Kane Cornes is predicting a first Brownlow Medal for Port Adelaide this season.
The Power games record holder is tipping Travis Boak to claim the 2020 Brownlow after a remarkable season.
Boak, 32, is averaging more than 23 disposals per game as well as five clearances, four inside 50s and a tick under four tackles, with his brilliant form coinciding with Port’s move to the top of the ladder.
Cornes is forecasting an upset of sorts in this year’s Brownlow count.
“There’s going to be a Brownlow Medal winner and it’s not Lachie Neale,” he said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“Boaky’s going to win this Brownlow Medal, you watch.
“I’ll crunch some numbers: He’s got another perfect 10 from the coaches on the weekend which is his fifth perfect 10 of the season.
“He’s now only six votes behind Lachie Neale in the coaches votes and that would be the most accurate award in terms of who is having the most dominant and consistent season.
“He’s a proven vote getter - 21 votes in 2014, (16 in 2015), he got 16 last year and Port Adelaide won 10 games - and tell me who else is going to take votes off Travis Boak.
“Of all the players that have had a really strong season, Tom Jonas would be lucky to get a vote because they don’t recognise the backmen, (Darcy) Byrne-Jones, good solid season, top 5 in the best and fairest but won’t get a vote because he’s a backman.
“The only one is Ollie Wines. He’s the only player that’s going to take any votes off Travis Boak. Robbie Gray’s been quiet and he’s a vote getter. (Charlie) Dixon doesn’t vote (as a key forward).
“I’m calling it. Travis Boak could be Port Adelaide’s first ever Brownlow Medallist.
“That would be massive. Flying under the radar a little bit.
“He could become the oldest winner of the Brownlow Medal which would be incredible.”
Cornes continued: “His last two seasons - best and fairest last year, he’ll win it again this year.
“He’ll be All-Australian, I think he’ll probably be All-Australian captain and he could win the Brownlow Medal.
“Just a remarkable season and a credit to the work he’s done to keep himself ahead of the game and in the physical shape that he’s in.”
Co-host Andrew Hayes also spoke glowingly of veteran midfielder Boak who has been in dominant form over the last few years.
“Just quietly behind the scenes, he’s really been chalking them up,” he said of Boak.
“The AFL Coaches votes would suggest he’s very much in the mix. He’s almost locked in three votes on the weekend as well.
“What about Travis Boak’s career post when he was sent to the forward line. It’s unbelievable.”