Gary Ablett could finish his impressive playing career with three Brownlow Medals around his neck, according to Brisbane champion Simon Black.

The 34-year-old Lions great, who took home the award in 2002, is expecting Ablett to add another Brownlow to his never-ending resume after the Gold Coast skipper produced another extraordinary season. 

“We are talking about one of the greatest midfielders of all time so he is good enough to win three Brownlow's… this might not be his last,” Black told the Courier Mail.

“He could definitely do it. He’s just amazing. He is just an animal and has had another great season.”

By his own lofty standards Ablett had a surprise quiet patch late in the Premiership, but Black is convinced his rocket start and strong early season form will be enough to get him home. 

“The first three quarters of the year will be good enough to get him home I reckon. Guys like Selwood and Mitchell will come at him late but he should hold on so I’m on the Gary Ablett bandwagon for sure,” he said.

GC SUNS part-time coaching advisor – Malcolm Blight, admitted nerves may get the better of him tonight, with the dual-Premiership coach conceding he’ll be keeping his “fingers crossed” in hope Ablett becomes the first Gold Coast player to win Charlie.

“To be perfectly honest, I’ve got my fingers crossed,” Blight said.

“At Round 16 or 17 I would have said he was a certainty but the next four weeks he wouldn’t have got any votes.

“He didn’t play poorly but he wouldn’t have polled anything until the last round. Those Collingwood boys will be right up there along with Mitchell too.

“Gary has been so incredibly consistent over the last six or seven seasons and is always in the mix but they are bloody hard things to win.”