Last year, the repetition of the same few names during the reading of the votes became, frankly, tedious. Moreover, there was no sense of healthy rivalry as at the Brownlow Medal. There can be no sense of your player against mine at the Border Medal. Notionally, everyone is on the same side. Further, cricket is more hostage to its numbers than football.
Players generally vote on orthodox lines.
This is not to say that the winner will not be worthy, or the night worthwhile, or the concept worth retaining. Australians love the chance to pay homage to their sport ing heroes. The fact that the international cricket has been non-competitive this season has had no effect on the size of the crowds. Besides, there is always something compelling about the sight of a sports star squeezed into a dinner suit. The show will go on.