After winning 16 of a possible 22 games this season, the Adelaide Crows are sure to gather a number of Brownlow Medal votes on Monday night.

Mark Ricciuto has been the only Crow to take out the award in the club’s history, winning the Brownlow Medal in 2003 in a tie with Nathan Buckley (Collingwood) and Adam Goodes (Sydney).

According to the punters and many football experts, Simon Goodwin is Adelaide’s best chance of taking out the AFL’s most prestigious individual award. However, as Adelaide’s form in 2006 indicates, a large number of players are all capable of winning votes.

Tyson Edwards, one of the Crows’ most consistent performers, will again be among the votes, as will Andrew McLeod. Mark Ricciuto had a number of dominant matches along with the exciting Brett Burton, who may take votes away from the likes of Goodwin.

As a dual premiership player, four time All-Australian representative, dual Best and Fairest winner; one of the few accolades Goodwin lacks is 'Brownlow Medallist'.

But history shows Goodwin has not been a big votegetter. Last year he was one of the favourites to take out the honour, yet he only managed to collect nine votes. With another stellar season under his belt, however, perhaps this time Goodwin will be recognised more regularly.

Goodwin is a high possession winner, with his early form being particularly outstanding. The amount of votes that Goodwin can gather early in the season may dictate how successful his overall night will be.

Goodwin’s best polling chances:

Round 2 V West Coast:
Although this was one of Goodwin’s best performances for the season, the fact that Adelaide lost may hurt his chances of gaining the maximum amount of votes. He gathered 36 possessions on the day, and was one of the key players who brought the Crows back into the match in the last quarter.

Round 3 V Melbourne:
The Crows defeated Melbourne in a tough encounter, and Goodwin led from the front. Playing predominantly on a wing, he gathered 34 possessions with every touch used to advantage his side.

Round 5 V Bulldogs:
Goodwin was in fine form in Adelaide’s demolition of the Western Bulldogs. Going head to head with ball magnet Scott West, Goodwin amassed 36 possessions and controlled the midfield. He dominated the match, and is a great chance of getting the three votes.

Round 12 V St Kilda:
Playing on the highly rated Nick Dal Santo, Goodwin was on top early and from then on dominated the match. Spending some time in the forward line, many of his 32 possessions were of critical importance to the Crows ten goal victory.

Round 14 V Sydney:
Goodwin, lining up against one of the best taggers in the game in Brett Kirk, still managed to be a catalyst in swinging the momentum Adelaide’s way. He gathered 27 possessions in what was regarded by many as an outstanding, best on ground performance.

Round 15 V Hawthorn:
It is a rare occasion for a man to gather 38 possessions and not walk away with three votes so, even though Brett Burton kicked seven goals, Goodwin’s chances of polling in Round 15 are very high. He had a sensational match in the midfield, and could not be stopped by any opponent.

Tyson Edwards is the king of consistency. Every season he features high in the club best and fairest count, and has surprised some by featuring high on the leaderboard in recent Brownlow Medal nights. Every match he is one of the club’s best performers, reliably gathering more than 20 possessions and creating countless thrusts into the attacking 50. With Adelaide winning the majority of matches this season, Edwards could again surprise by gathering a share of the votes.

Like Goodwin, Edwards finds the ball. On 11 occasions this season he has gathered more than 25 possessions and is a creative, skilful user of the ball. He finds space and keeps possession of the ball. True to his nature, Edwards is consistently one of the best performers week by week.

Edwards’ best polling chances:

Round 1 V Collingwood:
Edwards gathered 31 possessions, and was cool under pressure with each disposal. His performance was rated very highly by all on-lookers and it will be interesting to see if the umpires agree.

Round 6 V Port Adelaide:
In Adelaide’s victory over arch-rivals Port Adelaide, Edwards worked hard both with the ball and without it. He gathered 15 kicks and 13 handballs, however laid six important tackles whilst playing in the midfield.

Round 13 V Geelong:
Edwards was again rated amongst the best players on the ground, as he continued to find the football and dispose of it with perfection. Along with five tackles, Edwards collected 30 disposals. Adelaide dominated the match, which will assist Edwards’ chances.

Round 18 V Collingwood:
In what was regarded as a generally ‘ugly’ game of football, Edwards continued his fine season. He gave his forward line plenty of scoring opportunities, amassing 34 possessions and consistently separating himself from his opponent.

It is hard to not notice Andrew McLeod every match. He wears the coloured boots and plays with flair, however it is the skilful, classy manner in which he plays that sets him apart from the rest. In McLeod’s AFL career has had every honour aside from a Brownlow Medal; could he be the surprise packet that steals the show in 2006?

Spending much of his time playing across half back, McLeod holds the ball and runs more than any other in the AFL. He has been the leader of a rebounding defence, and has consistently polled highly on Brownlow night.

McLeod’s best polling chances:

Round 5 V Bulldogs:
Andrew McLeod was at his scintillating best in the Crows victory against the Bulldogs. He ran the ball out of defence on countless occasions and collected 29 possessions. The only factor preventing McLeod from collecting maximum votes is with such an even performance across the team, votes may be awarded to another worthy performer.

Round 9 V Carlton:
With 26 kicks and a total of 34 possessions, Andrew McLeod was in career best form. He was impossible to stop and damaging to his opponents. This was a vintage performance from the superstar, making Brownlow Medal punters stand up and take notice.

Round 13 V Geelong:
Four quarters of McLeod brilliance entertained the crowd as Adelaide cruised to a big victory. He took 11 marks and gathered 27 disposals. All of McLeod’s traits were on show, particularly his creativity and his ability to win the ball. His performance is sure to stick in the minds of umpires.

Round 16 V Kangaroos:
McLeod’s efforts were rated by many as a best on ground performance. He gathered 25 possessions and his usage of the ball was outstanding. His trade mark ‘run and carry’ out of defence was crucial to the dominance of his team.