2026 Brownlow Medal on Channel 7 and 7plus: history beckons on Monday night – Football’s night of nights returns at 7.30pm AEST on Monday, 21 September. Channel 7 and 7plus will show the 2026 Charles Brownlow Medal count live and free from Crown Melbourne.
Nick Daicos leads the field
Collingwood midfielder Nick Daicos enters the count as the clear favourite after a stellar 2026 season. However, Brownlow Medal history shows that the result is never certain before the votes are read.
Geelong’s Bailey Smith is also in contention. Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and dual winner Patrick Cripps are among the other leading names.
Channel 7’s Brownlow coverage
Hamish McLachlan hosts Channel 7’s live coverage alongside 7NEWS Melbourne Chief Sport Presenter Rebecca Maddern. Abbey Holmes leads the Brownlow Medal Red Carpet, thanks to Colgate.
Emma Freedman, Dale Thomas and Matthew Richardson will join the red-carpet coverage. They will speak with players and their partners before the count begins.
Seven Network Head of AFL and Sport Innovation Gary O’Keeffe said the uncertainty is central to the occasion.
“Every year we think we know how the Brownlow will play out, and almost every year there’s a twist or turn,” he said.
“Nick Daicos will rightly enter the night as favourite. However, Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps are in the mix. Nothing is guaranteed.”
O’Keeffe said the broadcast would follow the glamour of the red carpet and the count. It will include the return of the Colgate Sparklebot slow-motion camera.
AFL Grand Final week
The Brownlow Medal begins Channel 7 and 7plus’ AFL Grand Final week. The Agenda Setters returns at 8.30pm on Tuesday, 22 September with a Grand Final special.
On Wednesday, Centimetre Perfect celebrates the life and career of Dennis Cometti. The documentary premieres at 8.30pm. AFLW Round Seven then begins on Thursday with Geelong v Hawthorn. A Grand Final edition of The Front Bar follows.
When to watch
2026 Charles Brownlow Medal Count
Live and free, Monday 21 September, 7.30pm AEST
Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus
For more TV Central Channel 7 AFL news, head here. Visit the AFL’s official Brownlow Medal page for more information.