GOLD Coast midfield bull Matt Rowell and Carlton key forward Harry McKay have opened their 2024 seasons with a perfect 10 votes in the AFL Coaches Association's champion player award.
Rowell put on a midfield clinic, winning an impressive 20 clearances from his 33 disposals in the Suns' Opening Round win over Richmond.
Only Paul Salmon, who had 22 when playing for Hawthorn against North Melbourne in 1998, has had more in a game.
>> SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE VOTES
Often maligned Blues forward McKay completed a fairytale comeback for his side against Brisbane, kicking the match-winning goal with just 90 seconds remaining on the clock on Friday night at the Gabba.
With Carlton trailing by five points, McKay took a powerful mark and went back to calmly slot the matchwinner from 45m for his third goal of the night.
Meanwhile, Sydney star Isaac Heeney and recruit Brodie Grundy shared the top votes to collect nine each in the Swans' season-opening win over Melbourne.
Heeney lined up at the first centre bounce and was one of the most impactful players around the stoppages, finishing with 26 disposals (18 contested), 13 clearances and a goal in a superb display.
Grundy was huge against his old side and six-time All-Australian Max Gawn, collecting more disposals (22-15), clearances (9-2) and marks (4-1) than his old teammate, although Gawn led the hitouts 39-31.
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Greater Western Sydney forwards Callum Brown and Jesse Hogan nabbed seven votes each from the coaches in the Giants' impressive win over reigning premier Collingwood.
Brown sparked the Giants early with three goals in the first term and finished with a five-goal haul in a breakout performance, while Hogan booted four majors.
Sydney v Melbourne
9 - Isaac Heeney (SYD)
9 - Brodie Grundy (SYD)
5 - Nick Blakey (SYD)
5 - Jack Viney (MELB)
2 - Chad Warner (SYD)
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01:19
Umpires and players unite in touching tribute
Both clubs and umpires come together to pay respects to AFL goal umpire Jesse Baird and partner Luke Davies
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00:43
Florent’s freakish running banana opens season in style
Oliver Florent lands a remarkable first goal to kick off the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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00:34
Viney refuses to go down in super show of strength
Jack Viney is pumped up after managing to sneak through this powerful goal
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00:47
Papley picks the drop of the footy to perfection
Tom Papley scores an electric goal after guiding through a beautiful effort at full pace
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00:43
From zero to hero: McLean makes amends for horror miss
Hayden McLean squanders a gilt-edged opportunity right in front of goal before sparing his blushes moments later with a major
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00:52
Fritsch catches fire with three in the term
Bayley Fritsch starts to heat up after half-time with a trio of goals in quick time
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00:43
Bowey blow after sickening shoulder collision
Melbourne defender Jake Bowey leaves the ground hurt after a brutal clash with Justin McInerney
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00:36
Warner lights up SCG after hitting one sweet for six
Chad Warner lifts his side with a stunning effort from outside 50
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00:42
Van Rooyen’s accidental goal is simply extraordinary
Jacob van Rooyen earns one wild major after a marking attempt fortuitously finds his lower knee before drifting through
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06:20
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01:50
Grundy gets the points against former allies
Brodie Grundy shines in his first outing for Sydney, winning the battle against ex-teammate Max Gawn in an enthralling contest
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06:02
Full post-match, OR: Demons
Watch Melbourne’s press conference after Opening Round’s match against Sydney
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08:48
Full post-match, OR: Swans
Watch Sydney’s press conference after Opening Round’s match against Melbourne
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14:18
Mini-Match: Sydney v Melbourne
Extended highlights of the Swans and Demons clash in Opening Round
Brisbane v Carlton
10 - Harry McKay (CARL)
6 - Charlie Curnow (CARL)
4 - George Hewett (CARL)
3 - Lachie Fogarty (CARL)
3 - Darcy Wilmot (BL)
3 - Josh Dunkley (BL)
1 - Blake Acres (CARL)
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00:45
McCluggage makes it look easy with boundary brilliance
Hugh McCluggage slots the set shot from the tightest of angles to open the scoring
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00:50
Zorko’s quick double spells trouble for Blues
A clever soccer goal followed by a perfect set shot from Dayne Zorko has the Lions looking ominous
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00:54
Half-time disaster with gun Lion helped off the field
Brisbane suffers a huge blow with rebounding defender Keidean Coleman going down with a suspected knee injury
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00:38
Tough luck for brave Blue with injured Docherty subbed
Sam Docherty is ruled out of the match following this incident in the first quarter
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00:52
Burst of Curnow brilliance brings Carlton right back
Three goals in a matter of minutes from Charlie Curnow sees Carlton close in on Brisbane's lead
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00:42
Air Daniher pulls down screamer in MOTY contender
Joe Daniher gets lift-off and reels in a huge grab before kicking a much-needed goal for Brisbane
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00:51
Neale and Hewett exchange blows in fiery clash
Tensions spiral as Lachie Neale and George Hewett collide in this heated third-quarter incident
