Josh Kelly celebrates a goal during Greater Western Sydney's elimination final against St Kilda on September 9, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

GREATER Western Sydney gun Josh Kelly and Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage have earned perfect 10s for their finals performances as the race begins to be crowned 'Mr September' for 2023. 

Kelly starred to help the Giants past St Kilda in their elimination final at the MCG on Saturday.

>> SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE VOTES AND THE LEADERBOARD

He had 27 disposals, seven clearances and kicked two goals in the Giants' 24-point victory, earning 10 votes from the coaches in the Gary Ayres Award.

McCluggage impressed as the Lions beat Port Adelaide in their qualifying final at the Gabba, earning the other 10-vote game.

The midfielder had 26 touches, nine clearances and kicked a major to guide the Lions into a home preliminary final.

Blake Acres took home nine votes for his performance in Carlton's win over Sydney, while Max Gawn earned eight in Melbourne's defeat to Collingwood.

17:12

AAA: Left-field suggestion for Dees, Port's backline 'a mess'

Damian Barrett and Matthew Lloyd discuss a big weekend of storylines in Access All Areas

The Gary Ayres Award is presented in recognition of the player who has been adjudged the best through the finals series, as voted by the coaches.

Grand Final votes will receive a 1.5 times loading.

Collingwood v Melbourne

8 Max Gawn (MELB)
6 Isaac Quaynor (COLL)
6 Jack Crisp (COLL)
4 Bobby Hill (COLL)
3 Christian Petracca (MELB)
2 Steele Sidebottom (COLL)
1 Clayton Oliver (MELB)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 01:05

    Emotions spill over in fiery start to battle

    Some early fireworks between both sides sets the tone for a ferocious contest ahead

    AFL
  • 00:30

    Even Petracca in two minds can conjure magic

    Christian Petracca finishes in sublime style after appearing to get himself into trouble by playing on

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Pickett in hot water after ferocious bump on Cripps

    Kysaiah Pickett may find himself under MRO scrutiny after collecting Patrick Cripps high in this action

    AFL
  • 00:48

    Carlton starts cooking as Walsh and Curnow electrify

    Sam Walsh and Charlie Curnow get their faithful buzzing with some team-lifting goals

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Kysaiah catches fire and erupts like never before

    Melbourne looks to have turned a corner as a pumped-up Kysaiah Pickett finally lights up in the third term

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Walsh wizardry sets up grandstand finish

    Sam Walsh adds to his tireless performance with a stunning major to tie the scores in the final term

    AFL
  • 01:09

    Woozy Weitering spotted stumbling in defence

    Jacob Weitering appears worse for wear after copping an accidental knock in this final-quarter incident

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Tense moments as Dee slings star Blue into fence

    Tom Sparrow may find himself in hot water after this action causes Sam Walsh to hit his head on the fence

    AFL
  • 03:55

    Last two mins: Blues prevail over Dees in classic

    The thrilling final moments between Melbourne and Carlton in the semi finals

    AFL
  • 08:48

    Highlights: Melbourne v Carlton

    The Demons and Blues clash in the first semi final

    AFL
  • 01:27

    Walsh never stops running in inspiring outing

    Sam Walsh helps his side over the line with a match-winning display that included a host of disposals, tackles and goals

    AFL
  • 09:56

    Full post-match, SF: Blues

    Watch Carlton's press conference after their semi-final against Melbourne

    AFL
  • 07:30

    Full post-match, SF: Demons

    Watch Melbourne's press conference after their semi-final against Carlton

    AFL
  • 14:44

    Mini-Match: Melbourne v Carlton

    Extended highlights of the Demons and Blues clash in the first semi final

    AFL

Carlton v Sydney

9 Blake Acres (CARL)
8 Sam Walsh (CARL)
5 Tom McCartin (SYD)
4 Matthew Cottrell (CARL)
2 Errol Gulden (SYD)
1 Adam Cerra (CARL)
1 Adam Saad (CARL)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 07:30

    Full post-match, SF: Demons

    Watch Melbourne's press conference after their semi-final against Carlton

    AFL
  • 00:57

    Greene's early burst fires up Giants

    Toby Greene shows off his class as he kicks his side's first two majors of the night

    AFL
  • 01:05

    Super Rioli double lights up Adelaide Oval

    Willie Rioli makes an early impact with this pair of goals giving his side some early momentum

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Kelly and Coniglio raise the heat in hot minute

    Goals to gun midfielders Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio in quick succession sees the Giants extend their advantage

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Hogan piles on more pain in stunning run for GWS

    Jesse Hogan makes it two goals in short time to continue his side's onslaught in the second term

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Rioli raises noise level after half-time with small spark

    Willie Rioli does his best to create some much-needed momentum for the Power with this clever goal to kickstart the third term

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Riccardi's lethal long kick may just do the trick

    Jake Riccardi nails this superb set shot to bring the Giants one step closer to a massive victory

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Skipper delivers the dagger to book date with Pies

    Toby Greene produces the sealing goal to all but assure his side a preliminary final berth against Collingwood

    AFL
  • 08:34

    Highlights: Port Adelaide v GWS

    The Power and Giants clash in the second semi final

    AFL
  • 02:17

    Hogan's heroics one of many Giant performances

    Jesse Hogan owns his role in his side's stunning upset victory, with a powerful four-goal display to go alongside some big marks

