The greatest player of modern times, Gary Ablett, will have the chance to add another accomplishment to his lengthy resume as he returns to Geelong this season.

The two-time Brownlow Medalist is just 12 votes behind Gary Dempsey for the most career votes in the AFL’s most prestigious medal.

Injury has restricted Gazza to just 12, 6 and 5 votes in the last three years whilst playing in one of the competition’s weakest teams. His career average is 14.93 votes over his 16 seasons.

Most AFL Brownlow Medal career votes

  1. Gary Dempsey – 246
  2. Gary Ablett Jr – 234
  3. Sam Mitchell – 227
  4. Robert Harvey – 215
  5. Chris Judd – 210
  6. Leigh Matthew – 202
  7. Brent Harvey – 191
  8. Dane Swan – 186
  9. Simon Black – 184
  10. Joel Selwood – 181

With 10th placed Joel Selwood and superstar Patrick Dangerfield likely to provide stiff competition for votes, will the returning Cat legend be able to break the record this season?