Lachie Neale is the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year. Picture: AFL Photos

BRISBANE midfielder Lachie Neale has been recognised for his outstanding season by the game's 18 coaches, named the Shadforth Financial Group AFL Coaches' Association Player of the Year on Thursday night.

Neale enjoyed a terrific campaign, leading the League for disposals and finishing top-five in the competition for both clearances and contested possessions as the Lions soared to second-place on the AFL ladder.

>> Check out who polled in round 18 from your club below and the full leaderboard at the bottom

It culminated in Neale becoming the first Brisbane player to win the AFLCA Player of the Year since the award's inception in 2003, finishing narrowly ahead of Melbourne gun Christian Petracca and Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak in the voting.

Petracca polled a perfect 10 against Essendon to pip Boak for second place.

North Melbourne v West Coast

9 Liam Ryan (WCE)
6 Jed Anderson (NMFC)
5 Andrew Gaff (WCE)
5 Jy Simpkin (NMFC)
3 Liam Duggan (WCE)
1 Shannon Hurn (WCE)
1 Oscar Allen (WCE)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 11:08

    Shaw: 'The way we finished off was fantastic'

    Rhyce Shaw was 'really pleased' with his side's effort tonight, stating it was a welcome change compared to the last few weeks and a positive way to end their season

    AFL
  • 07:50

    Simmo on JK: 'It's a new injury to his ankle'

    Adam Simpson explains Josh Kennedy 'rolled his ankle' but will wait for further scans before commenting on the extent of it

    AFL
  • 05:35

    Highlights: North Melbourne v West Coast

    The Kangaroos and Eagles clash in round 18

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Anderson's fair whack from 50 a sight for North fans

    Jed Anderson comes up with a stunning effort from the 50m arc on his left

    AFL
  • 00:46

    This is the last man you want to turn a ball over to

    Todd Goldstein makes a serious error in defence by handing the footy straight to Liam Ryan, who makes him pay full price

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Allen key to Eagles spree

    The Eagles were crying out for someone to take control of the game and Oscar Allen delivers with two consecutive goals

    AFL
  • 00:46

    Enormous Eagles blow as Kennedy forced off

    West Coast have suffered a massive injury concern with key forward Josh Kennedy leaving the field with an ankle complaint

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Ryan, never stop supplying

    Liam Ryan continues his hot run of form with two beautiful kicks, one to set up a teammate and the other to earn a classy goal

    AFL
  • 00:38

    That's one dazzling Darling dribbler

    Jack Darling produces a moment of magic with a mesmerising goal from a tight angle

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Jed proves he has a hard head following this falcon

    North Melbourne's Jed Anderson brushes off a crunching falcon from short distance

    AFL

St Kilda v GWS Giants

10 Jack Steele (STK)
8 Rowan Marshall (STK)
3 Hunter Clark (STK)
3 Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
2 Josh Battle (STK)
2 Ben Paton (STK)
1 Paddy Ryder (STK)
1 Stephen Coniglio (GWS)

  • 07:13

    Full post-match: Saints

    Watch St Kilda's press conference after round 18's match against GWS

    AFL
  • 12:15

    Full post-match: Giants

    Watch GWS's press conference after round 18's match against St Kilda

    AFL
  • 05:45

    Highlights: St Kilda v GWS

    The Saints and Giants clash in round 18

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Ryder rolls it home

    The ball spills from a great Jack Lonie tackle and Paddy Ryder soccers it home

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Surging Saint strolls into an open goal

    Jack Lonie puts St Kilda further in front

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Toby Greene's touch of class

    Giants superstar Toby Greene snaps truly

    AFL
  • 00:30

    Veteran forced from field after Giant blow

    Greater Western Sydney's Sam Reid cops a knee to his ribs

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Battle kicks a ripper from 50

    Josh Battle produces a great goal for the Saints

    AFL

Essendon v Melbourne

10 Christian Petracca (MELB)
8 Bayley Fritsch (MELB)
4 Zach Merrett (ESS)
3 Max Gawn (MELB)
2 Steven May (MELB)
2 Jayden Hunt (MELB)
1 Mitchell W Brown (MELB)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 11:25

    Rutten: We need Joe's decision 'reasonably quickly'

    Incoming Essendon coach Ben Rutten discusses Joe Daniher's future with the club

    AFL
  • 07:59

    Goodwin: 'We've given it our best shot'

    Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says he has seen 'huge growth' in his side this year as the Dees await their finals fate

    AFL
  • 02:03

    Was this one final three-vote performance from Petracca?

