Two-time AFL Players’ MVP Nat Fyfe has raced to the top of the 2018 Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.
Despite playing in a losing side, and the Dockers posting their lowest score in nine years, both coaches deemed Fyfe’s 33-disposal, eight-mark display as the most dominant on the ground. Of his 33 possessions, 26 were contested to go along with six contested marks in what was a tough day for the Dockers.
The Western Bulldogs’ Jack Macrae’s steady run of performances continued, collecting full votes for his 40 disposals and a goal on Saturday, helping the silky, hard-running midfielder to climb into the top 10 on the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year leaderboard.
Geelong’s first-year star, Tim Kelly, continued his impressive run of form on Friday night, receiving nine coaches votes on the back of his 30 disposals in the Cats’ comfortable victory over the Giants.
While both John Longmire and Brad Scott couldn’t split Shaun Higgins and Mason Wood, with the two players receiving nine votes after leading the Kangaroos to a gritty two-point victory over Sydney.
Previous sole leader, Tom Mitchell, collected five votes from the coaches, making him the joint leader alongside Fyfe.
In total, five players received maximum votes, including Dayne Zorko after an explosive return to form (four goals and 34 disposals), James Sicily (29 disposals and 14 marks), and Richard Douglas (28 disposals and two goals).
AFL Coaches’ Association votes for Round 7:
geelong v gws giants
9 Kelly (Geel), 7 Duncan (Geel), 5 Dangerfield (Geel), 5 Hawkins (Geel), 2 Blicavs (Geel), 2 Henry (Geel).
western bulldogs v gold coast
10 Macrae (WB), 8 Hunter (WB), 6 McLean (WB), 4 Williams (WB), 1 Ah Chee (GCS), 1 Dahlhaus (WB)
essendon v hawthorn
10 Sicily (Haw), 5 Mitchell (Haw), 5 Roughead (Haw), 4 Bellchambers (Ess), 3 Hardwick (Haw), 3 Smith (Haw).
west coast v port adelaide
9 Darling (WCE), 9 Redden (WCE), 6 Gaff (WCE), 3 Rioli (WCE), 2 Hurn (WCE), 1 Cole (WCE).
sydney v north melbourne
9 Higgins (NM), 9 Wood (NM), 4 Kennedy (Syd), 3 Sinclair (Syd), 2 Grundy (Syd), 2 Jacobs (NM), 1 Vickers-Willis (NM).
adelaide v carlton
10 Douglas (Adel), 8 McGovern (Adel), 6 Laird (Adel), 4 Greenwood (Adel), 1 Ellis-Yolmen (Adel), 1 Seedsman (Adel).
richmond v fremantle
10 Fyfe (Frem), 7 Lambert (Rich), 7 Rance (Rich), 2 Grimes (Rich), 2 Martin (Rich), 1 Graham (Rich), 1 Houli (Rich).
st kilda v melbourne
8 Brayshaw (Melb), 7 Oliver (Melb), 6 Hogan (Melb), 5 Gawn (Melb), 3 Hibberd (Melb), 1 Steven (StK).
brisbane v collingwood
10 Zorko (BL), 6 De Goey (Coll), 5 Phillips (Coll), 4 Martin (BL), 3 Taylor (BL), 1 D. Beams (BL), 1 Thomas (Coll).
LEADERBOARD
38 — NAT FYFE (FREM
38 — TOM MITCHELL (HAW)
34 — MAX GAWN (MELB)
31 — DUSTIN MARTIN (RICH)
31 — STEELE SIDEBOTTOM (COLL)
30 — RORY LAIRD (ADEL)
30 — JACK MACRAE (WB)
28 — TRENT COTCHIN (RICH)
28 — PATRICK CRIPPS (CARL)
25 — BRODIE GRUNDY (COLL)