Impey (25 disposals, 7 marks) was the stand out for the Hawks.
Nick Daicos - 3
Beau McCreery - 1
Josh Daicos - 1
Jarman Impey - 1
Port Adelaide 8.8.56 def by Melbourne 20.12.132
The Dees were too strong for the Power as they march towards September full of confidence. Kade Chandler (18 disposals, 9 tackles, 4 goals) had a day out in his 100th match, with Jack Steele (27 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal), Max Gawn (25 disposals, 22 hitouts, 9 clearances) and Bailey Fritsch (15 disposals, 4 goals) all impressive. Ollie Wines (31 disposals, 7 tackles, 8 clearances) and Joe Richards (29 disposals, 6 marks, 9 clearances) won plenty of ball for Port while Mitch Georgiades (15 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals) was strong up forward.
Kade Chandler - 3
Jack Steele - 2
Ollie Wines - 0.5
Max Gawn - 0.5
GWS Giants 16.15.111 def West Coast 7.15.57
The Eagles were up early but the Giants rallied to run away with a big win. Lachie Ash (36 disposals, 11 marks) and Lachie Whitfield (33 disposals, 9 marks) were prolific while Harvey Thomas (20 disposals, 2 goals) and Toby Greene (16 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals) provided the spark. Jack Graham (26 disposals, 8 tackles), Tim Kelly (28 disposals, 8 clearances) and Harley Reid (25 disposals, 8 clearances) tried hard for the Eagles.
Lachie Ash - 3
Lachie Whitfield - 2
Harvey Thomas - 1
Western Bulldogs 12.10.82 drew with Carlton 12.10.82
A second draw for the round saw the Blues happy to hold on for the two points to secure their Wildcard spot. Patrick Cripps (34 disposals, 6 tackles, 12 clearances) led from the front, with Sam Walsh (33 disposals) and Blake Acres (32 disposals, 10 marks, 1 goal) both very important late. Ed Richards (31 disposals, 6 clearances, 2 goals) had an excellent match in the absence of Marcus Bontempelli, with Tom Liberatore (33 disposals, 12 clearances) also finding some of his best form. Votes could go to any combination of about six players here.
Patrick Cripps - 2.5
Ed Richards - 2.5
Sam Walsh - 0.5
Blake Acres - 0.5
Essendon 11.10.76 def by Sydney 17.10.112
The Swans did enough to secure second spot on the ladder with a comfy win over the Bombers to end the round. Errol Gulden (47 disposals, 8 clearances) is shortening his odds for next year’s Brownlow as he’s now had four best-on-ground matches in a row according to our tally. Chad Warner (23 disposals, 3 goals) and Isaac Heeney (29 disposals, 9 marks, 7 tackles, 7 clearances, 3 goals) should round out the pretty obvious vote getters for this match. Will Setterfield (32 disposals, 8 clearances, 1 goal) was good for the Bombers.
Errol Gulden - 3
Chad Warner - 1.5
Isaac Heeney - 1.5
For those who need a refresher on how our Brownlow vote predictor system works, we assign 6 votes per game so that our total votes are the same as the official 3-2-1 system, however we break up those votes as we see fit across potentially more than three players. Some games are really tough to call which way the votes will go, so a better predictive model is to split performances and assign half points to each player where there is doubt. So for example if two players dominate and it's too hard to split their performance, they are given 2.5 votes each, with the remaining 1 vote given to another player(s). This will give us a predictive total closer to their true total, rather than guessing. We can then form a 'range' for each player (i.e. a min and max we think players can poll) with the thinking behind this that the variations from the half votes will even out over the long term.
If you intend on using our Brownlow votes to bet why not consider one of the best Australian sports betting sites which offer some great features for new customers. Also be sure to check out our Twitter page at @Before_You_Bet and continue returning to the site for our AFL tips.