    Christian Petracca had another standout performance in Melbourne's win against Essendon

    AFL
  • 06:24

    Highlights: Essendon v Melbourne

    The Bombers and Demons clash in round 18

    AFL
  • 00:50

    One final farewell for Woosha and Bellchambers

    Melbourne and Essendon players line up to farewell John Worsfold and Tom Bellchambers

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Fritsch puts the final nail in the coffin

    A quick snap from Bayley Fritsch seals the win for Melbourne

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Shiel's huge strike keeps the Bombers alive

    Dylan Shiel steps to the side and kicks a massive goal from 50m

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Stringer flies and Smith scores

    Jake Stringer completely misses the mark but Devon Smith mops up the mess

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Bulldozer Neal-Bullen with courage on display

    Alex Neal-Bullen keeps his eye on the ball and kicks a brilliant goal

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Stringer's passion on show after big goal for the Bombers

    Jake Stringer kisses his jumper after kicking a goal right on quarter time

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Petracca's bullet pass sets up a sitter for Hunt

    A perfect kick from Christian Petracca and chain of handballs from Melbourne ends in a Jayden Hunt goal

    AFL
  • 00:56

    Hunt puts on the jets and drives home a major

    Jayden Hunt gets on the move inside 50 and scores Melbourne's first of the day in style

    AFL

Adelaide v Richmond

9 Shane Edwards (RICH)
6 Jayden Short (RICH)
5 Dustin Martin (RICH)
4 Reilly O'Brien (ADEL)
3 Nick Vlastuin (RICH)
2 Kane Lambert (RICH)
1 Jack Graham (RICH)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 14:38

    Nicks: 'It needs to sting and it does'

    Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says despite a 'really disappointing season' he's 'excited for what the future holds' for the Crows

    AFL
  • 06:09

    Hardwick: 'Good players' will have to miss out on finals

    With the likes of Tom Lynch, Shai Bolton and Dion Prestia a good chance to return for finals Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says positions will be tight

    AFL
  • 06:28

    Highlights: Adelaide v Richmond

    The Crows and Tigers clash in round 18

    AFL
  • 00:43

    A simply superb snap from Lambert

    Kane Lambert extends the Tigers' lead with a lovely pickup and goal

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Tiger shows off his strength

    Josh Caddy shakes off an injury concern and kicks a big goal for the Tigers

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Tempers flare as Cotch and Crouch fire up

    The Tigers and Crows tussle after Trent Cotchin gives away a free kick to Brad Crouch

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Knee injury sparks doubt for Caddy

    Josh Caddy appears to be in discomfort at half-time after injuring his knee during a marking contest

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Clearing from the crowd pays off for McIntosh

    Kamdyn McIntosh finds some space near the boundary and finishes with a lovely goal

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Aarts takes advantage of a clear run home

    Jake Aarts takes the advantage, runs into an open goal and converts

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Tex becomes the all-time leading goalkicker for the Crows

    Taylor Walker breaks Tony Modra's goal kicking record after kicking his 441st goal

    AFL

Brisbane v Carlton

9 Daniel Rich (BL)
8 Lachie Neale (BL)
7 Callum Ah Chee (BL)
4 Samuel Walsh (CARL)
1 Brandon Starcevich (BL)
1 Harrison McKay (CARL)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 09:14

    Teague: We need to 'be stronger' in the 'critical moments'

    Carlton coach David Teague says see-sawing performances have 'happened too often' for the Blues this season

    AFL
  • 05:22

    Fagan on minor premiership: 'It's always good to do something historical'

    Chris Fagan says his side has given itself a chance to 'do something no other Brisbane side has done'

    AFL
  • 06:47

    Highlights: Brisbane v Carlton

    The Lions and Blues clash in round 18

    AFL
  • 01:01

    A final goodbye for Carlton champions

    Kade Simpson and Matthew Kreuzer are surrounded by Brisbane and Carlton players as they leave the ground

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Hipwood kicks a cracker at full speed

    Eric Hipwood receives a handball from Stefan Martin and finishes with a classy goal

    AFL
  • 00:56

    Retiring Simmo strikes a goal to remember

    Carlton champion Kade Simpson kicks a brilliant goal on the run during his final AFL game

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Curnow sticks it out in the rain for Simmo

    Heavy rain can't stop Charlie Curnow from supporting Kade Simpson in his final game

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Martin's look-away handball somehow works to perfection

