Bailey Smith has closed within six votes of the overall leader in the 2025 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award, receiving a game-high nine votes in Geelong's Round 22 win over Essendon. 

The star midfielder eclipsed 30 disposals in a game for the 11th time this season, adding nine clearances and three goal assists in a stellar performance to help the Cats move into the top two heading into the penultimate game of the home and away season. 

With the nine votes in Round 22, Smith moves into a tie for fourth on the overall leaderboard and it takes his tally to 87 votes for the year, just six votes behind leader, Noah Anderson. 

Shaun Mannagh's influential display did not go unnoticed on Friday night, awarded five votes from the coaches to take his tally to 25 for the season, the sixth most of any Geelong player in 2025. 

The crafty Cat accumulated 20 disposals, 10 score involvements and kicked three goals against Essendon, the fourth time that Mannagh has kicked three goals in a game this season. 

Max Holmes has maintained his position inside the top 10 on the overall leaderboard, awarded four votes in Round 22 to take his season tally to 81 votes, moving just 12 votes behind the overall leader. 

Again instrumental with his run and carry, Holmes collected 29 disposals and nine score involvements against the Bombers, while also pushing back when required and picking off six intercept possessions. 

Gryan Miers received three votes from the coaches as he continues to build a stellar campaign, amassing 22 disposals and a game-high 11 score involvements on Friday night. In his 150th AFL game, Miers was able to hit up targets in dangerous positions all night with his elite foot skills, now sitting on 27 votes for the season which is the fifth most of any Cat. 

Young star, Connor O'Sullivan was awarded three coaches votes after another strong performance in defence, picking off seven intercept possessions and taking a spectacular grab as he continues to impress in his second season at the top level. 

Shannon Neale rounded out the votes in Round 22, receiving one vote from the coaches after tearing the game apart early, kicking the opening three goals of the game to help the Cats gain the ascendancy early. 

The AFL Coaches Association’s AFL Champion Player Award is an award voted by the 18 coaching panels on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort by an individual player in a season.

Round 22 Coaches Votes | Geelong Cats v Essendon

2025 Overall Leaderboard

Geelong Cats 2025 Coaches' Votes Leaderboard