THERE were five perfect 10-vote games from five to start 2026, with some big names getting full votes from the coaches in Opening Round.
Sydney's Justin McInerney, Gold Coast recruit Christian Petracca, Greater Western Sydney veteran Jake Stringer, Western Bulldogs midfielder Ed Richards and Collingwood star Nick Daicos all got a perfect 10 votes to share the early lead in the race to be named the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year for 2026.
>> SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE VOTES
McInerney was voted best on ground in Sydney's win over Carlton, with teammate Errol Gulden getting eight votes.
The Suns swept the votes in their huge win over Geelong, with Petracca (10) and Bailey Humphrey (eight) leading the way, while another former Demon - Clayton Oliver - got seven votes on his Giants debut alongside 10 for Stringer.
Richards was one of eight players to get at least one vote from the Dogs' thrilling win over Brisbane, while Daicos was rewarded for his 41-disposal game against St Kilda with a perfect score from the coaches.
Every week, the two senior coaches for each game give votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, meaning 10 votes is the maximum a player can get in each round.
The player with the most votes at the end of the home and away season will win the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award.
Sydney v Carlton
10 Justin McInerney (SYD)
8 Errol Gulden (SYD)
5 Isaac Heeney (SYD)
3 Tom McCartin (SYD)
3 Sam Walsh (CARL)
1 Chad Warner (SYD)
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20:08
Mini-Match: Sydney v Carlton
Extended highlights of the Swans and Blues clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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10:54
Full post-match, OR: Swans
Watch Sydney’s press conference after the Opening Round match against Carlton
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07:04
Full post-match, OR: Blues
Watch Carlton’s press conference after the Opening Round match against Sydney
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03:25
Quick Recap: Sydney v Carlton
Short highlights of the Swans and Blues clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:06
Highlights: Sydney v Carlton
The Swans and Blues clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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03:19
The Curnow reunion lives up to the hype
Charlie Curnow delivers a series of big moments against his former club in a blockbuster night at the SCG
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03:59
All 12 Swans goals from astonishing third quarter
Sydney unleashes a breathtaking scoring blitz with 12 goals in the third term to take complete control of the contest after half-time
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00:59
Massive fireworks erupt after Curnow’s first Swans goal
Tempers explode as players from both sides rush in after Charlie Curnow lands his first goal for Sydney
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00:29
Back of the Pittonet: Big Blue's wild soccer silences SCG
Marc Pittonet comes out best in the ruck contest before sneaking through a sizzling finish off the deck
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00:33
Star Swan cops brutal knee from former teammate
Isaac Heeney goes to ground after copping a stray knee from ex-Swan Ollie Florent
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00:45
Rosas are red: Swan ignites flame in new colours
Malcolm Rosas jnr crafts a cracking effort on his left foot to spark his new club to life
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00:39
Former Swan hits ex-side with cheeky ‘calm down’
Will Hayward strikes early against his former club before delivering a cool celebration at the SCG
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00:42
Blue's brilliant bender opens 2026 season in style
Brodie Kemp is pumped up after curling through a superb effort to register the first major of the new campaign
Gold Coast v Geelong
10 Christian Petracca (GCFC)
8 Bailey Humphrey (GCFC)
4 John Noble (GCFC)
4 Touk Miller (GCFC)
3 Sam Collins (GCFC)
1 Wil Powell (GCFC)
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20:03
Mini-Match: Gold Coast v Geelong
Extended highlights of the Suns and Cats clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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10:40
Full post-match, OR: Suns
Watch Gold Coast’s press conference after its Opening Round match against Geelong
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06:47
Full post-match, OR: Cats
Watch Geelong’s press conference after its Opening Round match against Gold Coast
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03:29
Quick Recap: Gold Coast v Geelong
Short highlights of the Suns and Cats clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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01:58
‘Looks like the old Petracca again’: Star Sun’s clinic
Christian Petracca dominates his first outing for Gold Coast with 34 disposals and three goals in a best-on-ground display
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08:03
Highlights: Gold Coast v Geelong
The Suns and Cats clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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01:00
Crafty Cat produces late flash of class
Ollie Dempsey delivers a flurry of goals in the final quarter to restore some pride for Geelong
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00:28
Mark of the Year gone begging? Mac’s monster effort
