Although it’s unlikely that any Brisbane Lions player will be taking ‘Charlie’ home at the conclusion of the 2013 Brownlow Medal count, there will still be plenty of interest surrounding who will be the Club’s leading vote-getter.

Lions.com.au tries to predict how the votes might fall for the Lions by going back through each of the Club’s matches in 2013.

ROUND 1 V WESTERN BULLDOGS @ ETIHAD STADIUM
Result: Lost by 68 points

Tom Rockliff might have collected a game-high 33 disposals, but it’s hard to see any Lions player polling any votes ahead of a vastly superior Bulldogs outfit that claim a comfortable victory. Three of Ryan Griffen, Will Minson, Robert Murphy, Brett Goodes and Tom Liberatore would be most likely to get the nod from the umpires.

ROUND 2 V ADELAIDE @ THE GABBA
Result: Lost by 19 points

Despite losing the match, the Lions should feature in the votes considering the home side led at three quarter time. Pearce Hanley was sensational with 30 disposals, while Brent Moloney and Matthew Leuenberger were also busy in the midfield. Either could poll, although Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and Scott Thompson will be pressing their case as well.    

ROUND 3 V GOLD COAST @ METRICON STADIUM
Result: Won by 2 points

Jonathan Brown was the match-winner in QClash 5 with five goals and should take the maximum votes. Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, and Hanley were also prolific in the middle. Gold Coast’s Jared Brennan and Harley Bennell are also a chance to poll, although pre-count favourite Gary Ablett was kept relatively quiet by Andrew Raines.

ROUND 4 V NORTH MELBOURNE @ ETIHAD STADIUM
Result: Lost by 63 points

In what was arguably the Lions’ most disappointing performance of 2013, it’s fair to say that the Kangaroos should take the 3-2-1. Jed Adcock was probably the Lions’ best, while Rockliff had 34 touches. 

ROUND 5 V MELBOURNE @ THE GABBA
Result: Won by 28 points

Moloney’s 36-disposal effort in his 150th match (and first against his old club) should see him in the box seat for the maximum votes, although Rockliff, Leuenberger, Sam Mayes, and Dayne Zorko could also feature. Dean Terlich is probably Melbourne’s only real chance to take votes away from Lions players.

ROUND 6 V SYDNEY SWANS @ THE SCG
Result: Lost by 60 points

Ryan Lester, Hanley and Adcock were the Lions’ best, but a resounding victory by Sydney should see the Swans players take the votes.

ROUND 7 V WEST COAST @ THE GABBA
Result: Lost by 26 points

The Lions were once again in a winning position at three quarter time, before getting blown away in the final term. Hanley should poll following a standout 31-disposal effort, with Rockliff, Moloney and Leuenberger all chances. Eagles midfielder Matt Priddis would be favoured to get the maximum votes.  

ROUND 8 V ESSENDON @ ETIHAD STADIUM
Result: Won by 10 points

It took an even team contribution for the Lions to upset the Bombers, so singling out best players is difficult. Jack Redden, Leuenberger, Adcock, Hanley, Zorko would probably be most likely to have their names read out. Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard could also grab a vote or two for the Bombers. 

ROUND 9 V CARLTON @ THE GABBA
Result: Lost by 13 points

The final margin probably flattered the Lions, with Carlton in control for most of the match. Jarrad Waite and Brock McLean did most of the damage for the Blues, while Simon Black was the only Lions player to collect 20 or more disposals.   

ROUND 10 V COLLINGWOOD @ THE GABBA
Result: Lost by 49 points

Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury will fancy their chances of votes when they visited the Gabba in Round 10, with Black the only possible contender for the Lions. Even then, it would be a long-shot.  

ROUND 12 V FREMANTLE @ PATERSONS STADIUM
Result: Lost by 40 points

Mitch Golby, Mayes, and Redden battled hard for the Lions against the Dockers, however Michael Barlow, David Mundy, Garrick Ibbotson and Clancee Pearce would be in the box seat for the votes. 

