Most pundits had all but awarded Fyfe the Brownlow in the middle of the season with an anticipated 10 best-on-ground performances in his pocket after just 13 rounds.

His white-hot start to the season had him a runaway favourite with the bookies.

But it's been slim pickings for Fyfe since round 14, with the 23-year-old averaging 23 disposals, 15 contested possessions and eight clearances a game – well down on his season average of 29, 18 and nine respectively.

By the end of the regular season, Fyfe would have missed four games which means he will have to defy history to claim the game's most coveted individual award.

The only player to have won the Brownlow after missing four matches was St Kilda and Richmond legend Ian Stewart back in 1965.

Gavin Wanganeen was the last player to take home Charlie after playing just 18 games, but that was in 1993 when there were only 20 home-and-away games.

The door is more than a little ajar for the chasing pack to gazump Fyfe in the final rounds.

North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein, Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell, Fremantle onballer David Mundy, reigning Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis, Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak and Sydney hard nut Dan Hannebery look to be the main challengers.

Goldstein has been a dominant force in the middle of the ground for the Kangaroos this season and needs only another 70 hitouts to break the all-time record held by Gary Dempsey (952).

If Goldstein were to win the Brownlow this year, he would be the first ruckman to do so since Sydney's Adam Goodes in 2003.

Priddis could become the first player to win back-to-back Brownlows since St Kilda champion Robert Harvey (1997-98) and given the Eagles' star is ranked No. 1 in the competition this season for disposals and tackles, No. 3 for contested possessions and No. 4 for clearances, he is a definite chance.

Mitchell has been a Brownlow bridesmaid twice, but his outstanding season could see him break that pattern.

While sitting out the last two matches will have an impact on Fyfe's Brownlow chances, history suggests it won't affect Fremantle's ability to win their final two games, secure top spot and avoid a first-up finals clash meeting with back-to-back premiers Hawthorn.

Of the past 10 games in which Fyfe hasn't played, the Dockers have won seven. On Sunday, they host Melbourne at Domain Stadium and, in reality, could win without half of their best team.

The challenge for Fremantle comes in the last round when they face a rejuvenated Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

If they lose to the Power and West Coast win their final two games, Ross Lyon and his men will give up the much more attractive prospect of hosting Sydney in the first week of the finals and have to steel themselves for a showdown with the flag-favourite Hawks.