2018 Gary Ayres Medal betting guide – odds, value tips & dark horses

The Gary Ayres Medal has slowly become one of the most-wanted medals the AFL has to offer.

Named after the Hawthorn champion who was twice awarded the Norm Smith Medal in Grand Final victories, the Gary Ayres Medal is awarded to the best player throughout the entire finals series.

Votes are given after each match during finals, similar to the coaches’ award in a 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 system where each coach gives the most votes to the best player, meaning one player can reach a maximum of 10 votes in one match.

Since being introduced in 2016, the medal has been awarded to Josh Kennedy of Sydney and Dustin Martin of Richmond. This will be the third season that the medal will be bestowed — so who is in the running to win it?

It’s important to factor in that the teams that play more finals games are more likely to produce the Gary Ayres Medalist, given they will have more opportunities to poll votes. Each of the two medalists so far have come from teams that have made the Grand Final.

There are many talented candidates among the eight final teams. Here are the top five best backed players for this years’ finals series.

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The favourites for the 2018 Gary Ayres Medal

Dustin Martin @ $7.00

Last year’s winner has placed himself in serious contention to go back to back this year. Of all the players in the yellow and black, Dustin Martin is the biggest match-winner. His sublime finals performance last season in Richmond‘s premiership campaign was capped off by both the Gary Ayres Medal and Norm Smith Medal and it’s hard to bet against him, given he’ll come into September in-form, fit and ready to wreak havoc.

Tom Mitchell @ $7.00

The Hawthorn ball-magnet Tom Mitchell has put his heart on the line for the Hawks in 2018 and we’re expecting his play to go to another level in finals. Mitchell is the obvious choice for the Hawks, given his ability to accumulate the ball, involve his teammates and impact the scoreboard. He polled well in the coaches’ association player of the year in 2018 and we think they’ll continue to favour the former Swan.

Brodie Grundy @ $10.00

The big Collingwood ruckman was awarded All Australian honours and has solidified himself as one of the league’s best players. Not only does Grundy need to be considered in this market, but the $10 on offer could be the best value in this market, given the amount of matches and opportunities to poll votes is also vital. The Pies could play three to four matches this finals series and Grundy will be the superior ruckman against all of his team’s possible finals opponents.

Scott Pendlebury @ $10.00

By far the most experienced player in the top five, Scott Pendlebury is the most dependable and elite footballer you can find. Pendlebury knows the ins and outs of finals footy and is ready to take the next step as the intensity rises. The want to win another premiership still burns brightly in his heart, a massive factor when punting upon an older player. Scott is more than likely going to poll votes in all the matches he plays.

Kane Lambert @ $12.00

A smokey to say the least. Kane Lambert is currently recovering from surgery on his ankle which he underwent back in early August. Needless to say, it’s not easy to immediately get back to your best footy, but Lambert is one of the better players at Richmond when fit and healthy. It would take something special for Lambert to win the award, we’re recommending you look elsewhere.

Gary Ayres Dark Horses

Steele Sidebottom @ $16.00

The All Australian wingman made a massive impact in 2018 with his aerobic capacity and goal-sense. Sidebottom is one of the league’s classiest movers, kicking beautifully with both feet and finding a plethora of the footy. If you think the Pies will play more than two matches this year, it’s a fair assumption that Sidebottom could win the award off just three matches.

Max Gawn @ $18.00

Gawn is a huge chance to win the Gary Ayres Medal. After already proving he can win over the coaches by winning the Coaches’ Award for his dominant regular season, Gawn can easily bring his form into the finals and guide his Demons to the pinnacle. At $18.00 you would have to give him a chance, but will Melbourne play enough games?

Jaeger O’Meara @ $28.00

If not Mitchell, then O’Meara is the next-best bet at the Hawks. Jaeger has already shown himself to be a match-winner. The coaches appreciate the young mans’ guts and determination and if he shows the same traits during the finals, he can easily draw attention and poll votes.

Jack Riewoldt @ $34.00

The Coleman Medallist is one of our game’s best forwards, kicking an inspiring 65 goals in the home and away season. If Jack kicks a bag during the finals, it will be looked upon favourably, given how difficult they are to get in these big matches. Coaches understand the importance of forward craft and Riewoldt will be reward for his selfless attitude and forward pressure. At $34, Riewoldt, at the peak of his powers and it red-hot form, is a very good bet.

Lance Franklin @ $51.00

Similar to Riewoldt, Franklin kicks goals, and plenty of them. Of all the players in the league, nobody averaged more goals this season than Lance Franklin. If the Swans can survive the first couple of weeks, they could find themselves in a preliminary final — the week that Franklin loves the most. Even if they don’t make the Grand Final, Buddy is still a chance to poll enough votes to see him pinch the medal.

2018 Gary Ayres Medal tip

Our tip would have to be Brodie Grundy.

The Collingwood big man has been demolishing inferior ruckman over the last month of football, is fresh off his first All Australian nod and will come up against teams that don’t have a true number one ruckman to oppose him.

If Grundy stays fit and Collingwood play three or more games, we expect him to make good on the $10 you can get on his Gary Ayres Medal chances.