Brownlow Medal Betting: How to Bet on AFL Best And Fairest Voting
The Brownlow Medal is the most prestigious award in Australian Rules Football (AFL) for an individual player. It is awarded to the player who is judged to be the ‘best and fairest’ during the home-and-away season. Voted on by umpires after each match, it recognizes both skill and sportsmanship, and the honour roll is littered with the very best players the AFL has produced.
In recent years, Brownlow Medal betting has become increasingly popular, especially with the event being televised live during prime-time on free-to-air television in Australia. Understanding how to bet on the Brownlow Medal involves a few key factors and we outline them in this article.
What is the Brownlow Medal?
The Brownlow Medal, named after former AFL administrator Charles Brownlow, has been awarded annually since 1924. The event has been televised since 1970, highlighting the interest the Australian public have for the Brownlow Medal. The award is presented to the player who accumulates the most votes throughout the regular season. These votes are cast by the umpires after each match and held in complete secrecy and are taken by security to be locked in a secure location. With a maximum of three votes awarded to the best player on the ground, two votes for the second-best, and one vote for the third-best.
The voting system rewards individual performances in every match, and a player can rack up votes during the season, regardless of whether their team wins or loses. This means that players from underperforming teams can still win the Brownlow if they have consistently outstanding individual performances. However, winning teams will generally have a standout player that leads them to victory, and this can highly influence the votes.
The winner of the Brownlow Medal is announced at a glamorous ceremony, complete with red carpet and is typically held on Monday, five days before the Grand Final, making it one of the most highly anticipated events in Australian sport.
Types of Brownlow Medal Bets
There are several different betting markets available when it comes to betting on the Brownlow Medal. Each market offers a unique way to wager on the outcome of the award. Here are some of the most common Brownlow Medal betting options:
1. Winner of the Brownlow Medal
This is the most straightforward Brownlow betting market. Simply bet on who you think will win the Brownlow Medal at the end of the season. d to attract attention for their high-profile performances may also be contenders.
2. Top 3 Finish
Betting on a player to finish in the top 3 of the Brownlow Medal voting offers an interesting alternative. If you feel that a particular player is in contention, but it’s too close too call, you can opt for a top three finish with lower odds but more security.
3. Top 5 Finish
This market allows punters to bet on players who they believe will finish in the top 5 of the Brownlow Medal count. Similar to betting on the top 3, this option gives you slightly more flexibility.
4. Brownlow Teams
In this market, punters can bet on who will accumulate the most Brownlow Medal votes from each team.
5. Player Vote Betting (Over/Under)
Some Australian betting sites also offer markets on the total number of votes a player will recieve. For example, you can bet on whether a player will get more or less than a specified number of votes throughout the season.
6. Head-to-Head Betting
Another popular option is head-to-head betting, where two players are pitted against each other in an individual market set by the bookie. For example, who will receive more votes in a Patrick Cripps Vs Lachie Neale market. Neither player has to win the Brownlow, and punters can win if they pick the right player of that pair to get more votes.
7. Same Game Multi
There are so many individual markets for the Brownlow Medal that most bookmakers will offer an AFL Same Game Multi Betting market on the Brownlow. This means you can combine things like: player A to win, players B & C to finish top 5, and players D, E & F to finish top 20.
Understanding the Voting Process
The voting process for the Brownlow Medal is straight forward. Umpires award votes after each match in a 3, 2, and 1 format with votes to the best, second-best, and third-best players on the field, for each game.
The key to successful Brownlow Medal betting lies in understanding how the umpires think and how they vote. Umpires tend to award votes to players who stand out, particularly in terms of consistency and influence on the game. And umpires may be less inclined to award votes to players who constantly dispute umpire decisions or play for free kicks as this is not in the spirit of the game.
How to Bet on the Brownlow Medal
To place a bet on the Brownlow Medal, follow these simple steps:
1. Select a Reputable AFL Bookie
First, choose a licensed and trusted betting platform that offers Brownlow Medal betting markets. We have shortlisted the Top 5 AFL Betting Apps & Sites, with a focus on competitive odds, AFL promotions, features, a good reputation, and a user-friendly interface. Many online betting sites lack some of these features, so make sure you are armed with the right information before choosing an online AFL bookmaker.2. Assess the Market
Once you’ve selected your bookmaker, browse through the Brownlow Medal betting markets. Read through the available betting options and consider the players you want to punt on.3. Research Player Form
To increase your chances of winning, it’s important to have a good knowledge of player form prior to and throughout the AFL season. For those punters looking to place a bet before the season starts, knowing player trends, considering trades, and looking at injury and suspension stats will help. For those who prefer to place their bets during the season, following player performances in matches is crucial. But remember, the information you get during the season is available to all - including the bookmakers.4. Place Your Bet
Once you’ve done your research, place your bet. Whether you’re betting on the winner, top finishers, or vote counts, ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of the market before confirming your wager.5. Watch the Count
After placing your bet, enjoy watching the Brownlow Medal count unfold! The excitement of seeing how the votes are distributed and who emerges as the winner is one of the highlights of the AFL season.Strategies for Brownlow Medal Betting
While there’s no guaranteed way to predict the Brownlow winner, several strategies can help you make informed decisions:
- Bet Before the Season Starts: Take into account player trades and how that might affect voting for individual players. For example, Patrick Cripps won in 2024 and 2022, but if he was traded to Brisbane, and had to compete for votes against Lachie Neal who won in 2023 and 2020, the pair would cancel out a stack of votes for each other.
- Focus on Midfielders: Historically, a midfielder will win the Brownlow Medal count, as they are involved in the most crucial parts of the game and have more opportunity to make an impact.
- Consider Team Success: Players from top teams tend to get more recognition from umpires, as their performances are often more high-profile. A good team record can help boost a player’s chances.
- Look for Consistency: Players who are consistently performing at a high level over the course of the season are more likely to earn votes in multiple games. Pay attention to players who consistently rack up possessions or show leadership on the field.
Conclusion
Brownlow Medal betting is an exciting way to engage with the AFL season, providing fans with the opportunity to predict who will emerge as the league's best and fairest player. By understanding the different betting markets, keeping track of player form, and considering the intricacies of the voting system, punters can make more informed bets. Whether you’re betting on the winner or a top 3 finish, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the thrill of Brownlow Medal betting throughout the AFL season.
