BRISBANE pair Hugh McCluggage and Will Ashcroft are well in the race for this year's Gary Ayres Award as Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield picked up a perfect 10 votes after his dominant performance on Friday night.
The Lions midfielders were awarded nine and five votes, respectively, after starring in the preliminary final win over Collingwood.
>> SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE VOTES AND THE LEADERBOARD
They now have 13 votes overall for the finals series, five behind current lead Jai Newcombe, who failed to earn a vote in Hawthorn's loss to the Cats.
With the Toyota AFL Grand Final worth 1.5 times loading, the race for the Gary Ayres Award remains wide open.
Brisbane defender Harris Andrews is on 12 votes, while Cats ruck Mark Blicavs is on 11 after both players nabbed six votes in their respective games.
Meanwhile, Dangerfield soared into contention after his 31 disposals and three goals.
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.
Geelong v Hawthorn
10 Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
6 Mark Blicavs (GEEL)
6 Bailey Smith (GEEL)
4 Gryan Miers (GEEL)
2 Jeremy Cameron (GEEL)
1 Dylan Moore (HAW)
1 Tyson Stengle (GEEL)
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20:52
Mini-Match: Geelong v Hawthorn
Extended highlights of the Cats and Hawks clash in the first preliminary final of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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18:06
Post-match, Scott PF: 'The Stewart (injury) is a bit hard to take right now'
Watch Geelong’s press conference after their Preliminary Final match against Hawthorn
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11:53
Post-match, Mitchell PF: 'We're making progress, our best stands up'
Watch Hawthorn’s press conference after Preliminary Final match against Geelong
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04:42
All the goals: Hawks hit 13 in tough prelim defeat
Watch every goal from Hawthorn’s gallant loss to Geelong in the 2025 preliminary final with your free AFL iD
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05:08
All the goals: Cats pile on 17 majors in prelim triumph
Watch every goal from Geelong’s imperious win over Hawthorn in the 2025 preliminary final with your free AFL iD
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02:53
Three goals, 31 disposals: Watch Danger’s prelim ‘for the ages’
Patrick Dangerfield winds back the clock with a phenomenal captain’s masterclass to guide his side into another Grand Final
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08:30
Highlights: Geelong v Hawthorn
The Cats and Hawks clash in the first preliminary final of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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01:06
Fired-up Smith has last laugh with brilliant sealer
After some fiery moments in the third quarter, Geelong star Bailey Smith sealed a famous win with a brilliant late goal
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00:42
Mannagh mania: Goal defies logic as Geelong starts believing
Shaun Mannagh gets the Cats fans and his teammates pumped up with a ridiculous finish as his side inches one step closer to a Grand Final
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00:29
'Here come the Cats': Stars spark stunning second-half charge
Geelong comes alive after the break as Patrick Dangerfield and Max Holmes each fire a brilliant snap
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00:34
Cat's crazy no-look 'Hollywood' handball sets up magic major
Ollie Dempsey delivers a dazzling assist to Tyson Stengle, who finishes off his work with a classy snap
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00:55
The Wizard pulls off 'finals miracle' with insane goal at the ‘G
Nick Watson dips into his bag of tricks for a miraculous major as the Hawks continue to surprise the Cats
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00:51
Hawks forward 'emerging before our eyes' in huge start
After being subbed out of the game last week, Mitch Lewis comes up big for Hawthorn with a pair of priceless goals in the second quarter
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01:15
Cats star concussed in Hawk's heavy tackle
Geelong is rocked by a massive injury blow with star defender Tom Stewart woozy after a brutal tackle from Mabior Chol
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00:56
'Antagoniser' Ginnivan gives it to Mullin after horror kick gifts goal
Jack Ginnivan turns Oisin Mullin’s mistake into a classy finish and fun celebration before letting him know all about it
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00:45
Hawk fires almighty first shot and sets crowd and team roaring
Mitch Lewis draws first blood for Hawthorn with a thumping kick from the 50m arc
Collingwood v Brisbane
9 Hugh McCluggage (BL)
6 Harris Andrews (BL)
5 Will Ashcroft (BL)