    AFL
  • 10:08

    Full post-match, SF: Giants

    Watch GWS's press conference after their semi final against Port Adelaide

    AFL
  • 10:27

    Full post-match, SF: Power

    Watch Port Adelaide's press conference after their semi final against GWS

    AFL
  • 15:02

    Mini-Match: Port Adelaide v GWS

    Extended highlights of the Power and Giants clash in the second semi final

    AFL

St Kilda v Greater Western Sydney

10 Josh Kelly (GWS)
7 Tom Green (GWS)
4 Connor Idun (GWS)
3 Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
3 Lachie Ash (GWS)
2 Rowan Marshall (STK)
1 Brent Daniels (GWS)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:36

    Big Saints catch fire from first bounce

    Cooper Sharman sticks a brilliant contested grab and nails the opener after Rowan Marshall's terrific double play

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Toby gets off the chain and delivers Giant response

    Toby Greene finds space and finishes with class for GWS' first major

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Electrifying Riccardi bender surges GWS to early buffer

    Jake Riccardi drills a cracking banana in traffic to continue Greater Western Sydney's slick start

    AFL
  • 00:56

    King gets the 'G rocking with pair of massive moments

    Max King nails back-to-back goals in the second term to bring St Kilda back into the elimination final

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Kelly stuns all with insane boundary brilliance

    Josh Kelly threads the eye of the needle from distance in a trademark clutch moment

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Bedford's smooth-moving curler a Giant reason to smile

    Toby Bedford nails a cool running snap to extend Greater Western Sydney's big third-term margin

    AFL
  • 00:30

    Saints' big-time siren special brings huge belief

    Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera slots a clutch goal in traffic on the three-quarter-time siren to keep St Kilda in the contest

    AFL
  • 08:51

    Highlights: St Kilda v GWS

    The Saints and Giants clash in the second elimination final

    AFL
  • 09:15

    Full post-match, EF: Giants

    Watch GWS's press conference after their Elimination Final against St Kilda

    AFL
  • 08:25

    Full post-match, EF: Saints

    Watch St Kilda's press conference after their Elimination Final against GWS

    AFL
  • 02:18

    Kelly stays cool in the finals fire to keep Giant wave rolling

    Josh Kelly puts on a clutch display of class in the second elimination final to help GWS advance to next week

    AFL
  • 14:57

    Mini-Match: St Kilda v GWS

    Extended highlights of the Saints and Giants clash in the second elimination final

    AFL

Brisbane v Port Adelaide

10 Hugh McCluggage (BL)
7 Joe Daniher (BL)
4 Cameron Rayner (BL)
3 Josh Dunkley (BL)
3 Jaspa Fletcher (BL)
2 Darcy Wilmot (BL)
1 Connor Rozee (PORT)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:39

    Blistering Bailey leaves Power for dust

    Zac Bailey shows off his explosiveness with this sensational goal to open his side's account

    AFL
  • 00:30

    Butters and Zorko collide in fiery exchange

    Dayne Zorko is left on the ground sore after Zak Butters remonstrates following a heated marking contest

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Lethal Lord breaks through for Power

    Ollie Lord delivers this superb finish late in the opening term to give his side their first major of the night

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Booming Rayner lets rip from long range

    Cam Rayner gives his side an instant reply with this brutal kick from beyond the arc

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Epic Rozee bomb sparks Power to life

    Connor Rozee only needs one step to nail this ripping goal to give his side the lead

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Country Charlie has Gabba rocking

    Charlie Cameron snags two goals in quick succession which gets the Gabba faithful up on their feet

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Dynamic double edges Lions closer to prelim

    Back-to-back goals from Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher gives their side a near match-winning lead heading into the final term

    AFL
  • 01:55

    The Joe show lives up to hype with five

    Joe Daniher plays a starring role in the Lions' road to the prelim with a host of strong marks to go alongside five goals

    AFL
  • 08:45

    Highlights: Brisbane v Port Adelaide

    The Lions and Power clash in the second qualifying final

    AFL
  • 08:08

    Full post-match, QF: Lions

    Watch Brisbane's press conference after their Qualifying Final match against Port Adelaide

    AFL
  • 06:43

    Full post-match, QF: Power

    Watch Port Adelaide's press conference after their Qualifying Final against Brisbane

    AFL
  • 14:54

    Mini-Match: Brisbane v Port Adelaide

    Extended highlights of the Lions and Power clash in the second qualifying final

    AFL

Leaderboard

10 Josh Kelly (GWS)
10 Hugh McCluggage (BL)
9 Blake Acres (CARL)
8 Max Gawn (MELB)
8 Sam Walsh (CARL)
7 Joe Daniher (BL)
7 Tom Green (GWS)
6 Jack Crisp (COLL)
6 Isaac Quaynor (COLL)
5 Tom McCartin (SYD)
4 Matthew Cottrell (CARL)
4 Bobby Hill (COLL)
4 Connor Idun (GWS)
4 Cameron Rayner (BL)
3 Lachie Ash (GWS)
3 Josh Dunkley (BL)
3 Jaspa Fletcher (BL)
3 Christian Petracca (MELB)
3 Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
2 Errol Gulden (SYD)
2 Rowan Marshall (STK)
2 Steele Sidebottom (COLL)
2 Darcy Wilmot (BL)

Previous winners

2016 Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
2017 Dustin Martin (Richmond)
2018 Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
2019 Dustin Martin (Richmond)
2020 Dustin Martin (Richmond)
2021 Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
2022 Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)