    Stefan Martin attempts a look-away handball which results in a Lincoln McCarthy goal

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Casboult gets low and lands a blow

    Levi Casboult gathers the ball and snaps a goal through traffic

    AFL

Hawthorn v Gold Coast

10 Jack Gunston (HAW)
7 Liam Shiels (HAW)
5 Tom Mitchell (HAW)
3 David Swallow (GCFC)
2 Dylan Moore (HAW)
2 Damon Greaves (HAW)
1 Paul Puopolo (HAW)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 12:18

    Clarko: 'A fitting farewell for Poppy and Stratts'

    Alastair Clarksons says it was 'a special moment' having retiring club champion Ben Stratton earn a rare farewell goal, along with Paul Puopolo who starred with three of his own

    AFL
  • 09:16

    Dew: 'We let them run rings around us'

    Stuart Dew says he was 'extremely disappointed' to finish the season on a sour note after an 'unacceptable first-quarter', but is optimistic his young squad will improve again next year

    AFL
  • 03:29

    Poppy steals the show, with some help from Jack

    Retiring Hawthorn small forward Paul Puopolo ends his outstanding career with a superb performance, alongside his forward compatriot Jack Gunston

    AFL
  • 07:00

    Highlights: Hawthorn v Gold Coast

    The Hawks and Suns clash in round 18

    AFL
  • 01:48

    Amazing scenes after Stratton's fairytale achieved

    Departing Hawthorn captain Ben Stratton gets swarmed by teammates after earning a much-anticipated goal to complete an emotional ending

    AFL
  • 00:46

    Departing Poppy gets everyone off their seats

    Paul Puopolo has the whole Hawthorn club buzzing after scoring another stylish goal in his final game of AFL

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Rankine reaps rewards after ball thrown at him

    Izak Rankine applies some great pressure and produces a stunning checkside on the boundary, following a free kick

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Gunston pulls yet another Jack out of the box

    Jack Gunston continues his hot form with another major to his name, this time a soccer special on his left

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Hawks just wanted one Moore on the buzzer

    Hawthorn end a dominant first term with a last-ditch goal on the siren through Dylan Moore

    AFL
  • 00:55

    Jy Farrar with an absolute eye-catcher, first AFL goal

    Suns debutant Jy Farrar produces a moment of brilliance to notch his first ever AFL goal

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Oh Poppy, we'll miss these ones

    Paul Puopolo conjures a stunning early dribbler in his farewell game

    AFL

Sydney v Geelong

5 Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
5 Sam Menegola (GEEL)
5 Tom Stewart (GEEL)
4 Jed Bews (GEEL)
4 Josh Kennedy (SYD)
3 Tom Papley (SYD)
3 Jordan Dawson (SYD)
1 Callum Mills (SYD)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 10:01

    Longmire: 'We had a real crack against a top four side'

    John Longmire says 'there was a lot to like' about his side's brave effort against the Cats, who were playing for a top four spot

    AFL
  • 12:19

    Scott: 'I'm not even convinced we're in the best just yet'

    Chris Scott believes his side possess enough 'determination and will' that can give them an opportunity to compete strongly in the finals, even if they get off to a slow start like today

    AFL
  • 07:12

    Highlights: Sydney v Geelong

    The Swans and Cats go head to head in round 18

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Is this free harsh or correct against Hawkins?

    Tom Hawkins is left frustrated and confused after being penalised for using his knee in a marking contest

    AFL
  • 00:46

    Look out everyone, it's Danger time

    Paddy Dangerfield is single-handedly willing the Cats over the line with a stunning start to the final term, including three marks and two goals

    AFL
  • 00:27

    Debate rages on after Papley falls over

    Tom Papley appears to be pushed while taking a shot, but on replay looks to slightly overplay the contact

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Young Swan more pumped than Paps after this celebration

    Justin McInerney releases some serious emotion after scoring an important goal to open the third term

    AFL
  • 00:19

    This Cat absolutely pounces on unsuspecting Swan

    Geelong's Jack Henry does brilliantly to mow down Will Hayward, who had no idea he was coming

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Papley simply too dangerous in this scenario

    Tom Papley proves why he is one of the most-hyped small forwards in the business with this textbook crumbing goal

    AFL
  • 00:32

    Noise rises as the little master returns with a bang

    Returning champion Gary Ablett electrifies the crowd with a beautiful assist, followed up with a typically brilliant goal on the burst

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Swans have two after bursting Blakey comes through