4 Zac Bailey (BL)
3 Jamie Elliott (COLL)
2 Ty Gallop (BL)
1 Darcy Gardiner (BL)
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20:49
Mini-Match: Collingwood v Brisbane
Extended highlights of the Magpies and Lions clash in the second preliminary final of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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10:45
Post-match, Fagan PF: '[Lachie Neale's return] is looking more positive than negative at the moment'
Watch Brisbane’s press conference after the Preliminary Final match against Collingwood
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10:59
Post-match, McRae PF: 'I'm not going to stand still trying to get better'
Watch Collingwood’s press conference after the Preliminary Final match against Brisbane
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08:27
Highlights: Collingwood v Brisbane
The Magpies and Lions clash in the second preliminary final of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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01:54
Will wonderful: Ashcroft making a name for himself in September
Will Ashcroft comes up big in the finals once again with two sensational goals to go alongside 20 disposals as the Lions complete a famous victory
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05:00
All the goals: Magpies' 10 falls short in prelim defeat
Watch every goal from Collingwood's tough loss to Brisbane in the 2025 preliminary final with your free AFL iD
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06:06
All the goals: Lions land 15 majors in famous prelim win
Watch every goal from Brisbane's stunning win over Collingwood in the 2025 preliminary final with your free AFL iD
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00:51
Pies fans filthy as non-free kick call halts momentum
Collingwood players and fans fume after a non-free kick decision for a potential arm chop on Jamie Elliott
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00:50
Fagan loses it after great Dayne gets the last laugh
Chris Fagan lets out an almighty celebration after Dayne Zorko caps off a stunning prelim win with a delightful sealer
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00:52
Where there’s a Will, there’s a 'miracle': Gun Lion's epic pair
Will Ashcroft continues to rise in the footy world with two stunning goals in the third quarter to light up the ‘G
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00:57
Jamie elevate: Pie’s spectacular speccy in the square
High-flyer Jamie Elliott reels in a massive mark right in front of goal to captivate the MCG
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00:46
Rocket from the pocket: Houston’s stunner sends fans into frenzy
Dan Houston launches an absolute ripper from a tough angle as the Magpies continue to electrify in the second term
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01:32
Ump ‘sucked in by Daicos’? Disastrous 100m penalty costs Lions
Brisbane concedes two costly 50m penalties to gift Tim Membrey an easy goal
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00:54
Agony for Berry as shoulder pops out in Daicos clash
Jarrod Berry leaves the field in a huge spot of bother after dislocating his shoulder while lunging to tackle Nick Daicos
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01:00
Pies rocked early as Pendles subbed in opening minutes
Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury is forced out of the preliminary final within the first few minutes of the game with a tight calf
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00:42
Lions Gallop away to early lead as Ty catches the eye
Ty Gallop makes it four in a row for Brisbane in an outstanding start for the travelling side
LEADERBOARD
18 Jai Newcombe (HAW)
13 Will Ashcroft (BL)
13 Hugh McCluggage (BL)
12 Harris Andrews (BL)
11 Mark Blicavs (GEEL)
10 Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
10 Darcy Moore (COLL)
10 Caleb Serong (FRE)
9 Oliver Dempsey (GEEL)
8 Finn Callaghan (GWS)
8 Josh Dunkley (BL)
8 Jack Gunston (HAW)
7 Jordan De Goey (COLL)
7 Blake Hardwick (HAW)
7 Tom Stewart (GEEL)
6 Matt Rowell (GCFC)
6 Bailey Smith (GEEL)
5 Nick Daicos (COLL)
5 Tom Green (GWS)
4 Tom Atkins (GEEL)
4 Zac Bailey (BL)
4 Jarrod Berry (BL)
4 Sam Collins (GCFC)
4 Jamie Elliott (COLL)
4 Max Holmes (GEEL)
4 Gryan Miers (GEEL)
4 Wil Powell (GCFC)
4 Isaac Quaynor (COLL)
4 Josh Ward (HAW)
3 Noah Anderson (GCFC)
3 Lloyd Meek (HAW)
3 Steele Sidebottom (COLL)
3 Josh Worrell (ADEL)
2 Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)
2 Jeremy Cameron (GEEL)
2 Ty Gallop (BL)
2 Jarman Impey (HAW)
1 Josh Battle (HAW)
1 Darcy Gardiner (BL)
1 Dylan Moore (HAW)
1 Cameron Rayner (BL)
1 Tyson Stengle (GEEL)
1 Bodhi Uwland (GCFC)
1 Nick Watson (HAW)
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)
2023 Sam Walsh (Carlton)
2024 Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
