For the 2023 season, the Edge of the Crowd writers are keeping tabs on the best performances in every AFL match to predict who will win the Brownlow medal, round Nine was no different.

Richmond 102 d Geelong 78

3. Dustin Martin

2. Tim Taranto

1. Mitch Duncan

The Tigers showed the dynasty isn't quite finished on the weekend with a massive win over the Cats on the biggest stage. It was once again Dustin Martin standing up in the big moments with four goals, 19 touches and nine marks to win the match for the Tigers.

Amongst the Martin magic was the gun in the middle Tim Taranto. He was all over the ground with 28 touches and incredibly 12 tackles while following the ball. The final vote goes to the Cats' Mitch Duncan with a goal and 25 disposals while providing five clearances through the middle.

West Coast 43 def by Gold Coast 113

3. Matt Rowell

2. Ben King

1. Liam Duggan

The grass he ate up on the Gold Coast must have paid off this weekend because Rowell was back to his best showing how good the Gold Coast can be. He had 29 disposals and a goal of his own but it was his work through the middle getting 610 metres with three goal assists that really made the difference.

Ben King continues a great few weeks with another four goals making his price tag increase as Melbourne clubs begin to circle, he kicked four goals in a 15-disposal match. The final vote goes to the losing side after Liam Duggan had 32 touches to go with a clearance and 662 metres gained.

Sydney 86 def by Fremantle 103

3. Errol Gulden

2. Caleb Serong

1. Lachie Schultz

As Harry Styles almost sang on his most recent album 'You're So Gulden', that's at least what Sydney will think after another big loss. Gulden was clearly the best on ground with two goals to go along with 39 touches and eight clearances to be player of the match in a losing side.

Fremantle showed they are a side that's going to fight hard through the rest of the season with their win led by the gun midfielder Caleb Serong who had 33 touches a couple of goal assists and eight clearances. The relatively unknown Schultz gets the final vote after kicking four goals in a 14-disposal match.

North Melbourne 65 def by Port Adelaide 135

3. Zak Butters

2. Jeremy Finlayson

1. Todd Goldstein

In a match full of superstars and plenty of goals it was a man without any goals that gets the three votes. Zak Butters was all over the field seemingly in every play for his 32 touches and three clearances to go along with nine marks.

On the goal-kicking front Finlayson managed to find a score on eight occasions only three of those were goals but it was still a great effort with 20 disposals and four clearances during his time in the ruck. The final vote goes to Todd Goldstein after he dominated the ruck with 56 hit outs compared to 17 for the Power ruck, Goldstein also had 11 clearances.

Hawthorn 49 def by Melbourne 103

3. Clayton Oliver

2. Christian Petracca

1. Max Gawn

After a week out of them, Oliver is back in the votes with another high-disposal match. He had 23 touches in the Demon's big win over the Hawks to keep them at the top of the ladder, Oliver also had five clearances with eight marks.

It's the TikTok cooking guru with two points once again after another 30-disposal match but most incredibly was his work getting the ball up forward having five goal assists. The final vote goes to the big ruckman after 17 hit outs while in the middle to go along with 18 disposals and a goal while playing up forward.

Brisbane 87 d Essendon 45

3. Joe Daniher

2. Lachie Neale

1. Zach Merrett

Brisbane once again proved their credentials as one of the best four sides in the competition with a big win over a quality Essendon side. Joe Daniher was the best of the bunch with six goals while up forward and a couple of clearances and hit-outs when playing in the ruck.

The beast of a midfielder in Lachie Neale gets the two votes this week with another 34 touches and four marks along with five clearances to provide Daniher plenty of ball. The final vote goes to Merrett who was the best for Essendon having seven clearances with 23 touches while playing through the middle.

Carlton 59 def by Western Bulldogs 79

3. Sam Walsh

2. Tom Liberatore

1. Bailey Smith

The Blues season is suddenly looking a little precarious after another loss pushing them out of the eight while the Dogs have moved into the top six. Sam Walsh was the best for the Blues with 29 touches and a goal as well as a couple of key assists.

Liberatore was next best on the field and best for the Dogs after he kicked a goal amongst having 26 touches and nine tackles. Most impressive though was 13 clearances, the clear most on the ground. Smith was again right up there with a goal of his own amongst 30 touches with 10 clearances.

Adelaide 121 d St Kilda 69

3. Taylor Walker

2. Jordan Dawson

1. Brad Crouch

The Crows proved they are better than a mediocre side this weekend with a big win over the much fancied St Kilda. Taylor Walker was the best for the Crows kicking five goals while setting up another for his teammates.

Dawson proved he's an elite midfielder again this weekend with 33 touches and six clearances through the middle while laying five tackles. Brad Crouch gets the final vote of the week after having 30 touches and seven clearances to go along with four tackles.

Collingwood 120 d GWS Giants 55

3. Nick Daicos

2. Jordan De Goey

1. Tom Green

The Pies kept their spot at the top of the ladder with a big win over Giants to show they really are the favourites for this year's premiership. Once again Daicos gets the best on ground, not for being the best player but 41 touches will no doubt get him in the eyes of the umpires, he also had a clearance along with a goal assist.

A couple of votes go to De Goey after 31 touches and a goal through the middle and up forward while also having seven clearances for almost 500 metres gained. Tom Green gets in the votes once again with 30 touches and eight clearances to go along with a goal assist in a losing side.

Leaderboard

1. Nick Daicos (18)

2. Clayton Oliver (17)

3. Jordan Dawson (14)

4. Jeremy Cameron (10)

4. Lachie Neale (10)

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