    Nick Blakey crumbs the spillage to perfection and delivers a beautiful shot on the run

    AFL

Fremantle v Western Bulldogs

9 Lachie Hunter (WB)
9 Tom Liberatore (WB)
6 Nat Fyfe (FRE)
4 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
1 Patrick Lipinski (WB)
1 Caleb Serong (FRE)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 07:30

    Longmuir: 'We're not where we want to be'

    Despite some encouraging signs this year, Justin Longmuir is adamant his side isn't anywhere near where he expects them to be, declaring he's 'unsatisfied' and they have 'a long way to go'

    AFL
  • 11:12

    Bevo: 'We're over the moon'

    Luke Beveridge says his side are ecstatic to be in the finals race after a slow start to the season and also gives an update on the injury status of Aaron Naughton

    AFL
  • 05:53

    Highlights: Fremantle v Western Bulldogs

    The Dockers and Dogs go head to head in round 18

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Daniel delivers knockout blow, finals ahead

    The Bulldogs are all but in the finals after Caleb Daniel sneaks forward and puts the result beyond doubt

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Smith's sky-high shot hits the perfect spot

    Bailey Smith sends a wonderful snap towards goal and inches the Dogs one step closer to that vital finish line

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Massive Dogs blow as Naughton off to hospital

    The Bulldogs have suffered a big injury concern with key forward Aaron Naughton forced to leave the game following this clash

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Naughton snaps it through after Docker's horror blue

    Brennan Cox has a moment he'd rather forget, spilling an easy mark in defence and allowing his opponent to make him pay full price

    AFL
  • 00:39

    This Brownlow medallist can sure kick a ball from 60

    Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe delivers an incredible shot from distance

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Milestone Mitch turns to Messi

    Mitch Wallis shows off some crafty skills in front of the sticks to notch this soccer special

    AFL
  • 00:41

    This ruckman's opening snap deserves another look

    Sean Darcy gets the Dockers off to the best start possible with an awesome goal out of the ruck

    AFL

Collingwood v Port Adelaide

9 Dan Houston (PORT)
8 Tom Rockliff (PORT)
6 Robbie Gray (PORT)
3 Darcy Byrne-Jones (PORT)
2 Travis Boak (PORT)
2 Taylor Adams (COLL)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 06:15

    Buckley: 'We're either not far away or a long way away'

    Watch Collingwood's press conference after round 18's match against Port Adelaide

    AFL
  • 06:06

    Hinkley: 'It matters what happens from here on'

    Watch Port Adelaide's press conference after round 18's match against Collingwood

    AFL
  • 06:38

    Highlights: Collingwood v Port Adelaide

    The Magpies and Power clash in round 18

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Houston shows respect for Pendlebury's guard of honour

    The Power defender holds his words mid-interview to acknowledge Scott Pendlebury's moment as the Collingwood games record-holder

    AFL
  • 00:37

    Pies' record-breaker calm as ever to find De Goey

    Collingwood games record-holder Scott Pendlebury draws the man and Jordan De Goey kicks an important goal

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Motlop's towering snap very high and handsome

    Stevie Motlop has made a living of moments like this in front of goal

    AFL
  • 00:32

    Big Dixon with a big reaction to deft work

    Charlie Dixon pounces on the ground ball and roars in delight

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Mihocek ready for anything, including a bizarre Hosk handball

    Will Hoskin-Elliott catches everyone by surprise but Brody Mihocek saves the play

    AFL
  • 00:34

    This is Treloar at his bursting best from the stoppage

    Collingwood midfielder Adam Treloar kicks his first goal of the 2020 season and it's a gem

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Ebert scores in a blink after Pies pair collide

    The Power are on the board early through Brad Ebert and Isaac Quaynor is feeling the effects

    AFL

LEADERBOARD

93 Lachie Neale BL
78 Christian Petracca MELB
77 Travis Boak PORT
72 Jack Steele STK
60 Taylor Adams COLL
59 Marcus Bontempelli WB
56 Nic Naitanui WCE
55 Zach Merrett ESS
48 Cameron Guthrie GEEL
46 Jack Macrae WB
44 Patrick Dangerfield GEEL
44 Luke Parker SYD
43 Scott Pendlebury COLL
43 Ollie Wines PORT
42 Dustin Martin RICH
41 Sam Menegola GEEL
41 Liam Ryan WCE
40 Lachie Whitfield GWS
39 Nat Fyfe FRE
39 Jarryd Lyons BL

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