Luke Shuey’s clutch goal after the siren in Saturday night’s blockbuster at Adelaide Oval wasn’t the only thing he did right in week one of the finals, with the West Coast midfielder polling maximum votes in the 2017 AFLCA Gary Ayres Award.
Shuey collected 32 disposals, 11 tackles and kicked two goals as the Eagles advanced to the semi finals in the most entertaining fashion, with teammate Jeremy McGovern and opponent Charlie Dixon the next best in the eyes of the coaches.
Only two players collected maximum votes in the first week of the finals series, with Sydney’s Josh Kennedy also polling ten votes for his 29 disposals, eight clearances and two goals in the Swans emphatic victory over the Bombers.
AFL Coaches’ Association votes for week one of the finals:
adelaide v gws giants
8 B. Crouch (Adel), 8 Betts (Adel), 5 M. Crouch (Adel), 4 Lynch (Adel), 3 Ward (GWS), 1 Brown (Adel), 1 Douglas (Adel)
geelong v richmond
9 Martin (Rich), 8 Cotchin (Rich), 7 Vlastuin (Rich), 4 Prestia (Rich), 1 Lambert (Rich), 1 Rance (Rich)
sydney v essendon
10 Kennedy (Syd), 8 Parker (Syd), 5 Sinclair (Syd), 5 Towers (Syd), 1 Franklin (Syd), 1 Lloyd (Syd)
port adelaide v west coast
10 Shuey (WCE), 8 McGovern (WCE), 6 Dixon (PA), 3 Priddis (WCE), 2 Wines (PA), 1 Byrne-Jones (PA)
LEADERBOARD
10 — JOSH KENNEDY (SYD)
10 — LUKE SHUEY (WC)
9 — DUSTIN MARTIN (RICH)
8 — EDDIE BETTS (ADEL)
8 — TRENT COTCHIN (RICH)
8 — BRAD CROUCH (ADEL)
8 — JEREMY MCGOVERN (WC)
8 — LUKE PARKER (SYD)
7 — NICK VLASTUIN (RICH)
6 — CHARLIE DIXON (PA)