> Watch Heath Shaw, Scott Pendlebury, Harry O'Brien and Darren Jolly address the media on Monday

COLLINGWOOD defender Harry O’Brien will be a reluctant attendee at Monday night’s Brownlow Medal count.

Speaking from the Westpac Centre on Monday, O’Brien confirmed he had been invited to football’s night of nights but, with his club just days away from its biggest match in seven years, he would prefer to be at home preparing.

The Pies meet St Kilda in the AFL grand final on Saturday and O’Brien says he’d rather be going about his normal routine.

“Yeah, you could say that,” O’Brien replied when asked if Monday’s Brownlow Medal count was an unwanted distraction. “I don’t like to use the word unwanted. It’s going to be exciting if one of the boys polls well.

“It’s obvious that Dane Swan is the favourite for it and it is an honour to be selected to be invited to the Brownlow.

“I guess I would probably rather be at home preparing or just keeping off my feet [and] conserving my energy to a degree.

“But it’s just part and parcel of playing off in a grand final and the players that are attending tonight are all mature enough and experienced enough to prepare the best they can for the whole week.”

Swan is the $1.80 favourite with TAB Sportsbet, and could be in for a long night should he grace the stage as all bookmakers believe he will.

Teammate Scott Pendlebury ($11) is also among the favourites but said he wasn't a realistic chance to take home the medal.

“I reckon Swanny will sew it up,” Pendlebury said.

However he is looking forward to a night of no alcohol.

“I’ve been to a couple and I’ve always wished I was one of those blokes drinking water,” he said.

“I think there’s 14 other clubs that wished they were in our shoes.”