BRISBANE gun Will Ashcroft has become just the second player in history to win back-to-back Gary Ayres Awards after an incredible finals series and another clutch performance against Fremantle in the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final. 

The coaches rated Ashcroft as the best player on the ground in Saturday’s decider, following a huge final term in which he amassed 12 disposals and four clearances to help the Lions clinch victory from the jaws of defeat. 

>> SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE VOTES AND THE LEADERBOARD

Ashcroft joins Richmond legend Dustin Martin as the only players to win the prestigious award two years in a row. 

In fact, Martin is the only other player to have won the award more than once, having claimed the title in all three of Richmond’s premiership-winning years in 2017, 2019 and 2020. 

Ashcroft’s performance against the Dockers was eye-catching, finishing with a game-high 31 disposals, in addition to nine clearances, seven score involvements and 496 metres gained. 

The 22-year-old polled a total of 27.5 votes throughout the finals series, finishing ahead of Fremantle pair Caleb Serong (23 votes) and Luke Jackson (19 votes). 

Norm Smith medallist Shai Bolton received 4.5 votes for the Grand Final, finishing fifth behind Ashcroft, Serong, Jackson and Lions midfielder Josh Dunkley.

To reflect the importance of Grand Final day, the Gary Ayres Award votes receive 1.5 times loading for the decider. 

Ayres congratulated Ashcroft on his incredible achievement and ability to stand up when his side needed him most on the biggest stage of all.

"Winning this award once is a great achievement, but to back it up a year later is truly special," Ayres said.

"Will has shown that he thrives when the stakes are highest, and his consistency, composure and skill across the finals series have been outstanding.

"He is a deserving back-to-back winner and I congratulate him on this feat."

Coaches vote on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis after each final excluding the Wildcard round, but this will be reviewed by the AFLCA ahead of next year. 

Fremantle v Brisbane

Will Ashcroft (BL)      13.5
Caleb Serong (FRE)   12
Luke Jackson (FRE)    6
Josh Dunkley (BL)      6
Shai Bolton (FRE)       4.5
Dayne Zorko (BL)       1.5
Hayden Young (FRE)   1.5

LEADERBOARD

Previous winners

2016 Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
2017 Dustin Martin (Richmond)
2018 Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
2019 Dustin Martin (Richmond)
2020 Dustin Martin (Richmond)
2021 Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
2022 Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
2023 Sam Walsh (Carlton)
2024 Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
2025 Will Ashcroft (Brisbane)