BEST-AFIELD performances by three of the AFL's premier midfielders have intensified competition in the AFL Coaches' Association champion player award.

Perfect 10s to Collingwood vice-captain Scott Pendlebury, Geelong skipper Joel Selwood and Western Bulldogs star Ryan Griffen have this terrific trio occupying third, fourth and fifth respectively.

They have moved within sight of Sydney Swans co-captain Kieren Jack and Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett, both of whom failed to score a vote in round 20.

In fact, just one Swan managed to poll in their loss to the Magpies, and that was spearhead Kurt Tippett, who received one vote for his six-goal effort.

The Pies were served superbly by Pendlebury and fellow midfielders Luke Ball, Dayne Beams and Dane Swan, who has jumped to seventh in the award.

Griffen, who has polled in 12 of his past 13 games, led a sustained Bulldog effort that denied Carlton a single vote from the coaches – a disappointing result for the Blues in a game that had such enormous ramifications.

Griffen's teammates Jarrad Grant and Adam Cooney continued their career revivals with seven votes apiece.

Adelaide pair Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane are now eighth and 10th respectively in the coaches' award after strong performances in the Crows' win over North Melbourne.

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin is also making a late charge with 28 votes in his past four games to be just outside the top 10. Meanwhile, Tiger teammate Daniel Jackson polled for the fifth time in his past eight games.

6 Leigh Montagna (St K)

6 Jarryd Roughead (Haw)

5 Shaun Burgoyne (Haw)

4 David Hale (Haw)

3 Josh Gibson (Haw)

3 Sam Mitchell (Haw)

2 Jack Steven (St K)

1 Shane Savage (Haw)

9 Trent Cotchin (Rich)

9 Daniel Jackson (Rich)

3 Brandon Ellis (Rich)

3 Pearce Hanley (Bris)

3 Dustin Martin (Rich)

2 Joel Patfull (Bris)

1 Reece Conca (Rich)

10 Joel Selwood (Geel)

6 Angus Monfries (Port)

5 Steven Motlop (Geel)

4 Matthew Lobbe (Port)

2 Cameron Guthrie (Geel)

2 Steve Johnson (Geel)

1 Corey Enright (Geel)

10 Ryan Griffen (WB)

7 Adam Cooney (WB)

7 Jarrad Grant (WB)

2 Luke Dahlhaus (WB)

2 Robert Murphy (WB)

1 Will Minson (WB)

1 Liam Picken (WB)

10 Scott Pendlebury (Coll)

6 Luke Ball (Coll)

5 Dane Swan (Coll)

3 Dayne Beams (Coll)

3 Brent Macaffer (Coll)

3 Kurt Tippett (Syd)

10 David Swallow (GC)

7 Harley Bennell (GC)

7 Nathan Jones (Melb)

3 Aaron Hall (GC)

3 Jack Watts (Melb)

7 Jack Darling (WCE)

7 Mark LeCras (WCE)

7 Matt Priddis (WCE)

4 Chris Masten (WCE)

3 Brendon Goddard (Ess)

1 Mitch Brown (WCE)

1 Bradd Dalziell (WCE)

10 Rory Sloane (Adel)

8 Daniel Wells (North)

6 Richard Douglas (Adel)

4 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)

1 Leigh Adams (North)

1 Daniel Talia (Adel)

9 Lachie Neale (Frem)

8 Zac Clarke (Frem)

7 Nick Suban (Frem)

2 Michael Barlow (Frem)

2 Michael Johnson (Frem)

1 Jeremy Cameron (GWS)

1 Callan Ward (GWS)

90 Kieren Jack (Syd)

85 Gary Ablett (GC)

79 Scott Pendlebury (Coll)

78 Joel Selwood (Geel)

76 Ryan Griffen (WB)

70 Daniel Hannebery (Syd)

65 Dane Swan (Coll)

64 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)

63 Nathan Fyfe (Frem)

60 Rory Sloane (Adel)