ROUND 13 V GEELONG @ THE GABBA
Result: Won by 5 points

It’s easy to get carried away with what was one of the Club’s most memorable wins in recent history, with Moloney, Black and Rich key contributors to the team’s come-from-behind victory. It’s hard also to overlook Ash McGrath’s heroics in his 200th match – kicking his third goal after the siren to snatch the four points. But Joel Selwood, Steve Johnson, Matthew Stokes, and Jimmy Bartel all have more than 30 disposals and could figure in what was an incredibly tight contest. 

ROUND 14 V HAWTHORN @ AURORA STADIUM
Result: Lost by 58 points

Moloney, Leuenberger and Brown were the Lions’ best, but the votes are likely to fall to Hawks players – namely Jarryd Roughead, Brad Sewell and Sam Mitchell.

ROUND 15 V GOLD COAST @ THE GABBA
Result: Won by 33 points

Marcus Ashcroft Medallist Leuenberger and Hanley will be battling out for the three votes, with the pair widely considered the best two players that evening. Adcock, Mayes, Redden, Rockliff, and Zorko could also add to their tallies. Harley Bennell and Jared Brennan were once again the best for the Suns.

ROUND 16 V NORTH MELBOURNE @ THE GABBA
Result: Won by 12 points

Mayes, Hanley, Rockliff and Rich would all fancy their chances for votes in the come-from-behind win over the Kangaroos. Hanley and Rich might have been the match-winners in the end, however they were both quiet in the first half.

ROUND 17 V MELBOURNE @ TIO STADIUM
Result: Won by 19 points

Rockliff, Redden and Hanley again provided the spark in the middle, with Brent Staker and Josh Green doing the damage up forward. Colin Sylvia and Jack Viney are probably the two Demons players most likely to spoil the party.

ROUND 18 V PORT ADELAIDE @ AAMI STADIUM
Result: Lost by 9 points

Power Captain Travis Boak will probably take the three votes in the tightly-contested match at AAMI Stadium, but expect a Lions player or two to claim at least one vote. Even though defenders don’t usually get much attention from the umpires, Joel Patfull and Elliot Yeo were arguably the team’s best in a great defensive performance. 

ROUND 19 V ST KILDA @ THE GABBA
Result: Won by 31 points

Rockliff should get the three votes after a season-high 39 disposals and eight tackles, although Redden (32 disposals) and Rich (19 disposals and three goals) could surprise. Matt Maguire might also be rewarded for playing an unusual role up forward and in the ruck to great effect. Nick Dal Santo, David Armitage and Leigh Montagna all had plenty of the ball for the Saints, although will be hard pressed to replace any of the Lions in the final tally.

ROUND 20 V RICHMOND @ THE MCG
Result: Lost by 23 points

A slow start could hinder the Lions’ potential vote-getters, although Rockliff and Hanley helped spark a second half resurgence. Either would have to edge out one of Trent Cotchin, Daniel Jackson or Brett Deledio to claim a vote or two.

ROUND 21 V GWS GIANTS @ THE GABBA
Result: Won by 60 points

A big win should see the total allocation of votes fall to Lions players, with first-year player Mayes a chance to grab the maximum with four first-half goals. Staker and Green also impacted the scoreboard, while Black, Ryan Harwood and Patfull could also feature.  

ROUND 22 V WESTERN BULLDOGS @ THE GABBA
Result: Won by 7 points

The Lions prevailed in a game of two halves, with Rockliff, Leuenberger and Patfull the most likely to poll. Bulldogs Tom Liberatore and Will Minson will also be in the mix. It will all depend on how the umpires viewed the match.  

ROUND 23 V GEELONG @ SIMONDS STADIUM
Result: Lost by 1 point

McGrath’s six-goal haul wasn’t enough for the Lions to avoid a heart-breaking defeat against the Cats, but it might be enough to secure him some votes at the Brownlow Medal. McGrath was arguably the Lions’ best, along with Rockliff and Redden, while Geelong’s Jimmy Bartel and Matthew Stokes (35 disposals apiece) could figure prominently also.