ADELAIDE defender Josh Worrell is the outright leader of the AFLCA's Gary Ayres Medal after the qualifying and elimination finals as the only player to poll 10 votes.
Worrell collected 19 intercept possessions in Adelaide's elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs, which was the most ever recorded in a final, and the most by any player this year.
>> SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE VOTES
He is one vote clear of Hawthorn duo Josh Battle and James Sicily, and Geelong pair Patrick Dangerfield and Shaun Mannagh, who all polled nine votes in their team's respective finals wins.
Tom Papley, Logan McDonald and Errol Gulden (eight votes apiece) couldn't be split as the coaches' best afield in Sydney's stunning win over Brisbane at the SCG.
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.
The AFLCA determined that voting for the Gary Ayres Award in the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series would not include votes from the two wildcard fixtures to ensure voting remained consistent with the format of previous seasons.
Following the success of the wildcard finals this year, the AFLCA's Advisory Board will review the voting process to decide whether any permanent changes need to be made to the award voting system for 2027.
Fremantle v Hawthorn
9 James Sicily (HAW)
9 Josh Battle (HAW)
3 Nick Watson (HAW)
3 Will Day (HAW)
2 Dylan Moore (HAW)
2 Alex Pearce (FRE)
1 Jordan Clark (FRE)
1 Luke Jackson (FRE)
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20:11
Mini-Match: Fremantle v Hawthorn
Extended highlights of the Dockers and Hawks clash in the first qualifying final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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12:29
Full post-match, QF: Hawks
Watch Hawthorn’s press conference after their Qualifying Final match against Fremantle
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10:39
Full post-match, QF: Dockers
Watch Fremantle’s press conference after their Qualifying Final match against Hawthorn
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01:23
Wall of Sicily: Skipper impenetrable in finals masterclass
James Sicily produces a commanding performance, racking up 26 disposals and 10 marks to repeatedly repel Fremantle and lead his side into a prelim
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08:17
Highlights: Fremantle v Hawthorn
The Dockers and Hawks clash in the first qualifying final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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03:29
Quick Recap: Fremantle v Hawthorn
Short highlights of the Dockers and Hawks clash in the first qualifying final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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00:51
Luckless Docker left emotional after cruel ankle blow
A dejected Brandon Walker is forced out of the game in the third term after rolling his ankle
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00:37
'We can get 'em!': Bursting Brayshaw brings Freo faithful to life
Andy Brayshaw storms through for a superb running goal to lift belief around the stadium
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00:45
Clark Kent? Freo flyer goes full Superman with massive speccy
Jordan Clark launches over a Hawk to pull down a spectacular grab and give the Dockers a much-needed spark
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01:05
Docker's 'inspiring' chase ends abruptly as electric Hawk crashes party
Karl Worner's desperate tackle ignites Fremantle, but Dylan Moore quickly flips any momentum with a cracking goal
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00:33
Where did he come from? Wizard flashes by for 'remarkable' finish
Nick Watson swoops on the loose footy and improvises brilliantly off the deck to produce a stunning goal
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00:33
Lights, camera, Jackson: 'Dogga' gets Dockers rocking early
Luke Jackson drifts forward for a strong mark before finishing truly to spark the home crowd
Geelong v Carlton
9 Shaun Mannagh (GEEL)
9 Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
5 Gryan Miers (GEEL)
4 Tom Stewart (GEEL)
3 Bailey Smith (GEEL)
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20:15
Mini-Match: Geelong v Carlton
Extended highlights of the Cats and Blues clash in the first elimination final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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13:30
Full post-match, EF: Cats
Watch Geelong’s press conference after their elimination final match against Carlton
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11:26
Full post-match, EF: Blues
Watch Carlton’s press conference after their elimination final match against Geelong
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02:11
Prime Danger unleashed: Watch champ erupt for FIVE in finals takeover
Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield lights up the big stage once again with an inspiring five-goal haul to lead his side to a brilliant finals victory
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03:29
Quick Recap: Geelong v Carlton
Short highlights of the Cats and Blues clash in the first elimination final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:18
Highlights: Geelong v Carlton
The Cats and Blues clash in the first elimination final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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00:41
Enter the Danger zone: Cats champ does it again with almighty blow
Patrick Dangerfield delivers the dagger to cap yet another special performance from the evergreen superstar
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00:38
Miers on fire: Cats magician cooks up gold from downtown
Gryan Miers continues his superb outing with a quality strike on the burst from outside 50 to push the Cats further ahead
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00:48
All part of the plan? Cats turn horror miss into Mannagh magic
Ollie Dempsey somehow fluffs a golden chance right in front of goal before Shaun Mannagh makes amends moments later with a cracker
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00:47
Holmes, sweet Holmes: Max marks return with telling strike
Cats superstar Max Holmes comes up big before half-time, finding the goals in his first game since round 19 to help Geelong claw its way back
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00:41
Young Blue sent for HIA after brutal friendly-fire moment
Harry Dean's brave aerial effort ends with an accidental boot to the face from a teammate, forcing him from the field for a HIA
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00:42
'Cripps, you are a genius!': Captain's crazy finish sparks deafening roar
Patrick Cripps somehow threads a remarkable goal from a tight angle as the Carlton faithful erupt
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00:42
'This star of the game': Skipper stands up when needed
Patrick Dangerfield produces a timely captain's goal to halt Carlton's early momentum and get Geelong moving
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00:48