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00:54
McKay rises to moment with match-winning goal
Harry McKay has ice in his veins as he nails a super clutch set shot to put his side in front
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03:57
Last two mins: Blues come from clouds to deny Lions
The thrilling final moments between the Lions and the Blues in Opening Round
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06:20
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07:00
Full post-match, OR: Lions
Watch Brisbane’s press conference after opening round against Carlton
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06:46
Full post-match, OR: Blues
Watch Carlton’s press conference after opening round against Brisbane
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15:06
Mini-Match: Brisbane v Carlton
Extended highlights of the Lions and Blues clash in Opening Round
Gold Coast v Richmond
10 - Matt Rowell (GCFC)
8 - Wil Powell (GCFC)
3 - Touk Miller (GCFC)
3 - Jarrod Witts (GCFC)
2 - Ben King (GCFC)
2 - Sam Flanders (GCFC)|
1 - Noah Anderson (GCFC)
1 - Sam Collins (GCFC)
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00:48
Electric Bolton tears away and nails dazzling opener
Shai Bolton finds himself in acres of space and makes the Suns pay with the first goal of the game
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00:24
Balta penalised for late Sexton hit
Noah Balta gives away a downfield free kick for this late contact on Alex Sexton
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00:47
King cooking early for hot Suns
Ben King heats up in the first quarter with a pair of crafty goals in quick time
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00:34
Fiorini makes Tigers pay from long range
Brayden Fiorini intercepts this wayward Tim Taranto kick and nails it from beyond the arc
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00:38
Campbell’s maiden AFL goal finally ends Suns’ run
Seth Campbell snaps through his first goal at AFL level to give his side a much-needed major late in the second term
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00:50
Bolton’s pair sparks Tigers’ fightback
Shai Bolton nails these two goals during the third term to continue his side’s comeback
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02:34
Rowell racks up 20 clearances in frightening outing
Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell sends a warning to the competition after notching a staggering 20 clearances against the Tigers
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06:15
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04:55
Full post-match, OR: Tigers
Watch Richmond’s press conference after Opening Round’s match against Gold Coast
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05:44
Full post-match, OR: Suns
Watch Gold Coast’s press conference after Opening Round’s match against Richmond
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15:00
Mini-Match: Gold Coast v Richmond
Extended highlights of the Suns and Tigers clash in Opening Round
Greater Western Sydney v Collingwood
7 - Jesse Hogan (GWS)
7 - Callum Brown (GWS)
5 - Tom Green (GWS)
4 - Brent Daniels (GWS)
4 - Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
2 - Nick Daicos (COLL)
1 - Josh Kelly (GWS)
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00:39
Daicos’ deft touch leads to monster Mihocek opener
Nick Daicos shows his usual finesse with the footy before Brody Mihocek launches a mammoth snap to earn the first goal
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00:59
Brown from downtown can’t stop scoring
Callum Brown lands a huge goal from outside 50 before heating up with two more in the first term
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00:41
Beau steals the show with scintillating tackle and goal
Collingwood workhorse Beau McCreery brings down Stephen Coniglio with a powerful tackle before finishing in style
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00:56
Giant subbed off after brutal shoulder landing
GWS veteran Callan Ward suffers an AC joint injury after this tough tackle
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00:33
New season, same old Nick Daicos
Collingwood star Nick Daicos lifts his side as he so often does with this superb finish in tight space
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00:36
A touch of typical genius from Toby lights up stadium
GWS captain Toby Greene finally gets going after half-time with an electric goal on the burst
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00:36
Giants’ birthday boy adds more icing on cake
Brent Daniels celebrates his 25th birthday in style with a superb snap in the final term
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06:16
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02:07
Hogan controls the air and finds four in the process
Jesse Hogan provides a constant outlet around the ground and boots four goals in his side’s statement win
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07:15
Full post-match, OR: Magpies
Watch Collingwood’s press conference after Opening Round’s match against GWS
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08:40
Full post-match, OR: Giants
Watch GWS’s press conference after Opening Round’s match against Collingwood
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14:17
Mini-Match: GWS v Collingwood
Extended highlights of the Giants and Magpies clash in Opening Round
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00:20
Cox interrupts Giants drill before the bounce
Watch Mason Cox interrupt a GWS centre bounce drill just moments before the first bounce on Saturday night
LEADERBOARD
10 - Harry McKay CARL
10 - Matt Rowell GCFC
9 - Brodie Grundy SYD
9 - Isaac Heeney SYD
8 - Wil Powell GCFC
7 - Callum Brown GWS
7 - Jesse Hogan GWS
6 - Charlie Curnow CARL
5 - Nick Blakey SYD
5 - Tom Green GWS
5 - Jack Viney MELB
4 - Brent Daniels GWS
4 - George Hewett CARL
4 - Lachie Whitfield GWS
3 - Josh Dunkley BL
3 - Lachie Fogarty CARL
3 - Touk Miller GCFC
3 - Darcy Wilmot BL
3 - Jarrod Witts GCFC
2 - Nick Daicos COLL
2 - Sam Flanders GCFC
2 - Ben King GCFC
2 - Chad Warner SYD
