A number of key Cats have made a strong start in the 2026 Gary Ayres Award, recognising the player adjudged the best throughout the Finals series, as voted by the coaches. 

Shaun Mannagh and Patrick Dangerfield topped the voting in Geelong's Elimination Final victory over Carlton, with the pair both receiving nine votes, sitting in a tie for second place on the overall leaderboard. 

Mannagh was thrust into the midfield and helped to change the game after the Cats' slow start, finishing Friday night with 25 disposals, six clearances, eight inside 50s and a goal, providing a spark with his creativity and decision-making. 

The skipper was equally as influential in another remarkable Finals performance, with Dangerfield kicking a game-high five goals from his 21 disposals, which included three consecutive goals in the final term to help seal the result. 

Gryan Miers received five votes for his dominant outing, collecting 24 disposals against the Blues, an equal game-high 12 score involvements and kicking two goals of his own, continually testing Carlton's defence with his skill. 

Tom Stewart was heavily influential across half back and received four votes for his display, taking five intercept marks in a game where no other player took more than two, while also finishing with a game-high 11 intercept possessions. 

Bailey Smith rounded out the voting after working through a tag, having a strong impact in the second half in particular and finishing the match with 27 disposals, six tackles and eight score involvements. 

The Gary Ayres Award is presented in recognition of the player who has been adjudged the best through the finals series, as voted by the coaches. Grand Final votes will receive a 1.5 times loading.

The AFLCA determined that voting for the Gary Ayres Award in the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series would not include votes from the two wildcard fixtures to ensure voting remained consistent with the format of previous seasons.

Elimination Final Coaches' Votes | Geelong Cats v Carlton

2026 Gary Ayres Award Leaderboard