GARY Ablett's Brownlow Medal chances may not be dead after all.
 
That is the view of AFL.com.au's reporters who have Ablett polling 22 votes after 16 rounds of the season, seven votes clear of Sydney Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy in the website's version of the medal.
 
Reporters vote on a 3-2-1 basis after each game and, at this stage of the season, their projections show Ablett to be in the box seat to take home his third 'Charlie'.

Click here to see the Brownlow winners who missed multiple games
 
Josh Kennedy (15 votes), Joel Selwood (14), Lance Franklin (14) and Scott Pendlebury (14) are the players most likely to challenge the Suns' midfield maestro, according to AFL.com.au reporters.
 

Kennedy has been a consistent vote-winner, polling six lots of two votes in games this season.
 
Franklin has been on fire, of late, having been awarded maximum votes on four occasions this year.
  
Look for Franklin to put his best foot forward when he faces his old side Hawthorn in round 18 at the MCG, while he is a near shoo-in to poll maximum votes when the Swans do battle against Essendon in round 19.
 
AFL.com.au has Franklin polling the three votes when the Bombers and Swans met in round nine, while the Swans star has averaged five goals against Essendon during his career.
 
Selwood's form has tapered off in recent weeks, as he plays through soreness. But he still has a keen ability to catch the umpires' eyes and put together best afield efforts on a frequent basis.
 
Pendlebury is another likely to feature in calculations and his 14 votes to this point of the season make him a distinct medal threat.
 
Others in contention include Aaron Sandilands, Trent Cotchin and Travis Boak.
 
AFL.COM.AU's ROUND 16 LEADERBOARD
Gary Ablett (GC) – 22
Josh P Kennedy (Syd) - 15
Joel Selwood (Geel) – 14
Lance Franklin (Syd) – 14
Scott Pendlebury (Coll) – 14
Nat Fyfe* (Frem) – 11
Aaron Sandilands (Frem) – 11
Steve Johnson* (Geel)– 11
Trent Cotchin (Rich) – 10
Travis Boak (Port) - 9
 
*Denotes ineligible