New Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury is the early favourite to win the 2014 Brownlow Medal.
That’s the prevailing view of his fellow captains across the 17 other clubs.
Pendlebury was the choice of four club captains to win the league’s most coveted individual honour, ahead of Gold Coast’s Gary Ablett and Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield who each received three nominations.
Dane Swan, the winner in 2011, received one nomination.
The end-of-season awards may not stop there if the captains are on the money.
Travis Cloke and West Coast’s Josh Kennedy each received five nominations as the captain’s predictions for the John Coleman Medal.
Last year’s winner, Jarryd Roughead, was nominated by four skippers and new Swan Lance Franklin by three.
Pendlebury and Cloke both have form on their side.
With an average of 20.25 Brownlow votes in the last four years, including 21 last year, Pendlebury’s graceful style of play is clearly noticed by the umpires on match day.
Cloke, meanwhile, kicked 66 goals last season, only two behind eventual Coleman Medallist Roughead.
He has kicked 196 goals at an average of 65.33 in his past three campaigns.
The captains also believe Collingwood, on the whole, will perform well this season.
Pendlebury aside, 12 of the 17 captains believe the Magpies will finish in the top eight.
Only Fremantle (17 nominations), Hawthorn (17), Sydney (17) and Geelong (16) were more popular choices.
There was also some encouragement for young ruckman Brodie Grundy, who was nominated by one captain as the likely winner of this year’s AFL Rising Star Award.
The complete list of results can be found below.
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight?
Fremantle (17), Hawthorn (17), Sydney Swans (17), Geelong (16), Collingwood (12), West Coast (11), North Melbourne (9), Richmond (9), Essendon (7), Port Adelaide (7), Adelaide Crows (2), Carlton (2).
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
Hawthorn (10), Sydney Swans (5), Fremantle (3).
Who do you think will win the 2014 Brownlow Medal?
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood, 4 votes), Gary Ablett (Gold Coast Suns, 3), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows, 3), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle, 2), Dustin Martin (Richmond, 1), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn, 1), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn, 1), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats, 1), Dane Swan (Collingwood, 1), Jobe Watson (Essendon, 1).
Who do you think will win the 2014 Coleman Medal?
Travis Cloke (Collingwood, 5 votes), Josh Kennedy (West Coast, 5), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn, 4), Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans, 3), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond, 1).
Who do you think will win the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star?
Jack Martin (Gold Coast Suns, 7 votes), James Aish (Brisbane Lions, 2), Jack Billings (St Kilda, 2), Joe Daniher (Essendon, 2), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs, 1), Harry Cunningham (Sydney Swans, 1), Brodie Grundy (Collingwood, 1), Josh Kelly (GWS Giants, 1), Luke McDonald (North Melbourne, 1).
Pendlebury: The captains' choice
New Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury is the early favourite to win the 2014 Brownlow Medal according to his contemporaries.