The footy season is well and truly over, but there’s one (former) player who isn’t giving up his spot in the limelight without a fight. In the last month, there wouldn’t be a football personality in the country who could rival the amount of time Ed Lower has spent on TV.

There’s just one week left of Big Brother, and the former North Melbourne player is one of six contestants remaining in the house.

Despite a 42-game career with the Kangaroos that took place between 2006 and 2010 and a successful post-footy career as a player agent for Strategic Financial Group Australia, the Australian public now knows Ed best as Big Brother’s “prince charming”.

His good looks and caring, calm persona have made him a fan favourite, but it’s clear who his biggest supporter is – his own big brother.

Ed’s twin brother Nick has gone to extreme measures to help his brother’s cause, compiling a blog titled “My Little Brother in Big Brother”, which he updates most nights. Nick has compiled 72 entries during Ed’s 93 nights in the house.

While it’s been an exhausting three months for Ed, it certainly hasn’t been a walk in the park for Nick, either.

“It’s been quite time-consuming,” Nick admits. “I haven’t missed an episode.”

“I think for us as a family, we didn’t realise how much of a toll it would take on us. You do your best to stay on top of social media and keep him in the press and in the front of people’s minds – especially those times he’s up for eviction, when you exhaust every avenue to try to make sure he gets as many votes as possible so he stays in the house.”

Nick has made a big effort to support his brother, but has also been buoyed by the way the AFL community has backed Ed.

The AFL public’s efforts have helped keep Ed in the house up until this point and while the finish line looms just ahead, and Nick would love to see his brother win, a victory would be more of a bonus than anything else.

“To win would be fantastic, but I don’t think it was all about that,” Nick admits.

“If you asked him yourself I think he’d say he decided to go on the show for the experience and the challenge that was Big Brother.”

Stepping outside his comfort zone was a big part of that.

“Some people have criticised him for being boring. He’s certainly not boring, but he’s not one of those really extroverted, out-there people either so I think this has kind of demanded that he gives a bit more of his personality. I’m sure that he’s learned a lot of lessons being inside the house.”

It’s been the positive experience Ed’s been due for.

“Having finished a career at such a young age due to injury, when he’d had some pretty good games and pretty good finals series under his belt, it’s shattering for someone who grew up dreaming of playing AFL, and who got that chance but then had it taken away from them.”

After three months apart, the brothers will soon be united once again. But Nick will have to give him some bad news. Despite playing 13 games for the Bulldogs this year, Nick was delisted at season’s end and faces the prospect of joining his brother in retirement.

“It’s certainly going to be a shock to Ed. I still see him roaming around the house in some Western Bulldogs gear that I gave him before he went in, so he’ll certainly be shocked by it all.

“I’d love to continue to play, but whether or not that opportunity comes, I’m not too sure. If that is the end of my AFL career, I’ll certainly be playing football somewhere.”

With his AFL future up in the air, Nick is well-placed to transition into a new career when the time comes.

“Through the AFL Next Goal Program I’ve been working commercial real estate at CBRE, so I was really grateful for that opportunity. When football started to come to an end for me they offered me a job full-time, which I’ll probably start in the new year and I’m really looking forward to. Working there one day a week during the year certainly made that transition a lot easier.”

For the moment, Nick’s post-season plans are on hold. Ed has a competition to win, and Nick is determined to give one last push to help his brother reach the finish line.

Ed is currently up for eviction, and it’s up to Australia to make sure he doesn’t fall at the final hurdle.

As Nick says on his blog, “It’s about time a nice guy finished first!”

You can vote for Ed by calling 1902 55 95 04, SMSing ‘ED’ to 199 55 999, or by visiting the Facebook page.

Nick Lower’s blog ‘My Little Brother in Big Brother’ can be found here.