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.
Brisbane Lions
Richmond
Melbourne
Sydney Swans
Geelong Cats
Collingwood
Fremantle
Western Bulldogs
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Steven May | MELB |
| 10 | Lachie Neale | BL |
| 10 | Caleb Serong | FRE |
| 9 | Gary Rohan | GEEL |
| 8 | Luke Parker | SYD |
| 7 | Marcus Bontempelli | WB |
| 7 | Hugh McCluggage | BL |
| 7 | Michael Walters | FRE |
| 6 | Darcy Moore | COLL |
| 5 | Jordan De Goey | COLL |
| 5 | Scott Pendlebury | COLL |
| 4 | Zac Bailey | BL |
| 3 | Tom Atkins | GEEL |
| 3 | Jake Lloyd | SYD |
| 3 | Callum Mills | SYD |
| 3 | Clayton Oliver | MELB |
| 3 | James Rowbottom | SYD |
| 3 | Brandon Starcevich | BL |
| 2 | Brennan Cox | FRE |
| 2 | Daniel McStay | BL |
| 2 | Luke Ryan | FRE |
| 2 | Nick Vlastuin | RICH |
