The Tamworth Kangaroos are on top of the table by merit, so will poll strongly in most of their matches this year. Tim Cotter, their captain and coach, may be the most talented footballer in the League at present and his class and reputation will see him attract votes. Cameron Douglas, leading their goal kicking but also one of their midfield engines, has also had another good season and might be the sensible favourite for the title. Both of those are previous Gillies Medallists, but again they may have more support in 2011 with the likes of Luke Robinson and Matthew Hodge to steal votes away through the year. Ben Coombes, one of their most reliable and an outstanding defender, may also suffer from the backman's curse in catching the umpire's eye.
The New England Nomads appear the team most likely to challenge the Kangaroos, and in a good year for them are the only side to have beaten the Minor Premiers. Dave Richards has been a revelation for them in a star studded forward line, along with Hamish Ross and the familiar face of Weston Whitby. They will all attract a share of votes, but it remains to be seen whether they also pick each others pockets through the year. Richards probably looks the most likely of those three. Hamish Pearce is all class for the Nomads in the centre, but he has missed his share of games this season which might haunt him in the final tally. Gavin Nelson is another hard worker for the New Englanders, but his efforts are more those noticed by a coach and not an umpire.
The Inverell Saints, the yard stick of the League in recent years, have produced Gillies Medallists in Peter Heath and Corey Wheeler the last two years. Neither of those stars remain in the Sapphire City, but they have developed strongly late in the season and will score their share of votes. Chris Whitton has been in superb form for them of late, and kicking bags of goals is always liable to draw the attention of the men in orange. Justin Pay has been a workhorse in that area, but might be a little too tradesman like to poll enough votes to top the tally. Their's is a much more balanced team in 2011, and that clear standout might be missing to see them win another League honour.
The Gunnedah Bulldogs have 2009 Gillies Medallist Sam Naismith amongst their team list, but his form this year is not what it was in his first season. Andrew George is probably their best, and he has played well through the year and would be expected to probably top the count for them. Matt Pengilly has been impressive in his first year of football, and being in the centre and about most of the action is where the bulk of the votes normally come from. He might be a bit like a Michael Barlow in last year's Brownlow, and be too much of an unknown to poll to his desserts early on. John Woolaston has stood up in the back for the Bulldogs, but a fullback is at any price to win the League's top individual prize.
The Narrabri Eagles shocked everyone with their flying start to the year, and have taken stock recently to prepare for their first ever finals assault. Their strength is in the class of their two midfield stars, Duane Shawcross and Mark Barrow. Shawcross was possibly unlucky not to win the Gillies Medal last year, and his efforts this year would rival what he did in that season. He must rate a show on that basis. Mark Barrow, who tasted a Premiership with the Kangaroos during the Eagles' brief hibernation, has been their best for the season. He is everywhere on the ground for them, collects multiple possessions, and everything he does has a sprinkle of class. He should poll very well, particularly early in the year. Outside of that pair, Tim Cooper has been brilliant and kicked plenty of goals but missed his share of matches, and Daniel Hughes and Andrew Irvine have also been good but won't get the attention of the other two.
The Muswellbrook Cats will be chuffed their efforts this year, turning their first win in fifty matches into three big victories for the season. Their success has not been by accident, and they will collect a share of the votes as well. Stuart McAdam can't be missed for them and is traditionally involved in anything good they do, but he has been supported this year by newcomer Scott Bailey. He is another whose stature draws the eye, and his use of the footy will tick some umpires' boxes at different times. John Mahy and Tyson Morgan have also impressed, and should feature, but might just be up against it to tally a winning count. Young Beau Dixon has been a brilliant recent addition to their team from their junior base, but won't have enough matches to catch whoever is in front of him.
The Tamworth Swans will run out wooden spooners, but their captain Damien Wendt, a two-time Gillies Medallist, has again been magnificent in the centre for them. He may poll strongly, but Simon Freer seems the Swans most likely. He has been a beacon of brilliance in a tough year and should collect a good share of minor votes. Whether that will be enough in the end is not known, and it would be brave to predict a League Best and Fairest would come out of the last placed team.
THE VERDICT: This year has been one of new faces, but in the end the count will come down to two familiar ones. Mark Barrow will crack off to an early lead. After a machine gun effect with the count, Dave Richards and Scott Bailey will challenge, but Cameron Douglas will emerge as the danger. There won't be much in it, but the phantom call is that Mark Barrow will be the 2011 Gillies Medallist.