IN THE lead-up to Melbourne’s Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood at the MCG, melbournefc.com.au canvassed the thoughts of several Demons to find out who they thought would win this year’s best and fairest award – the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy …

Rohan Bail

“Guys that have been playing consistent footy are Lynden Dunn, Nathan Jones, Daniel Cross, Dom Tyson, Matt Jones – I reckon those guys would be around the mark at the moment. As to who wins it? It’s hard to predict, but genuinely at the moment, I think that’d be the top five.”

Lynden Dunn

“I reckon Nathan Jones will probably be right up there and Dom Tyson wouldn’t be far behind him. They’re both going well. Jonesy’s won the last two, so it’d be nice to see someone else win it this year. Dom Tyson had a bit of a slow start in the first few games, but then he’s worked really hard on the defensive aspect of his game. He’s been going really well, so they’re my two [tips].”

Colin Garland

“You probably can’t go past Jonesy (Nathan Jones) still. He might do a Brisbane Lions and win a three-peat. Dom Tyson and Daniel Cross would be right up there – the coaches and the players love the job he’s (Cross) doing. Maybe Lynden Dunn as well, so probably Dunny, Crossy, Jonesy and Tyson – one of those four, but I’d say Jonesy would still probably be leading the way.”

Jeremy Howe 

“I’m going to say leading the B and F is Dom Tyson, but I reckon ‘Chunk’ (Nathan Jones) will win it. I reckon he’ll triple it and go three in a row. He’s been playing benchmark footy and I reckon he’s got another level to go to. They’re my odds. Dom [Tyson] will have to be a chance as well. He’s been averaging mid 20s disposals per game and he’s also a goalkicker. It’ll be one of the mids – no doubt, but Dunny’s (Lynden Dunn) had a good performance. He’ll be up there, but it is hard to say at the moment. There’s a fair bit to go and we’ll wait and see – but I’ll be a chance (laughing).”

Jay Kennedy-Harris

“There’s actually a lot of boys playing good footy. If I was just going to pick one person, it’d be Dom Tyson. I think Dom Tyson’s been really consistent and has carried out his role offensively and defensively. If he keeps going like that, he deserves the best and fairest.”

Tom McDonald 

“I hate to say it (laughing), but Lynden Dunn. He’s probably been the most consistent. The mids have been pretty fantastic – like Dom Tyson and Nathan Jones – but I don’t think Dunny has had a down game. The way the B and F works – it’s more about consistency and being able to perform every week, rather than 10 superstar games. It’s probably Dunny, I’d say at this stage.”

Cam Pedersen

“I’d say Dom Tyson is winning it now, but I’d probably say that Jonesy (Nathan Jones) will make it three in a row. His consistent and always around the ball, and midfielders always get lots of votes (laughing).”

Dom Tyson

“It’s something as a player you don’t worry about at all, but to answer the question, it’s clearly Nathan Jones. He’s playing outstanding footy for us and he’s taken on the best players in opposition teams and he’s come out on top most weeks. But for us, we just worry about each week at the moment. Collingwood’s midfield is going to be pretty good, so we’ve got to be able to play pretty good football against them, because they’re good players.”

Jack Viney 

“For me, Nathan Jones would be leading at the moment. I think he’s in really good form and he’ll end up continuing that form until the end of the year and winning the B and F – that’s my thoughts.”

Jack Watts

“My thoughts are that one of coach’s favourites – Dom Tyson – will be right up there at this stage of the year. He’s been playing some really good footy and he kicks some goals, which the coaches love. He’ll be right up there, but the usual contenders – and they’re boring (laughing) – are like Nathan Jones, who will be around the mark. It could even be a Tommy McDonald or a Lynden Dunn down back – they’re playing some pretty solid footy, although after Dunny’s torp down the middle last week, I don’t know if that would’ve earned him many votes (laughing). They (McDonald and Dunn) have been playing really well.”