Mac Andrew gets enormous lift and nearly reels in a spectacular Mark of the Year contender in Opening Round
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00:37
Trac star: Suns recruit cooks up sizzling third
Christian Petracca adds to his outstanding Gold Coast debut with a third goal of the night
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00:37
It only Touk a step: Miller makes it rain
Touk Miller pounces on the loose ball before finishing truly to pile more misery on the Cats
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00:37
New Petracca era begins with gold-class major
Christian Petracca delivers his first goal for the Suns to spark a huge roar
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01:18
Three kicks, three goals: Humphrey’s blistering start
Bailey Humphrey strikes three times in the first term to get the Suns off to a cracker
Greater Western Sydney v Hawthorn
10 Jake Stringer (GWS)
7 Clayton Oliver (GWS)
6 Finn Callaghan (GWS)
5 Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
2 Joseph Fonti (GWS)
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20:04
Mini-Match: GWS v Hawthorn
Extended highlights of the Giants and Hawks clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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07:31
Full post-match, OR: Hawks
Watch Hawthorn’s press conference after opening round match against GWS
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09:42
Full post-match, OR: Giants
Watch GWS’s press conference after opening round match against Hawthorn
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03:27
Quick Recap: GWS v Hawthorn
Short highlights of the Giants and Hawks clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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01:42
Big Jakey pulls the strings with bag of five
Jake Stringer proves a handful up forward, booting five goals from all angles in a dominant display
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08:04
Highlights: GWS v Hawthorn
The Giants and Hawks clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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00:47
Rise of the Phoenix: Gothard’s dream debut goal
GWS first-gamer Phoenix Gothard delivers the dagger in the final quarter and sends the stadium into raptures
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00:47
Oliver twist: Clarry’s first in orange is absolutely ridiculous
Clayton Oliver lands a mesmerising finish for his first Giants goal as teammates rush in to celebrate
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00:54
Chol patrol: Big Mabior in the air
Mabior Chol gets the jump and sticks a superb mark to give Hawthorn some life
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00:42
Hollywood moment: Tom Hanks gives the all-clear
Movie legend Tom Hanks joins the fun from the boundary by signalling the goal after Stephen Coniglio’s effort
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00:47
Stringer springs highest for towering hanger
Jake Stringer launches above the pack to reel in a smooth speccy that ignites the home crowd
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00:42
‘Came from nowhere’: The Wizard’s magic act
Nick Watson flashes past the contest at pace before finishing brilliantly on the burst for a sensational goal
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00:45
Riccardi kickstarts the party with sky-high snap
Jake Riccardi launches a towering effort that hangs in the air before finally dropping through the big sticks
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00:47
Ginni’s off the mark in 2026 and into celebration mode
Jack Ginnivan opens his account with a sharp finish from a tough angle before unveiling a new celebration
Brisbane v Western Bulldogs
10 Ed Richards (WB)
6 Charlie Cameron (BL)
4 Lachie Neale (BL)
3 Rory Lobb (WB)
3 Bailey Williams (WB)
2 Harris Andrews (BL)
1 Connor Budarick (WB)
1 Ryan Lester (BL)
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20:02
Mini-Match: Brisbane v Western Bulldogs
Extended highlights of the Lions and Bulldogs clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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11:39
Full post-match, OR: Bulldogs
Watch Western Bulldogs’s press conference after opening round match against Brisbane
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05:15
Full post-match, OR: Lions
Watch Brisbane’s press conference after opening round match against Western Bulldogs
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03:28
Quick Recap: Brisbane v Western Bulldogs
Short highlights of the Lions and Bulldogs clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:12
Highlights: Brisbane v Western Bulldogs
The Lions and Bulldogs clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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03:51
Last two mins: Dogs hold firm against reigning premiers
The thrilling final moments between Brisbane and Western Bulldogs in Opening Round
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00:36
Gardiner concedes crucial 50m after late contact
Aaron Naughton boots an important goal from the square after Darcy Gardiner recklessly charges into the Bulldog in the final minutes
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00:33
Lion and Dog tangle after Zac’s late whack
Zac Bailey may face a nervous wait from the MRO following this strike on Michael Sellwood
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00:54
Did this dancing Dog just kick Goal of the Year?
