Can anyone beat Nat Fyfe for the 2015 Brownlow Medal?

2015 AFL Brownlow Medal, Monday, September 28, 2015, 7.30pm AEST, Watch on Seven Network

A BROWNLOW Medal win for Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe would be a dagger in the heart of bookmakers across Australia.

The flamboyant midfielder has been hammered by the punters and, as such, it would be their worst result if Charlie was draped around Fyfe’s neck on Monday.

sportsbet.com.au’s Christian Jantzen said Fyfe had been backed consistently all season.

“Fyfe has twice as much money riding on him compared to Matt Priddis, who’s the second most popular,” Jantzen told cupsbetting.com

“Fyfe opened the year at $7 and got into as short as $1.57, but his late season injury has seen him drift to $2.

“The Dockers’ star will clearly be our biggest payout should he take home Charlie.”

WilliamHill.com.au’s Tim Ashworth echoed Jantzen’s concerns over Fyfe.

“Nat Fyfye is by far and away the absolute worst way for us, as punters piled into him after his magical start to the season,” Ashworth told us.

But, with Fyfe starting the season in a blaze of glory, then missing four games along the way, there are a couple of men who the punters think might have a sniff of an upset.

Jantzen reports West Coast star and reigning Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis and departing Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield have won support.

“Punters have been more keen on Priddis and Patrick Dangerfield over the past month than they have been on Fyfe,” he said.

“Priddis has come in from his opening quote of $21 into $4.50 and we see him as a massive threat to Fyfe.

“His stats are better than they were when he won last year’s Brownlow.”

Priddis was number one in the league for disposals, handballs and tackles and he was number three in clearances. Those are all aspects that put him in front of the umpire more than any other player. And we know they love to vote for him. The likes of Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey, Nic Naitanui and Josh Kennedy might nick some votes off him, but the Eagles won more games than they did last year, theoretically improving his chances to poll.

Jantzen revealed the bookie had a great deal on Brownlow Medal betting, which will cost it even more, should Fyfe win.

“If your player finished second to Fyfe, we’ll give you your cash back, up to $100 – that’s cash, not a bonus bet,” he said.

Ashworth said punters at WilliamHill.com.au had also come for Priddis.

“Injury late on to Fyfe has thrown up some doubt, which has enticed the punters, with Priddis firming into $5.25,” he said.

Ashworth said Sydney duo of Dan Hannebery ($10) and Josh Kennedy ($14) had also generated some late season interest from WilliamHill.com.au punters.

He said they were “offering value” in the Brownlow market.

Hannebery has had an unbelievable season and, after nabbing 21 votes in 2013, you feel like he will eclipse that easily this year. One for the exotics.

Jantzen said punters have been all over towering North Melbourne ruck man Todd Goldstein and he felt the Roos’ superstar was the best roughie, according to punters.

“The Kangaroos ruck man was $51 at the halfway mark of the season but finds himself right in the market at $14,” Ashworth said.

Fyfe hasn’t won the Brownlow yet, but he’s already cost the crew over at CrownBet.com.au plenty.

That bookie paid out on Fyfe to win the medal after just eight rounds.

And who could blame them.

He kicked off the season with a ridiculous run of 31, 36 (with three goals), 31, 27, 30, 27, 30 (with another three goals), 37 and then the week after the pay out, he rattled up 40 disposals against Adelaide.

What a monster.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon called the early pay out “just another bookie’s stunt”, but it was a great reward for those punters who had a crack at the Freo star.

“Bookies, they have stunts all the time,” Lyon said.

“So there’s another stunt. I don’t think they’re going broke. I think that’s a side issue.

“We love the hype really. He’s won the past two Doigs (Fremantle’s best and fairest medal) so he’s played to a very high level and all the Brownlow hype was there last year.

“It’s a prestigious award, but not something that really interests me, and I know it’s not a priority for Nathan.

“Team success is what will ultimately define this football club.

“We’ve got numerous multiple best and fairest winners but I look over at the cabinet and it’s empty.”

If Fyfe were to win this year’s Brownlow Medal, he would be the first player to do so in Fremantle history.

And some pundits are tipping him to have up to 30 votes by round 14.

One guy we haven’t mentioned is hard nosed Hawk Sam Mitchell.

The umpires love this guy.

He’s ninth all time in Brownlow Medal votes in AFL history.

He polled 26 votes to finish second to Jobe Watson in 2012 and he’s arguably had a better season in a more dominant side that is on the cusp of winning its third straight premiership.

He finished second in 2011 as well, with a massive 30 votes. It would be a surprise if he wasn’t around that mark again and should be heavily considered, especially in place and exotic markets. Should have a mortgage on most votes at Hawthorn.

He’s had 12 games over 30 disposals including a 39 touch 10 mark tour de force against minor premier Fremantle.

You could do far worst than take bite out of the $12 on offer at WilliamHill.com.au.

2015 Brownlow Medal markets

Nathan Fyfe ($2)

Matt Priddis ($5.25)

Patrick Dangerfield ($7.50)

Daniel Hannebery ($10)

Sam Mitchell ($12)

Todd Goldstein ($14)

Josh Kennedy ($14)