There is almost a sense of inevitability around Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos winning a Brownlow Medal before his decorated career is over.

But as Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli can attest, that sentiment guarantees nothing on the AFL's annual night of nights.

Daicos endured a classic case of 'so near yet so far' last year when he beat the previous record with 38 votes, only to be toppled by Carlton's Patrick Cripps, who polled an astonishing 45.

This time, as he licks his wounds from the Magpies' crushing preliminary final defeat, Daicos is the short-priced favourite for Monday night's count in Melbourne.

Geelong's Bailey Smith is the leading challenger, with Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson and Gold Coast pair Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell also in the mix.

Any other o

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