Frankie ruthless: Blue catches Cat napping for team-lifting opener
Francis Evans breaks the early deadlock with a brilliant tackle on Shaun Mannagh before slotting the game's first goal
Sydney v Brisbane
8 Logan McDonald (SYD)
8 Tom Papley (SYD)
8 Errol Gulden (SYD)
4 Charlie Curnow (SYD)
2 James Rowbottom (SYD)
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20:15
Mini-Match: Sydney v Brisbane
Extended highlights of the Swans and Lions clash in the second qualifying final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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10:27
Full post-match, QF: Swans
Watch Sydney’s press conference after their qualifying final match against Brisbane
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06:39
Full post-match, QF: Lions
Watch Brisbane’s press conference after their qualifying final match against Sydney
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02:25
Victory Paps: Watch five-goal Swan turn September into pure theatre
Tom Papley lights up the finals with a stunning five-goal haul, feeding off the SCG energy and delivering a performance to remember
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03:29
Quick Recap: Sydney v Brisbane
Short highlights of the Swans and Lions clash in the second qualifying final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:18
Highlights: Sydney v Brisbane
The Swans and Lions clash in the second qualifying final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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00:41
Charlie's latest piece of magic sends stadium and coaches' box wild
Charlie Curnow produces another dazzling finish in a rampant third term, sending the crowd and Dean Cox into a frenzy
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00:42
Goal of the finals? Gulden's epic burst brings the house down
Errol Gulden charges through the middle, gets the footy back and finishes brilliantly on his left to send the SCG into a frenzy
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00:51
The Papley show continues in full box-office mode
Tom Papley bags another two goals in the third term and celebrates with trademark passion as the SCG erupts around him
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00:42
'You can tell his Gaelic background': Lion's fancy footwork comes up big
Conor McKenna shows off his Irish flair with two brilliant kicks off the deck to help create a team-lifting goal for Jarrod Berry
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00:55
'It looked like it was missing': Swan's sweet shot bends back from nowhere
Tom Papley's brilliant tackle sparks another forward surge before Logan McDonald somehow squeezes one home
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01:09
Horror Swans scenes as skipper suffers worrying knee injury
Sydney is dealt a massive blow as captain Callum Mills is helped from the field after suffering a knee injury
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01:10
SCG gets louder as Lion's 'deliberate' rushed behind fuels the fire
Tom Papley cashes in after Jaspa Fletcher is pinged for rushing the footy through as Sydney's relentless early siege rolls on
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00:59
Charlie goes full circus early as one-hander sparks opener
Charlie Curnow pulls down an eye-catching grab before Logan McDonald finishes the chain for the opening goal of the game
Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
10 Josh Worrell (ADEL)
6 Izak Rankine (ADEL)
6 Ed Richards (WB)
5 Wayne Milera (ADEL)
3 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
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20:09
Mini-Match: Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
Extended highlights of the Crows and Bulldogs clash in the second elimination final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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14:54
Full post-match, EF: Bulldogs
Watch Western Bulldogs press conference after their elimination final match against Adelaide’s
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12:38
Full post-match, EF: Crows
Watch Adelaide’s press conference after their elimination final match against Western Bulldogs
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01:54
'Great Wall of Worrell': Crow's intercept clinic on the big stage
Josh Worrell delivers a commanding performance down back, racking up 34 disposals and a whopping 19 intercept possessions in a stellar finals display
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03:29
Quick Recap: Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
Short highlights of the Crows and Bulldogs clash in the second elimination final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:18
Highlights: Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
The Crows and Bulldogs clash in the second elimination final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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00:41
'Would've been Goal of the Year?': Rankine pulls off the IMPOSSIBLE finish
Izak Rankine does it again with a spectacular goal from a ridiculous angle, leaving the commentators in disbelief
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00:54
Scenes as Walker's special roost shakes Adelaide Oval one last time
Taylor Walker launches a massive final-term goal to send the crowd into raptures in his final appearance in front of home fans
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00:55
Richards rises to the moment with massive goal to rock contest
Ed Richards surges forward with pace and nails a stunning running goal to draw the Bulldogs level in a pulsating final term
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00:45
'Could he be the one?': Lewis lands huge double blow as Dogs keep coming
Will Lewis comes up big with two final-term goals as the Bulldogs pile on the pressure and close in on the Crows
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00:41
'How do you miss that?': Keays cashes in as Dog leaves door open
Ben Keays somehow sneaks through a towering effort after Rory Lobb tussles with his opponent in the square but fails to get a hand to the footy
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01:32
Signed with a kiss: Arty's cheeky salute to vocal crowd after cool finish
Arthur Jones cashes in on a free kick that frustrates the home fans, before blowing a kiss to celebrate
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00:36
Pure Rachele: Crafty Crow cooks up clever finish
Josh Rachele produces a classy effort around the goals to get the Adelaide crowd up and about
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00:47
Richards reacts in a flash and trusty left does the rest
Ed Richards keeps his cool after Aaron Naughton dishes it off, snapping truly to notch his side's first of the game
LEADERBOARD
10 Josh Worrell (ADEL)
9 Josh Battle (HAW)
9 Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
9 Shaun Mannagh (GEEL)
9 James Sicily (HAW)
8 Errol Gulden (SYD)
8 Logan McDonald (SYD)
8 Tom Papley (SYD)
6 Izak Rankine (ADEL)
6 Ed Richards (WB)
5 Gryan Miers (GEEL)
5 Wayne Milera (ADEL)
