Bailey Smith has been in sensational form so far in 2026 but he took his game to another level on Saturday night, receiving a perfect 10 coaches votes for his dominant performance against Collingwood. 

The star on-baller amassed 40 disposals (25 in the second half) for the second time this year and also registered six clearances, three goal assists and an incredible 14 score involvements, continually testing Collingwood's defence with his run and carry. 

With his 10 votes on Saturday night, Smith takes his tally to 36 votes for the season which puts him in eighth position on the overall leaderboard, the second highest tally of any Geelong player so far in 2026. 

For the fourth time in the last seven weeks, Oisin Mullin has featured in the votes after receiving seven from the coaches, taking his season tally to 14 votes which is tied for the third most by any Geelong player this year.  

Mullin was superb, collecting a career-high 21 disposals, five clearances and nine score involvements, while also limiting Nick Daicos to his lowest disposal and clearance totals of the year and nullifying his impact. 

Max Holmes received four more votes to continue closing the gap to the leaders, now sitting on 41 votes and in outright fifth position on the overall leaderboard, moving within nine votes of top spot. 

The star Cat eclipsed 30 disposals for the third time this year, finishing with 33 possessions and two goal assists to go with seven score involvements, continuing his sensational form in 2026. 

Shannon Neale was pivotal when the game was up for grabs and received one vote from the coaches, finishing with 13 score involvements from his 17 disposals and taking a career-high 10 marks in an influential performance.  

Shaun Mannagh rounded out the voting in Round 9 and he joins Oisin Mullin on 14 votes for the season, kicking three goals against the Magpies to go with his four-goal haul against North Melbourne a week earlier. 

The AFL Coaches Association’s 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 9 Coaches' Votes | Collingwood v Geelong Cats

Geelong Cats 2026 Coaches' Votes Leaderboard