Bailey Williams sells more candy in one play than most sell all season in a mesmerising piece of skill to put his hand up for Goal of the Year
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00:38
Is Lions captain in danger after stray arm rules out Dog?
Harris Andrews may find himself in hot water after contact on Arty Jones rules the Bulldog out with concussion
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00:45
Allen breaks through as a Lion
Oscar Allen receives the perfect bounce on the goal line before slotting his first major for Brisbane
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00:51
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00:38
New Dog Budarick strikes from distance
Connor Budarick nails this booming finish from distance for his first goal in Dogs colours
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00:47
‘Take me home Charlie’: Cameron ignites Gabba
Charlie Cameron kicks a quick double in the second quarter to fire the Lions
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00:50
'He’s an artist’: New season, same old Bont
Marcus Bontempelli hits the scoreboard in the first term after a clever gather and finish
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00:41
Great Zane: Debut delight for Zakostelsky
Zane Zakostelsky nails his first AFL goal on debut and gets swamped by his teammates
St Kilda v Collingwood
10 Nick Daicos (COLL)
6 Jack Sinclair (STK)
4 Jordan De Goey (COLL)
4 Josh Daicos (COLL)
2 Scott Pendlebury (COLL)
2 Dan Houston (COLL)
2 Isaac Quaynor (COLL)
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20:03
Mini-Match: St Kilda v Collingwood
Extended highlights of the Saints and Magpies clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
-
08:13
Full post-match, OR: Magpies
Watch Collingwood’s press conference after opening round match against St Kilda
-
08:43
Full post-match, OR: Saints
Watch St Kilda’s press conference after opening round match against Collingwood
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03:29
Quick Recap: St Kilda v Collingwood
Short highlights of the Saints and Magpies clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:15
Highlights: St Kilda v Collingwood
The Saints and Magpies clash in Opening Round of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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00:42
Flyin' Ryan pumped after bringing Saints back from brink
Liam Ryan takes an impressive mark near the boundary and completes the play with a pinpoint set shot
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01:12
Marshalled off: Rowan ruled out with concussion
St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall comes from the ground after this marking contest and is later ruled out of the match with concussion
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00:30
Nerves of Steele: Roan slots his first
Collingwood's Roan Steele runs into an open goal and kicks his first major at AFL level
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00:56
Speedster firing on all fronts with massive double
Beau McCreery drills two impressive running goals very early in the third quarter with an assist from Scott Pendlebury
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00:56
Nas gets into gear with ripping major
Nasiah Wanganeeen-Milera breaks the deadlock with a brilliant snap following a gutsy team effort
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01:05
De Goey double opens with stunning spinning snaps
Jordan De Goey is up to his old tricks early with these ripping snaps for the Pies' first goals for the season
LEADERBOARD
10 Nick Daicos (COLL)
10 Justin McInerney (SYD)
10 Christian Petracca (GCFC)
10 Ed Richards (WB)
10 Jake Stringer (GWS)
8 Errol Gulden (SYD)
8 Bailey Humphrey (GCFC)
7 Clayton Oliver (GWS)
6 Finn Callaghan (GWS)
6 Charlie Cameron (BL)
6 Jack Sinclair (STK)
5 Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
5 Isaac Heeney (SYD)
4 Josh Daicos (COLL)
4 Jordan De Goey (COLL)
4 Touk Miller (GCFC)
4 Lachie Neale (BL)
4 John Noble (GCFC)
3 Sam Collins (GCFC)
3 Rory Lobb (WB)
3 Tom McCartin (SYD)
3 Sam Walsh (CARL)
3 Bailey Williams (WB)
