Gary Ayres Award (Best Finals Player)

The AFL Coaches Association Gary Ayres Award is presented in recognition of the player who has been adjudged as the best player throughout the AFL Finals series, as voted by the coaches on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the AFL Finals Series. 

Votes are issued after every game of the AFL Finals series by the competing coaches, with each coach providing their 5-4-3-2-1 for the match. 

From 2022 any AFL Grand Final votes issued will receive 1.5 times loading.

ABOUT GARY AYRES

Gary Ayres was a member of 5 Hawthorn premiership teams – 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1991 and is a two time Norm Smith Medallist, adjudged best on ground in 1986 and 1988.

Ayres coached 223 AFL games between 1995 and 2004: 116 with Geelong and 107 with Adelaide.

SEASON

Finals Week 1

Votes by Match

Votes by Match

Thu, October 1
Port Adelaide
vs
Geelong Cats
Votes
Player (Club)
9
Ollie Wines (PORT)
5
Sam Powell-Pepper (PORT)
4
Tom Rockliff (PORT)
4
Hamish Hartlett (PORT)
3
Brad Ebert (PORT)
2
Steven Motlop (PORT)
2
Brandan Parfitt (GEEL)
1
Rhys Stanley (GEEL)
Fri, October 2
Brisbane Lions
vs
Richmond
Votes
Player (Club)
10
Daniel Rich (BL)
6
Hugh McCluggage (BL)
6
Charlie Cameron (BL)
6
Harris Andrews (BL)
2
Jarryd Lyons (BL)
Sat, October 3
St Kilda
vs
Western Bulldogs
Votes
Player (Club)
9
Paddy Ryder (STK)
7
Caleb Daniel (WB)
7
Dougal Howard (STK)
3
Jarryn Geary (STK)
2
Bailey Williams (WB)
2
Tim Membrey (STK)
West Coast Eagles
vs
Collingwood
Votes
Player (Club)
10
Nic Naitanui (WCE)
4
Brody Mihocek (COLL)
4
Taylor Adams (COLL)
3
Liam Ryan (WCE)
3
Mason Cox (COLL)
2
Adam Treloar (COLL)
2
Jack Darling (WCE)
1
Josh Daicos (COLL)
1
Levi Greenwood (COLL)

Leaderboard

Votes Player Club
10 Nic Naitanui WCE
10 Daniel Rich BL
9 Paddy Ryder STK
9 Ollie Wines PORT
7 Caleb Daniel WB
7 Dougal Howard STK
6 Harris Andrews BL
6 Charlie Cameron BL
6 Hugh McCluggage BL
5 Sam Powell-Pepper PORT
4 Taylor Adams COLL
4 Hamish Hartlett PORT
4 Brody Mihocek COLL
4 Tom Rockliff PORT
3 Mason Cox COLL
3 Brad Ebert PORT
3 Jarryn Geary STK
3 Liam Ryan WCE
2 Jack Darling WCE
2 Jarryd Lyons BL
2 Tim Membrey STK
2 Steven Motlop PORT
2 Brandan Parfitt GEEL
2 Adam Treloar COLL
2 Bailey Williams WB
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