BRISBANE'S September hero Will Ashcroft is on track to win his second Gary Ayres Medal after picking up another six votes in his side's thrilling preliminary final win over Hawthorn on Saturday.
Ashcroft, who picked up eight votes in the win over Adelaide last week, has moved to 14, one ahead of Fremantle ruck Luke Jackson, who earned another two votes in his side's win over Sydney.
>> SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE VOTES
Hawthorn star Nick Watson picked up 10 votes in his side's losing cause on Saturday, while Dockers midfielder Caleb Serong received 10 votes at the SCG.
Ashcroft, the 2025 winner, has picked up at least one vote in seven of his 11 career finals, including two best-on-ground performances in Grand Finals.
Richmond legend Dustin Martin (2017, 2019 and 2020) is the only player to have won the award more than once.
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 receive a 1.5 times loading.
The AFLCA determined this year that voting would not include votes from the two wildcard finals to ensure voting remained consistent with the format of previous seasons.
Following the success of the wildcard finals this year, the AFLCA said its advisory board will review the voting process to decide whether any permanent changes need to be made to the award voting system for 2027.
Sydney v Fremantle
10 Caleb Serong (FRE)
8 Hayden Young (FRE)
5 Tom McCartin (SYD)
3 Shai Bolton (FRE)
2 Luke Jackson (FRE)
1 Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)
1 Errol Gulden (SYD)
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20:09
Mini-Match: Sydney v Fremantle
Extended highlights of the Swans and Dockers clash in the second preliminary final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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12:50
Full post-match, PF: Dockers
Watch Fremantle’s press conference after their preliminary final against Sydney
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10:46
Full post-match, PF: Swans
Watch Sydney’s press conference after their preliminary final against Fremantle
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02:30
Young and relentless: Docker’s inspiring moments spark epic comeback
Watch Hayden Young’s tireless finals performance, capped by a huge goal on the three-quarter time siren that helped ignite Fremantle’s Grand Final berth
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03:29
Quick Recap: Sydney v Fremantle
Short highlights of the Swans and Dockers clash in the second preliminary final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:18
Highlights: Sydney v Fremantle
The Swans and Dockers clash in the second preliminary final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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03:36
Last two mins: Dudley caps stunning comeback to send Dockers into GF
The thrilling final moments between Sydney and Fremantle in the second preliminary final
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00:57
Fend of the year? 'Extraordinary' scenes as ridiculous Voss goal rocks final
Patrick Voss produces a monster fend-off on Dane Rampe before finishing a mesmerising major as the Dockers are coming fast
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00:29
Forever Young: Gun Docker keeps dream alive with massive moment
Hayden Young launches a huge goal on the three-quarter time siren to give the Dockers belief heading into the final term
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00:51
Clear the runway for Charlie: Curnow goes bananas after colossal clunk
Charlie Curnow soars for a massive grab before converting and celebrating with plenty of passion
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00:32
'That's dangerous': Docker's wild slide cleans up Papley
Commentators weigh in after Tom Papley appears to have his legs taken out by a sliding Karl Worner
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00:37
'That is inspirational': Dead-eye Jye pulls rabbit out of the hat
The Swans lay a tenacious tackle on Caleb Serong that goes unrewarded before Jye Amiss delivers a moment of magic
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00:30
Return of the McInerney: Swan salutes as 'beauty' brings big roar
Justin McInerney turns to the crowd in celebration after nailing a classy finish in his return from injury
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00:42
Nothing like an early Papley goal to get the SCG pumped up
Tom Papley snaps a ripper before getting his teammates fired up in trademark fashion
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00:47
Freo faithful in full voice early as pocket perfection opens show
Neil Erasmus gets the Dockers off to a flyer in the prelim with a brilliant bending finish from a tough angle
Hawthorn v Brisbane
10 Nick Watson (HAW)
7 Hugh McCluggage (BL)
6 Will Ashcroft (BL)
5 Josh Ward (HAW)
2 Kai Lohmann (BL)
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00:15
Raw vision: Lachie Neale's strike on Jack Ginnivan
Raw vision shows Lachie Neale striking Jack Ginnivan during the 2026 preliminary final
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20:17
Mini-Match: Hawthorn v Brisbane
Extended highlights of the Hawks and Lions clash in the first preliminary final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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01:00
Bottles thrown as umpires leave MCG
Umpires make their way from the field as bottles are thrown from the stands following Hawthorn's preliminary final loss to Brisbane
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11:30
Full post-match, PF: Hawks
Watch Hawthorn’s press conference after their preliminary final against Brisbane
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11:17
Full post-match, PF: Lions
Watch Brisbane’s press conference after their preliminary final against Hawthorn
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01:54
Wizard works overtime: Six-goal show falls agonisingly short
Nick Watson produces a spellbinding six-goal performance, almost dragging his side over the line before the Hawks suffer a heartbreaking defeat
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02:12
Enter the Lohmann: Watch Kai's high-five in epic prelim
Kai Lohmann turns showman yet again on the MCG stage, producing five massive majors as Brisbane claims a preliminary final classic
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03:29
Quick Recap: Hawthorn v Brisbane
Short highlights of the Hawks and Lions clash in the first preliminary final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:21
Highlights: Hawthorn v Brisbane
The Hawks and Lions clash in the first preliminary final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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04:27
Last two mins: McCluggage the hero as huge late call helps Lions past Hawks
The thrilling final moments between Hawthorn and Brisbane in the first preliminary final
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00:29
Pure madness as Watson's SIXTH sends Hawks ahead and 'G bananas
Nick Watson slots his sixth goal of the night to somehow put Hawthorn in front, sending the crowd into absolute raptures amid a stunning final-term fightback
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01:26
'The Greatest Lohmann' arrives: Kai flips final with stunning hat-trick
Kai Lohmann comes alive in the third quarter, lighting up the MCG with a crucial three-goal burst to propel the Lions ahead
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00:43
It's Hippy time: Lions turn the tide as electric Eric comes to life
Eric Hipwood comes up big in the third term with an exciting double to flip the momentum
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00:57
The Wizard waves his wand right on half-time doorstep
Nick Watson roves the ruck contest to perfection and snaps a cracking goal just moments before the main break
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00:38
Charlie brings the electricity as sizzling shot lights fuse
Charlie Cameron drills a much-needed goal for the Lions and hypes up his teammates
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00:30
McKenna or Messi? Irishman's 'incredible footwork' sparks mesmerising goal
Conor McKenna does it again, using his Gaelic touch to conjure a ridiculous major and stun the 'G early
LEADERBOARD
14 Will Ashcroft (BL)
13 Luke Jackson (FRE)
13 Nick Watson (HAW)
12 Hayden Young (FRE)
11 Caleb Serong (FRE)
10 Zac Bailey (BL)
10 Josh Worrell (ADEL)
9 Josh Battle (HAW)
9 Shai Bolton (FRE)
9 Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
9 Errol Gulden (SYD)
9 Shaun Mannagh (GEEL)
9 James Sicily (HAW)
8 Logan McDonald (SYD)
8 Tom Papley (SYD)
7 Hugh McCluggage (BL)
6 Oliver Henry (GEEL)
6 Izak Rankine (ADEL)
6 Ed Richards (WB)
5 Charlie Cameron (BL)
5 Tom McCartin (SYD)
5 Gryan Miers (GEEL)
5 Wayne Milera (ADEL)
5 Josh Ward (HAW)
