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

Elimination Finals

Votes by Match

Votes by Match

Thu, September 6
Richmond
vs
Hawthorn
Votes
Player (Club)
10
Dylan Grimes (RICH)
7
Dustin Martin (RICH)
4
Dion Prestia (RICH)
4
Daniel Rioli (RICH)
3
Tom Mitchell (HAW)
2
Kamdyn McIntosh (RICH)
Fri, September 7
Melbourne
vs
Geelong Cats
Votes
Player (Club)
9
Sam Weideman (MELB)
8
James Harmes (MELB)
4
Clayton Oliver (MELB)
4
Max Gawn (MELB)
3
Tom McDonald (MELB)
2
Angus Brayshaw (MELB)
Sat, September 8
Sydney Swans
vs
GWS Giants
Votes
Player (Club)
9
Toby Greene (GWS)
8
Phil Davis (GWS)
7
Callan Ward (GWS)
4
Harry Himmelberg (GWS)
1
Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
1
Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
West Coast Eagles
vs
Collingwood
Votes
Player (Club)
10
Elliot Yeo (WCE)
7
Jack Redden (WCE)
5
Taylor Adams (COLL)
5
Steele Sidebottom (COLL)
2
Jeremy McGovern (WCE)
1
Brayden Sier (COLL)

Leaderboard

Votes Player Club
10 Dylan Grimes RICH
10 Elliot Yeo WCE
9 Toby Greene GWS
9 Sam Weideman MELB
8 Phil Davis GWS
8 James Harmes MELB
7 Dustin Martin RICH
7 Jack Redden WCE
7 Callan Ward GWS
5 Taylor Adams COLL
5 Steele Sidebottom COLL
4 Max Gawn MELB
4 Harry Himmelberg GWS
4 Clayton Oliver MELB
4 Dion Prestia RICH
4 Daniel Rioli RICH
3 Tom McDonald MELB
3 Tom Mitchell HAW
2 Angus Brayshaw MELB
2 Jeremy McGovern WCE
2 Kamdyn McIntosh RICH
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