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.
West Coast Eagles
Western Bulldogs
Geelong Cats
Hawthorn
Sydney Swans
GWS Giants
Adelaide Crows
North Melbourne
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Eddie Betts | ADEL |
| 10 | Jeremy Cameron | GWS |
| 10 | Caleb Daniel | WB |
| 8 | Joel Selwood | GEEL |
| 8 | Brodie Smith | ADEL |
| 7 | Stephen Coniglio | GWS |
| 7 | Lachie Whitfield | GWS |
| 6 | Luke Dahlhaus | WB |
| 6 | Jordan Lewis | HAW |
| 5 | Mark Blicavs | GEEL |
| 5 | Cameron Guthrie | GEEL |
| 5 | Tom Lynch | ADEL |
| 5 | Taylor Walker | ADEL |
| 4 | Liam Picken | WB |
| 3 | Shaun Burgoyne | HAW |
| 3 | Joel Hamling | WB |
| 3 | Jason Johannisen | WB |
| 2 | Luke Breust | HAW |
| 2 | Dan Hannebery | SYD |
| 2 | Lachie Hunter | WB |
| 2 | Tom Liberatore | WB |
| 2 | Devon Smith | GWS |
