Four Geelong players have featured in the Round 12 coaches votes, with Connor O'Sullivan leading the way after another strong performance against Carlton at the MCG. 

Awarded a team-high three votes, O'Sullivan was influential on the last line of defence taking a season-high five intercept marks and three contested marks, to go with eight spoils in a brilliant display. 

Ollie Dempsey received two coaches' votes against the Blues which is also his first votes in the 2026 season, continuing his excellent form at the MCG with 18 disposals and two goals on Friday night. 

Also receiving two votes was star Cat Max Holmes, who takes his season tally to 52 votes and moves into outright third position on the overall leaderboard, trailing only Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli. 

Holmes collected 25 disposals and five clearances in Round 12, which included four from centre stoppages to help drive the Cats forward while also adding six score involvements. 

Tom Stewart rounded out the votes on Friday night, featuring in the coaches votes for the second time in three weeks and taking his season tally to 15 votes, the fifth most of any Geelong player in 2026. 

The champion defender fought hard to repel numerous Carlton attacks, finishing with six intercept possessions from his 22 disposals while going at a very impressive 96% disposal efficiency. 

Along with Holmes, Bailey Smith also remains entrenched in the top 10 on the overall leaderboard, sitting in eighth position with 48 votes. 

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 12 Coaches' Votes | Carlton v Geelong Cats

2026 AFLCA Coaches Votes Overall Leaderboard

Geelong Cats 2026 Coaches' Votes Leaderboard