Geelong's star duo, Max Holmes and Bailey Smith, have continued their climb up the coaches votes leaderboard, after dominating in the Cats' important victory over Gold Coast on Friday night. 

Holmes received a perfect 10 votes from the coaches, taking his season tally to 63 votes and moving him into outright fourth position, continuing his remarkable form in the 2026 season. 

Collecting a game-high 31 disposals, Holmes amassed 805 metres gained to drive plenty of Geelong's ball movement, while also adding seven score involvements and four intercepts in a well-rounded performance. 

Receiving seven votes from the coaches in Round 14, Smith took his season tally to 55 votes and now sits in sixth position on the overall leaderboard, the defending champion nipping at the heels of the top five. 

The brilliant on-baller collected 27 disposals, laid six tackles and won five clearances against the Suns, while also generating 762 metres gained to partner with Holmes in helping the Cats to utilise the middle of the ground. 

Tom Atkins received four coaches votes for a tough and impressive outing, winning 17 disposals and laying eight tackles, while also collecting six clearances and a goal in a fantastic display. 

Jeremy Cameron (13 disposals, three goals) and Connor O'Sullivan (11 disposals, eight intercepts) were both instrumental at different ends of the ground, with the pair both receiving two coaches votes in Round 14. 

Ollie Dempsey (20 disposals, two goals) and Lawson Humphries (18 disposals, seven intercepts) rounded out the voting against the Suns, both continually testing the opposition with their run and carry off half back and on the wing. 

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 14 Coaches' Votes | Geelong Cats v Gold Coast

2026 AFLCA Coaches Votes Overall Leaderboard

Geelong Cats 2026 Coaches' Votes Leaderboard