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Nat Fyfe at short Brownlow price

By Kim Hagdorn
10 January 2013 04:19PM EST

PROMISING Fremantle midfielder Nat Fyfe is a surprise short-priced Brownlow Medal chance in early betting markets.

Fyfe, 21, managed just nine home-and-away games last season as the classy ball-player battled a serious shoulder injury and sits on the third line of betting alongside Hawthorn midfield ball-magnet Sam Mitchell at $14.

Fyfe polled votes in six of his nine engagements after missing all matches between Rounds 6-17 and making a triumphant return to play the last five games of the qualifying rounds and then Fremantle’s two finals against Geelong and Adelaide.

Last year’s Brownlow winner and Essendon captain Jobe Watson shares favouritism with superstar Gary Ablett, who won the coveted medal in 2009 and another budding young star Trent Cotchin from Richmond at $8.

Big possession winning Collingwood duo Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan, who won in the Brownlow in 2011, as well as dynamic Adelaide on-baller Patrick Dangerfield share the second line of betting at $11.

Fyfe has appeal with his proven vote getting capacity after the rangy Dockers follower racked up 14 votes from his limited appearances last season.

He was also firm favourite to win Fremantle’s fairest-and-best in 2011 when he was surprisingly upset by Dockers superstar and regular club champion winner Matthew Pavlich.

Leading betting outlets sportsbet.com.au as well as playeronline.com.au each has started the rising Docker short in early markets.

Fyfe is a surprisingly outright second favourite at $10.50 at playeronline.com.au behind Cotchin, Watson and Ablett at $8.

Cotchin, 22, will captain the Tigers for a first time as replacement on-field leader with veteran Chris Newman stepping down at the end of last season.

Cotchin also gets strong expectation for a possible Brownlow win on the back of his stunning 2012 to finish equal runner-up with Mitchell.

Cotchin, a brilliant ball-winner and clearances master, stormed home with a stack of votes last year.

He racked up 15 of his overall 26 votes in his last eight games.

He polled in six of his last eight outings including four best-on-ground three votes.

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Add your comment... Comments (1)
lb 15 January 2013 2:41PM

It would seem others are not as surprised as you, Kim!