For the 2023 season, the Edge of the Crowd writers keep tabs on the best performances in every AFL match to predict who will win the Brownlow medal; Round Twenty-Three was no different.

Collingwood 100 def by Brisbane 124

3. Scott Pendlebury

2. Lachie Neale

1. Oscar McInerney

The race for the number one spot is wide open now after a key victory for Brisbane away from home, proving they can win in Melbourne. Despite the loss, Pendlebury was the best on the ground with 31 touches, a goal and 12 clearances through the middle. Lachie Neale was as influential as ever, with 31 touches of his own, including ten clearances for 431 metres gained. The final vote goes to the big ruckman after dominating the ruck with 41 hit outs and five clearances.

Richmond 101 d North Melbourne 72

3. Shai Bolton

2. Dustin Martin

1. Harry Sheezel

With nothing left to play for for both sides this was an easy win for a more experienced Tigers side. Bolton was the clear best on field with 25 touches and four goals while also gaining almost 600 metres. Dustin Martin was back to his best through the midfield, with 31 touches and three goals. While it was the young gun from the Roos who dominated possession, getting his hands on the ball 37 times.

Gold Coast 87 def by Carlton 91

3. Charlie Curnow

2. David Swallow

1. Nic Newman

While Gold Coast almost got the job done to prove they don't need Hardwick, the Blues managed yet another win as they head towards finals. Charlie Curnow is back in the votes with another five-goal performance. Could he be the first since 08 to get to 100? David Swallow picks up four votes after kicking four goals of his own while having 16 touches. The final vote goes to Nic Newman, who had 31 touches and was instrumental in the Blues' win.

GWS 162 d Essendon 36

3. Jesse Hogan

2. Tom Green

1. Stephen Coniglio

While the Essendon season is all over now, the Giants have built plenty of confidence heading into September. Going past Hogan for three votes this week would be impossible after kicking nine goals. Tom Green is in the votes again after having 39 touches and kicking a goal of his own. Coniglio picks up the final vote for 31 touches and a goal while getting eight clearances.

St Kilda 88 d Geelong 55

3. Brad Crouch

2. Jack Sinclair

1. Jack Steele

Despite seemingly being off the pace all year, the Saints have cemented a finals position after this crucial win. Crouch has continued a great season and finished this match with 29 touches, four tackles and 11 clearances. Sinclair had 38 touches through the middle and 547 metres gained to get him two votes. And the final vote for the Saints in this win goes to the skipper, who had 27 touches and 11 marks.

Adelaide 73 def by Sydney 74

3. Rory Laird

2. Errol Gulden

1. Chad Warner

It was the most controversial game of the year, with the worst finish the AFL has ever seen. What comes from the game? Who knows, but we can predict the votes. Rory Laird picks up three for his 31 touches, eight tackles and nine clearances. Errol Gulden has two votes for four clearances, 30 touches and a couple of marks. The final vote goes to Chad Warner, with 25 touches and six clearances for 539 metres gained.

Western Bulldogs 85 def by West Coast 92

3. Jamie Cripps

2. Oscar Allen

1. Adam Treloar

The pressure is on the coach and the players of the Dogs after this performance that moves West Coast off the bottom. Cripps picks up three votes for his five goals to go along with 17 touches. Oscar Allen was also in the goals with three, so he picks up two votes. The final vote goes to Adam Treloar, who managed 32 touches with a goal.

Melbourne 87 d Hawthorn 60

3. Jake Melksham

2. Christian Petracca

1. Karl Amon

While Hawthorn look better and better each week, Melbourne was able to keep in touch with the top four with this win. Melksham gets three votes for his efforts, including three goals, four behinds and 15 touches. Petracca had 22 touches, kicked a goal and managed seven clearances to stay in touch with Daicos. Karl Amon grabs one point for 27 touches, 24 kicks and 14 marks in the losing side.

Fremantle 58 d Port Adelaide 74

3. Zak Butters

2. Jeremy Finlayson

1. Luke Ryan

The Power have snapped back after a tough few weeks to now be two in a row. Butters was best on ground, with 31 touches and a goal to cap it off. Finlayson continues to contribute every week and kicked a couple of goals to go with 18 touches. The final vote of the second to last round goes to the Freo midfielder, who had 25 touches and 633 metres gained.

Leaderboard

1. Nick Daicos (32)

2. Christian Petracca (29)

3. Jordan Dawson (28)

4. Errol Gulden (26)

5. Marcus Bontempelli (25)

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