Comeback forward Taylor Walker topped the coaches’ votes at the Gabba on Sunday.
Walker kicked a season-high six goals in Adelaide’s 105-point win over the Brisbane Lions to earn seven votes from Brenton Sanderson and Justin Leppitsch. The Crows spearhead also amassed 21 disposals, six marks, five inside 50ms and a goal assist. He’s kicked 27 goals in 12 games this season and moved into eighth place on the Club’s all-time leading goalkicker list with 190 goals from 81 career matches.
Sam Jacobs and Rory Sloane each received seven votes. Jacobs provided his midfielders with some silver service. Jacobs won 39 hit-outs, including an equal-round high 13 to advantage. The in-form ruckman took six marks, won four clearances and three inside 50ms. He was involved in more scores (14) than any other Crow, slotting two goals of his own and directly assisting in two others.
Sloane worked tirelessly offensively and defensively. The uncompromising onballer collected 28 possessions, eight marks, six inside 50ms, four clearances and two goals. He also laid 11 tackles – Ranked No.1 in the AFL in Round 20. Sloane has now polled votes from the coaches in eight games this season – more than any other Crow.
Half-forward Brodie Martin’s breakout season continued in Brisbane. Martin kicked an equal-career high three goals from 20 possessions to attract three votes in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award.
Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch received votes for the fourth time in five weeks. Crouch, who received one vote, reached the 30-disposal mark for the third time in the last month. He finished with 30 possessions, eight tackles, six inside 50ms, five clearances and two goal assists.
Forward Eddie Betts also collected one vote for his influential performance. Betts slotted three goals and assisted in four others – ranked No.1 in the League for the round goal assists. Betts collected 17 possessions and laid four tackles to help put the Lions defence under pressure.
Lions ball magnet Tom Rockliff, who finished with 40 disposals, was the only Brisbane player to feature in the votes, receiving two.
Fremantle star Nathan Fyfe collected two votes in his team’s narrow loss to Geelong and remains on top of the overall Leaderboard with 95 votes. Swan Josh Kennedy and Power forward Robbie Gray both received votes in Sydney’s win over Port Adelaide to remain in equal-second place on 83 votes.
Patrick Dangerfield is Adelaide’s best-placed player with 47 votes.
Brisbane vs Adelaide
9 Taylor Walker (Adel)
7 Sam Jacobs (Adel)
7 Rory Sloane (Adel)
3 Brodie Martin (Adel)
2 Tom Rockliff (Bris)
1 Eddie Betts (Adel)
1 Brad Crouch (Adel)
Round 20 Leaderboard
95 Nathan Fyfe Fremantle)
83 Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
83 Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
72 Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
72 Matthew Priddis (West Coast)
65 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
64 Joel Selwood (Geelong)
60 Lance Franklin (Sydney)
58 Dyson Heppell (Essendon)
57 Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
Crows Leaderboard
47 Patrick Dangerfield
37 Brodie Smith
36 Scott Thompson
35 Rory Sloane
31 Sam Jacobs
23 Eddie Betts
18 Taylor Walker
13 Josh Jenkins
13 Daniel Talia
9 Tom Lynch
7 Matthew Jaensch
6 Brodie Martin
5 Brad Crouch
5 James Podsiadly
4 David Mackay
3 Kyle Hartigan
2 Richard Douglas
2 Rory Laird
1 Matt Crouch
1 Ricky Henderson
1 Andy Otten
Past Crows AFLCA voting
Round 19
Round 18
Round 17
Round 16
Round 15
Round 14
Round 13
Round 12
Round 11
Round 10
Round Nine
Round Seven
Round Six
Round Five
Round Four
Round Three
Round Two
Round One
