Joint winner of the 2025 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award, Bailey Smith has officially commenced his title defence after a sublime performance against Adelaide in Round 3. 

Smith received nine votes from the coaches after amassing a game-high 40 disposals on Thursday night, laying 10 tackles and adding seven inside 50 entries in a dominant four-quarter display. 

The superstar on-baller also won six clearances and laid three tackles inside forward 50, playing a pivotal role as Geelong held on to win a thriller under lights at GMHBA Stadium. 

Shaun Mannagh was the next best Cat according to the coaches, receiving five votes for his 24 disposal outing against the Crows. 

Important early with his clean skills in difficult conditions, Mannagh helped to set the tone for the Cats and finished with a game-high eight score involvements, also laying three tackles inside 50 and winning four clearances as his toughness around the football proved telling. 

Max Holmes backed up his dominant Round 1 performance with another brilliant display against Adelaide, collecting 27 disposals and earning four coaches votes to take his season tally to 12. 

The dashing midfielder was able to have an influence at both ends of the ground, registering seven score involvements and picking off five intercept possessions despite the wet and slippery conditions at Kardinia Park. 

Sam De Koning (18 disposals, 12 marks) and Tom Stewart (24 disposals, nine intercepts) were sensational in defence and helped to restrict the impact of Adelaide's potent forward line, with both players receiving two votes from the coaches. 

Gryan Miers (25 disposals) received his first coaches vote in 2026, while Oisin Mullin (13 disposals) also received one vote after playing an instrumental role, as he restricted Crows superstar Izak Rankine to just seven disposals and a goal. 

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 3 Coaches' Votes | Geelong Cats v Adelaide

Geelong Cats 2026 Coaches' Votes Leaderboard