ANZAC Day is always a special day on the Australian calendar, and the spectacle of Collingwood against Essendon always attracts a massive crowd to the MCG. This year was no exception with Scott Pendlebury winding back the clock with a vintage performance at the ripe old age of 38. While Gold Coast and the Bulldogs are in freefall, the Swans, Lions and Dockers are all looking very dangerous at the top of the ladder after Round 7, while the Giants and Power recorded important wins for their season ahead.
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 7 Overview
Scott Pendlebury may have taken the ANZAC Day Medal but Nick Daicos will still be in the Brownlow votes in Round 7 to help extend his lead at the top of the leaderboard. Marcus Bontempelli may also get votes, despite a horror loss for the Dogs, while Jai Newcombe, Jason Horne-Francis, Luke Jackson, Lachie Neale and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera are also climbing on the back of excellent performances in Round 7.
Check out our 2026 Round 7 Brownlow votes below and our updated 2026 Brownlow leaderboard here!
2026 AFL Brownlow Votes - Round 7 Match Analysis
Western Bulldogs 9.6.60 def by Sydney 18.18.126
The ANZAC Round kicked off with the wounded Bulldogs going down to the Swans. Once again the key forwards destroyed the Dogs’ defence with Charlie Curnow kicking a bag of 7 goals from 15 disposals and 8 marks. Tom Papley (23 disposals, 1 goal) and Chad Warner (20 disposals, 7 tackles, 3 goals) were dynamic while Brodie Grundy (18 disposals, 35 hitouts, 2 goals) was a force in the ruck. Marcus Bontempelli was incredible for the Dogs early and finished with 29 disposals, 6 clearances and 2 goals.
Charlie Curnow - 3
Marcus Bontempelli - 2
Chad Warner - 1
Richmond 11.6.72 def by Melbourne 19.12.126
The Dees smashed the Tigers on Friday night with Kysaiah Pickett outstanding with 29 disposals, 6 clearance and 4 goals in a clear best-on-ground performance. Tom Sparrow (28 disposals, 8 tackles, 9 clearances, 1 goal), Caleb Windsor (25 disposals, 2 goals) and Jack Steele (25 disposals) were busy in the middle for the Dees, while Dion Prestia (28 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances) was best for Richmond.
Kysaiah Pickett - 3
Tom Sparrow - 2
Caleb Windsor - 1
Hawthorn 16.16.112 def Gold Coast 9.9.63
A game that ebbed and flowed saw the Hawks run away in the end to extend their dominance in Launceston. Jai Newcombe (30 disposals, 6 tackles, 12 clearances), Karl Amon (31 disposals, 8 marks) and Jarman Impey (28 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal) were prolific while Jack Gunston (5 goals, 15 disposals, 9 marks) continues to hit the scoreboard. Noah Anderson (31 disposals) was busy for the Suns.
Jai Newcombe - 3
Jack Gunston - 2
Jarman Impey - 0.5
Karl Amon - 0.5
Essendon 9.6.60 def by Collingwood 20.17.137
The traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster between Essendon and Collingwood once again attracted more than 90,000 people to the MCG to see Scott Pendlebury wind back the clock in a big win for the Pies. Pendlebury’s 43 disposals, 10 marks, 19 score involvements and 2 goals saw him win his 4th ANZAC Day Medal. Nick Daicos (42 disposals, 8 marks, 8 clearances), Josh Daicos (35 disposals, 8 marks) and Jordan De Goey (18 disposals, 3 goals) were also influential in the win. Archie Roberts (42 disposals, 9 marks) racked up plenty of touches for the Bombers.
Scott Pendlebury - 3
Nick Daicos - 2
Josh Daicos - 0.5
Jordan De Goey - 0.5
Port Adelaide 13.17.95 def Geelong 10.5.65
The Power flexed at home to be too strong for the Cats. Jason Horne-Francis is putting together a great season as he racked up 34 disposals, 6 marks, 12 clearances and a goal. Zak Butters (30 disposals) and Jase Burgoyne (27 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal) won plenty of ball while Mitch Georgiades (19 disposals, 10 marks, 4 goals) had 10 shots on goal to be a dominant force up forward. Bailey Smith (30 disposals, 7 marks) was again the best for the Cats.
Jason Horne-Francis - 3
Mitch Georgiades - 2
Zak Butters - 1
Fremantle 16.7.103 def Carlton 13.11.89
The Blues were right in the game at three-quarter time, but Shai Bolton (33 disposals, 8 tackles, 2 goals) turned the game with a blistering last quarter to give the Dockers the win. Luke Jackson (21 disposals, 6 tackles, 31 hitouts, 2 goals) wasn’t fair behind, while Corey Wagner (27 disposals) and Andrew Brayshaw (26 disposals, 10 tackles) were also good. Sam Walsh (32 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal) and Patrick Cripps (31 disposals, 7 tackles, 11 clearances, 1 goal) tried hard for the Blues.
Shai Bolton - 3
Luke Jackson - 2
Patrick Cripps - 0.5
Sam Walsh - 0.5
St Kilda 22.11.143 def West Coast 5.12.42
The Saints landed a percentage-boosting win against the Eagles and had winners all over the ground. Hugo Garcia (32 disposals, 9 clearances, 2 goals), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (34 disposals) and Marcus Windhager (25 disposals, 11 marks, 2 goals) won plenty of ball in the middle, while Callum Wilkie (25 disposals, 16 marks) was once again a wall across half-back. Jack Higgins finished things off with 5 goals from 14 disposals. Willem Duursma (25 disposals, 11 marks) continues to prove his talents with another good game for the Eagles.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera - 3
Hugo Garcia - 2
Jack Higgins - 1
Brisbane 19.13.127 def Adelaide 11.9.75
It was a vintage performance by the reigning Premiers as the Lions dispatched the Crows in impressive fashion. Lachie Neale (42 disposals, 13 marks) was excellent, with Will Ashcroft (36 disposals, 8 marks, 13 score involvements, 1 goal), Zac Bailey (29 disposals, 9 marks, 7 clearances, 3 goals) and Charlie Cameron (15 disposals, 4 goals) all likely to contend for votes. Jordan Dawson (28 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals) was best for the Crows.
Lachie Neale - 3
Will Ashcroft - 1.5
Zac Bailey - 1.5
GWS Giants 15.15.105 def North Melbourne 14.14.98
It was a close contest all day but the Giants landed a much-needed win against a gallant Kangaroos. Toby Greene (28 disposals, 8 clearances, 2 goals) was outstanding, with Lachie Ash (30 disposals, 7 marks, 757 metres gained), Lachie Whitfield (32 disposals, 6 marks) and Brent Daniels (21 disposals, 6 marks, 6 clearances, 1 goal) also important. Tristan Xerri (25 disposals, 12 tackles, 25 hitouts, 10 clearances) returned to make a big impact for the Roos, while Harry Sheezel (32 disposals, 1 goal) won plenty of ball.
Toby Greene - 3
Lachie Ash - 2
Tristan Xerri - 1
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.
