It’s probably unlikely that a Brisbane Lions player will be taking home the Brownlow Medal next Monday night – particularly given Dayne Zorko is considered the Club’s best bet at the long odds of $251.

Vice-Captain Tom Rockliff might have given the game’s highest individual honour a shake following a career-best season, but he is ineligible to win the award due to suspension.

Rockliff polled a Club-high 21 votes in 2013, and finished equal fifth overall, to prove that he can attract the attention of the umpires.

Jonathan Brown’s retirement means that Rockliff now boasts the most career Brownlow Medal votes of any current Lions player with 38, followed by Daniel Rich (21), and Daniel Merrett (19).

Brown’s 112 career Brownlow votes ranks him sixth overall in the Club’s all-time history (Fitzroy and Bears included), and he could potentially add to that tally courtesy of the 11 matches he played in 2014.

Lions.com.au takes a closer look at the players that could be in line for Brownlow Medal votes at this year’s count.

ROUND 1 v HAWTHORN
Tom Rockliff (three goals) and Dayne Zorko (28 disposals) are probably the Lions’ best chances of securing a vote in the team’s 48-point loss to Hawthorn.

ROUND 2 v GEELONG
Pearce Hanley (32 disposals) and Zorko (30 disposals) were arguably the Lions’ best in a tight loss to the Cats, while Sam Mayes booted a game-high four goals.

ROUND 3 v GOLD COAST
Rockliff was a shining light in an otherwise dark day for the Lions, with 35 disposals, 11 marks, and three goals. Might secure a vote, although you can probably lock in Suns skipper Gary Ablett for the three.

ROUND 4 v PORT ADELAIDE
Hard to see any Lions players getting a look in for votes following a 113-point trashing at the hands of the Power at Adelaide Oval.

ROUND 5 v RICHMOND
If any Lions player is going to secure votes from the Easter Thursday loss to the Tigers, it will be retired champion Jonathan Brown, who was clearly the team’s best with four goals in his 250th match.

ROUND 6 v ST KILDA
Expect the Lions to feature prominently in their first win of the season. Zorko (24 disposals, 10 tackles), and Jack Redden (29 disposals, two goals) were prominent, as was draftee James Aish (24 disposals) whose performance earned him a Rising Star nomination. Joel Patfull should also be strongly considered for his terrific job on Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt, although defenders often get overlooked by the umpires.

ROUND 7 v SYDNEY
Sydney’s complete dominance at the Gabba should result in Swans players securing all the available votes, with one of the pre-count favourites Josh Kennedy arguably best afield.

ROUND 8 v ESSENDON
Rockliff should poll after collecting 35 disposals and laying 11 tackles, while Marco Paparone could also potentially secure the first votes of his young career. Essendon trio Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell, and Brendon Goddard could also feature in the Bombers’ tight win.

ROUND 9 v NORTH MELBOURNE
Nothing to see here.

ROUND 11 v CARLTON
Rockliff (36 disposals) and Zorko (23 disposals and two goals) should feature again in the Lions’ second win of the season, although Redden, Hanley, and Justin Clarke were also prominent. Marc Murphy was also huge for Carlton.

ROUND 12 v WESTERN BULLDOGS
A very even spread of performers makes this win over the Dogs difficult to predict. Lions votes likely to be shared among Zorko, Patfull, Hanley (23 disposals, 12 tackles), Redden (26 disposals, two goals), Stefan Martin (17 disposals, 32 hitouts), Ryan Harwood, and Rohan Bewick (30 disposals).

ROUND 13 v GWS GIANTS
Lewis Taylor (19 disposals, three goals) and Pearce Hanley (28 disposals, nine marks) clearly the Lions’ best in the Club’s first ever loss to the Giants.

ROUND 14 v FREMANTLE
The Lions broke all sorts of records in Round 14, most of which were  for the wrong reasons. Rockliff’s 45 disposals were a standout, but it might be hard for him to poll considering the Lions lost by 83 points.

ROUND 15 v NORTH MELBOURNE
Hanley (34 disposals) was superb in the Lions’ upset win over the Kangaroos and should poll, while a blanket could be thrown over a dozen others in terms of the remaining votes.

ROUND 16 v RICHMOND
The Lions’ defenders were probably the team’s best in their loss to the Tigers, with Clarke a chance to get the first votes of his career. Meanwhile, Rockliff had a ton of the ball (36 disposals) and Martin was terrific in the ruck.

ROUND 17 v WEST COAST
Another even team performance in a close loss. Harwood close to the Lions’ best with 28 disposals, with Zorko, Martin, and Jed Adcock also a chance to snag a vote or two.

ROUND 18 v GOLD COAST
A dominant display from the Lions should see them take a clean sweep of votes. Hanley (45 disposals) and Rockliff (a Club-record 47 disposals) will battle it out for the top two positions, while Zorko’s 32-disposal effort also deserves a vote.    

ROUND 19 v MELBOURNE
Martin was enormous in the team-s come-from-behind win over his former club, and could get the maximum. Rockliff (32 disposals), Hanley (24 disposals), Bewick (27 disposals), Adcock (23 disposals), and Darcy Gardiner (Rising Star nominee) could also come into calculations.

ROUND 20 v ADELAIDE
A triple-figure defeat will make it hard for the Lions to squeeze any votes from the umpires. Rockliff (40 disposals) is probably the Club’s best chance.

ROUND 21 v COLLINGWOOD
A memorable 54-point drubbing of Collingwood could see any of Rockliff (43 disposals), Zorko (36 disposals), Hanley (34 disposals), Martin (32 disposals), and Adcock (25 disposals). A lot of other great performances, but only room for three unfortunately.

ROUND 22 v FREMANTLE
Another 40-plus game from Rockliff and a career-best 38-disposal effort from Zorko might give the Lions a chance to feature in what was a comfortable win for the Dockers.

ROUND 23 v GEELONG
With Rockliff and Zorko sidelined, Martin (32 disposals) might be the team’s best bet in Round 23. Pre-count favourite Joel Selwood should almost be a lock for the three in the Cats’ big win.