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 Seventeen was no different.

Richmond 88 d Sydney 75

3. Toby Nankervis

2. Errol Gulden

1. Shai Bolton

In a win that keeps Richmond in touch with the top eight and leaves Sydney's season hanging by a threat, Nankervis deserved the three votes. The big ruckman had 33 hit outs, had six clearances through the middle and kicked a goal while having 19 touches. Gulden was the clear best for Sydney, having 31 touches with three clearances and setting up two of his teammates. Goal assists were key for Shai Bolton; he had four, along with 31 disposals and nine clearances.

Western Bulldogs 77 def by Collingwood 89

3. Nick Daicos

2. Caleb Daniel

1. Issac Quaynor

Collingwood continued to hold onto the top spot after coming back from an early deficit. Nick Daciso picks up three votes once again after having 29 touches, kicking a couple of goals and having a massive 11 clearances. Caleb Daniel was the best on field for the Dogs after having 32 touches, five clearances and over 450 metres gained. Quaynor gets his first vote of the season after taking 13 marks, having 27 touches and being involved more than any other player.

Brisbane 116 d West Coast 35

3. Jack Gunston

2. Lachie Neale

1. Will Ashcroft

The result is about what was expected from West Coast having to follow up what was one of their best performances of the year. Brisbane has basically cemented their top-four spot thanks to Jack Gunston, who kicked a bag of six goals while having 20 disposals. Neale keeps touch at the top of the leaderboard with his 32 touches and eight clearances. Young gun Will Ashcroft had 28 touches, set up a couple of his teammates and managed seven clearances.

GWS 85 d Hawthorn 72

3. Stephen Coniglio

2. Jai Newcombe

1. Kieren Briggs

The Giants have made it six in a row now, and providing a good run home could still mathematically make finals. Coniglio had 30 touches and four clearances, gained almost 550 metres, and kicked three goals in a dominant all-round performance. Newcombe was the clear best for Hawthrorn with 28 touches and a game-high nine clearances. Briggs hets the final vote with his 28 hit outs, six clearances and almost 450 metres gained.

St Kilda 58 def by Melbourne 79

3. Christian Petracca

2. Jack Sinclair

1. Steven May

The top four looks set this season with Melbourne firmly entrenches, while St Kilda will need to use a good run home to stay in contention. Petracca played up forward and was dominant with four goals and 20 touches, along with laying five tackles. Sinclair had 22 for the Saints while gaining more than 600 metres with his five clearances. The final vote went to the intercepting mark of Steven May; he had 29 touches and took 12 marks, of which many were intercepts.

Port Adelaide 106 d Gold Coast 73

3. Connor Rozee

2. Noah Anderson

1. Jeremy Finlayson

Port Adelaide could still finish on top of the ladder, all going well, while the Gold Coast is looking at a new coach being required after the sacking of Stuart Dew. Rozee was best on ground with 28 touches through the middle, gaining more than 600 metres and kicking a couple of goals. Noah Anderson's class continued to shine with 29 touches, a goal assist and more than 500 metres gained. The final vote goes to Finlayson, who had three goals, kicked four behinds and had three clearances through the middle.

Geelong 125 d North Melbourne 63

3. Gryan Miers

2. Tyson Stengle

1. Mitch Duncan

The Cat's late run towards the finals continued this week while North continued to dwell down the bottom of the ladder. Miers might have lost the dreadlocks, but not his form; the young man had 32 touches, a couple of clearances and tackles while assisting two scores. Stengle gets a couple of votes kicking five goals which is good in any team, but particularly when lining up with Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins. Mitch Duncan is the final vote-getter, having had 30 touches, three clearances, eight marks and a goal.

Essendon 115 d Adelaide 97

3. Zach Merrett

2. Peter Wright

1. Jordan Dawson

Essendon are probably the most underrated side in the competition and had a great win over the weekend against a hot-running Adelaide side. Merrett continues his run for the Brownlow after having 39 touches in the middle while scoring a goal of his own. Peter Wright kicked three goals and had 19 touches while also setting up a teammate. Of course, Dawson had to pick up a vote after being the best for the Crows having 28 touches and five clearances.

Fremantle 45 def by Calrton 98

3. Harry McKay

2. Patrick Cripps

1. Luke Ryan

Carlton keep their season alive with a good win, while Fremantle will again be asking questions in an inconsistent year of footy. McKay had 20 touches up forward while kicking three goals and having a clearance during his time in the ruck. Cripps was back to his best with 29 touches and ten massive clearances to get the ball out the middle. Luke Ryan gets the lone vote for Fremantle, having 35 touches from the backline.

Leaderboard

1. Nick Daicos (29)

2. Jordan Dawson (25)

3. Christian Petracca (22)

4. Tim Taranto (19)

4. Lachie Neale (19)

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