Brownlow Medal smokey Brodie Grundy doesn't believe either he or fellow big man Max Gawn will be celebrating at Monday night's AFL award night.
The Collingwood star says runaway favourite Tom Mitchell should win, despite the popular push behind a ruck to win.
"It's been really nice to be mentioned among those sorts of players but I don't think it's for me this year," he said on Monday.
"Tom Mitchell is going to be pretty hard to beat tonight and I'll be surprised if he doesn't win the Brownlow."
Gawn and Grundy have enjoyed stellar seasons and are rated within the top five chances to win the Brownlow.
A success for either would be a fine tonic to the contention that the prize has become a midfielder's medal.
Not since Scott Wynd's triumph in 1992 has an out-and-out ruck been awarded the medal.
Gawn has established himself as the game's best tapper while Grundy mixed his ruck work with a ball-getting ability most midfielders would be delighted with.
More importantly, the ruck pair powered their clubs into September.
Gawn's Melbourne turfed heavyweights Hawthorn and Geelong from the finals before their own exit on Saturday against West Coast.
Grundy's season isn't finished, with the Eagles waiting for him and Collingwood at the MCG this weekend.
"I'm really happy that we're playing in a grand final this week," Grundy said.
"And to go along (on Monday night). I've never been before to the Brownlow."
Australian Associated Press
