Best chance: Patrick Dangerfield
Few players will sit down at a Brownlow Medal count as strong a favourite as Patrick Dangerfield. The Brownlow predictor allocated Dangerfield 29 votes but that seems stingy. He dominated in round one against Hawthorn before playing two of the best games seen by a midfielder in round 12 and 13 against North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs. Not only did Dangerfield accumulate the ball, he was dynamic, sprinting from clearances, taking big marks and kicking goals. 

Fast starter: Zac Smith
Zac Smith was excellent early in the season, leaping high and feeding his midfield stars in Dangerfield and Joel Selwood. He kicked three goals in the opening round and set the agenda for the Cats. His form has trailed off late in the season but he will be vying with Cam Guthrie for the second-best Cat by round six. 

One-vote wonder: Sam Menegola
Excellent on debut, he looks the classic one-vote wonder. He picked up 33 touches against the Brisbane Lions and will have come under the umpires' notice by that stage, given it was his fifth game for the Cats.

Total votes
Dangerfield and Joel Selwood will keep racking up votes with the likes of Steve Motlop, Guthrie, Corey Enright, Zac Smith, Lachie Henderson and Daniel Menzel all chipping in from time to time to boost the total to around the 90-vote mark.