Playing against arguably the best key defender of this generation, Geelong’s Harry Taylor was duly rewarded in the 2017 Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award for his Round 21 efforts.
Defender-turned-forward for the majority of the year, Taylor collected four contested marks and kicked four goals while opposed to Richmond’s Alex Rance in the Cats’ 14-point victory at Kardinia Park.
Taylor polled maximum votes from the coaches, with Patrick Dangerfield collecting five votes for his 30 touches, 10 tackles and 11 clearances to reduce the margin between himself and the first-placed Dustin Martin.
Martin failed to poll for his 21 disposals and two goals in the Tigers’ loss.
Five players received maximum votes from the coaches, including Sydney’s Luke Parker (29 disposals and three goals), Brisbane’s Dayne Beams (32 touches and four goals), West Coast’s Josh Kennedy (six goals) and Hawthorn’s Isaac Smith (29 disposals and two goals).
AFL Coaches’ Association votes for Round 21:
western bulldogs v gws
8 Kelly (GWS), 6 Coniglio (GWS), 6 Williams (GWS), 5 Patton (GWS), 4 Shiel (GWS), 1 Haynes (GWS)
sydney v fremantle
10 Parker (Syd), 7 Franklin (Syd), 7 Hannebery (Syd), 4 Rampe (Syd), 2 Heeney (Syd)
geelong v richmond
10 Taylor (Geel), 5 Dangerfield (Geel), 4 Guthrie (Geel), 4 Bews (Geel), 3 Prestia (Rich), 3 Vlastuin (Rich), 1 Stewart (Geel)
brisbane v gold coast
10 D. Beams (BL), 7 Rockliff (BL), 7 Taylor (BL), 2 Lester (BL), 2 Martin (BL), 1 Martin (GCS), 1 Rich (BL)
essendon v adelaide
9 M. Crouch (Adel), 7 Smith (Adel), 5 Atkins (Adel), 3 Douglas (Adel), 3 Jenkins (Adel), 3 McGrath (Ess)
west coast v carlton
10 Kennedy (WCE), 7 Murphy (Carl), 6 McGovern (WCE), 3 Shuey (WCE), 2 Yeo (WCE), 1 Kerridge (Carl), 1 Kreuzer (Carl)
melbourne v st kilda
9 Jones (Melb), 7 Pedersen (Melb), 5 Harmes (Melb), 4 Longer (St K), 4 Oliver (Melb), 1 Lewis (Melb)
hawthorn v north melbourne
10 Smith (Haw), 8 Breust (Haw), 5 Gunston (Haw), 5 Higgins (NM), 2 Hodge (Haw)
Port adelaide v collingwood
9 Wingard (PA), 8 Wines (PA), 5 Reid (Coll), 4 R. Gray (PA), 2 Boak (PA), 2 Treloar (Coll)
LEADERBOARD
104 — DUSTIN MARTIN (RICH)
99 — PATRICK DANGERFIELD (GEEL)
69 — TOM MITCHELL (HAW)
69 — RORY SLOANE (ADEL)
67 — ZACH MERRETT (ESS)
66 — CLAYTON OLIVER (MELB)
66 — DAYNE ZORKO (BRIS)
65 — MARCUS BONTEMPELLI (WB)
65 — JOSH KELLY (GWS)
61 — GARY ABLETT (GC)
61 — JOEL SELWOOD (GEEL)