If all things were theoretically normal, we know he would be polling very strongly.
But of course, this season is very, very much not normal.
Do you think the umpires would conspire to blacklist him from getting any votes? I mean, they still have to award them, don't they? Do we think that this could become an issue when the ceremony comes around?
Could you imagine the uproar if he did win it, even though there's really no reason why he wouldn't be a legit winner? Would he be booed on stage?
What if points got stripped, then who gets the votes? Are they null and void?
Naïvely, you would expect Jobe to pick up more votes because it’s now impossible to not notice any possession he gets. But we know umps can be corrupt* (Hird vs WCE, 2004). I’m very confident Watson will get love from the crowd at the Brownlow. * please be clear that I’m accusing all three of them as being corrupt. It’s OK to say that; it’s not OK to say only one of the three is thus inflicted.
He should poll lots of 2's and 3's. Unfortunately it's seemingly impossible for anyone to win back-to-back brownlows after Judd missed it in 2011 and Ablett still only has 1. So you never know what the umps are thinking.
Would love our players to boycott the brownlow if we are stripped if points. Have a function at hirdys place with camera man and Luke Darcy there to interview jobe, Goddard and heppell if required.