Sam Walsh during the Second Preliminary Final between Brisbane and Carlton at the Gabba, September 23, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

CARLTON midfield star Sam Walsh has won the AFL coaches' award as the player of the finals series.

The prolific ball-winner polled 23 votes in the Gary Ayres Award over three games, including the Blues' preliminary final loss to Brisbane.

He finished 2.5 votes clear of Lions playmaker Keidean Coleman (20.5).

>> SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE VOTES AND THE FINAL LEADERBOARD

Collingwood Grand Final hero Bobby Hill (19) was third after starring with four goals in the season decider.

03:57

Brilliant Bobby breaks out best to claim Norm

Magpies recruit Bobby Hill marks a dazzling season in new colours by snaring the Norm Smith Medal after an inspired four-goal outing

Rival coaches Craig McRae and Chris Fagan agreed with the Norm Smith Medal voting panel, awarding Hill a maximum 10 votes for his Grand Final performance.

The Grand Final votes are given an extra 50 per cent loading, meaning Hill was given 15.

Walsh injured a hamstring late in the season but returned in round 24 and was outstanding throughout September.

The 23-year-old collected eight votes in Carlton's six-point elimination final win over Sydney and the maximum 10 for his performance in a two-point semi-final victory over Melbourne.

01:27

Walsh never stops running in inspiring outing

Sam Walsh helps his side over the line with a match-winning display that included a host of disposals, tackles and goals

Walsh polled another five votes in the Blues' season-ending 16-point defeat to eventual runners-up Brisbane.

Lions defender Coleman received a total of 10.5 votes for his grand final performance, with Collingwood stars Nick Daicos and Jack Crisp each awarded six votes.

Magpies midfielders Tom Mitchell and Scott Pendlebury (three each) and Brisbane forward Joe Daniher (1.5) rounded out the votes.

It was the eighth year of the Gary Ayres Award, named after the former Hawthorn champion who played in five premiership sides and won two Norm Smith Medals.

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has snared the award three times.

Collingwood wingman Steele Sidebottom, retired Sydney captain Josh Kennedy, Western Bulldogs gun Jack Macrae and Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield are the other previous winners.

Collingwood v Brisbane

15 - Bobby Hill (Collingwood)
10.5 - Keidean Coleman (Brisbane)
6 - Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
6 - Jack Crisp (Collingwood)
3 - Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)
3 - Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
1.5 - Joe Daniher (Brisbane)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:57

    Daicos' dream start with opening goal in Grand Final

    Nick Daicos notches the first major of the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final after receiving a free kick for high contact

    AFL
  • 00:45

    Bailey brings Lions to life with freakish finish

    Zac Bailey ignites his side after this outrageous shot gets Brisbane its first goal of the Grand Final

    AFL
  • 00:52

    Bailey rocks 'G again with astonishing solo goal

    Zac Bailey is lighting up the Grand Final with another tremendous display of individual brilliance

    AFL
  • 01:00

    Cruel concussion blow rules luckless Pie out of game

    Collingwood is thrown a massive injury concern as Nathan Murphy leaves the contest after another worrying head knock

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  • 00:47

    Charlie catches fire and inspires with two crackers

    The Lions look ominous in attack as livewire Charlie Cameron snares a pair of beauties

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Bobby brings house down with scintillating speccy

    Collingwood levels the scores after Bobby Hill absolutely launches himself for a massive mark and goal

    AFL
  • 03:55

    Grand Final stunners: The best goals from a pulsating first half

    From stunning snaps to brilliant long bombs, check out the best goals from an exhilarating first half of the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final

    AFL
  • 00:45

    De Goey and Daicos conjure magic in huge moment

    Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos link up at a crucial time to produce this unbelievable finish

    AFL
  • 00:50

    Berry's brain fade opens door for super Sidebottom strike

    Jarrod Berry concedes a costly 50m penalty and Steele Sidebottom makes him pay full price with a massive set shot that could bring the Pies home

    AFL
  • 03:56

    Last two mins: Pies defy Lions' charge to claim nail-biting flag

    The thrilling final moments between Collingwood and Brisbane in the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final

    AFL
  • 08:56

    Highlights: Collingwood v Brisbane

    The Magpies and Lions clash in the Grand Final

    AFL
  • 03:57

    Brilliant Bobby breaks out best to claim Norm

    Magpies recruit Bobby Hill marks a dazzling season in new colours by snaring the Norm Smith Medal after an inspired four-goal outing

    AFL
  • 20:00

    Full post-match, GF: Magpies

    Watch Collingwood's press conference after their Grand Final against Brisbane

    AFL
  • 08:16

    Full post-match, GF: Lions

    Watch Brisbane's press conference after their Grand Final against Collingwood

    AFL
  • 14:53

    Mini-Match: Collingwood v Brisbane

    Extended highlights of the Magpies and Lions clash in the Grand Final

    AFL

Brisbane v Carlton

10 - Keidean Coleman (Brisbane)
7 - Josh Dunkley (Brisbane)
5 - Sam Walsh (Carlton)
4 - Oscar McInerney (Brisbane)
3 - Harris Andrews (Brisbane)
1 - Caleb Marchbank (Carlton)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:38

    Blues erupt as Cottrell bursts clear for electric opener

    Carlton fans go wild as Matthew Cottrell streams forward to land the first goal of the game

    AFL
  • 00:59

    Stadium shellshocked early as Carlton keeps cooking

    The Blues can do no wrong as Sam Docherty and Charlie Curnow pile on more pain to make it five unanswered goals

    AFL
  • 01:14

    Acres prevents yet another goal in hairy situation

    Blake Acres does what he's been doing all finals series with a crucial touch in the goalsquare, this time with his head in fortuitous fashion

    AFL
  • 00:37

    McKenna raises noise level at Gabba with super snap

    Conor McKenna gets the home crowd believing again with this timely goal in the second term

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Charlie time as Lions look ominous again

    Brisbane appears to have settled the early nerves as Charlie Cameron chimes in with a huge snap

    AFL
  • 00:54

    Lions' massive injury scare as Neale grabs shoulder

    Brisbane suffers an almighty fright in the third term as gun midfielder Lachie Neale appears to hurt his shoulder in this tackle

    AFL
  • 00:56

    McCarthy provides the icing as Brisbane books in big dance

    Lincoln McCarthy puts the result beyond doubt as the Lions all but lock in a date with the Pies

    AFL
  • 08:16

    Highlights: Brisbane v Carlton

    The Lions and Blues clash in the second preliminary final

    AFL
  • 02:26

    Kiddy's kicking comes up big in gold-class display

    Keidean Coleman's stellar use of the footy helps the Lions over the line in a gutsy prelim victory

    AFL
  • 07:33

    Full post-match, PF: Blues

    Watch Carlton's press conference after their Preliminary Final against Brisbane

    AFL
  • 11:25

    Full post-match, PF: Lions

    Watch Brisbane's press conference after their Preliminary Final against Carlton

    AFL
  • 14:17

    Mini-Match: Brisbane v Carlton

    Extended highlights of the Lions and Blues clash in the second preliminary final

    AFL

Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney

10 - Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
5 - Tom Green (GWS)
4 - Jack Crisp (Collingwood)
3 - Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
3 - Connor Idun (GWS)
2 - Josh Kelly (GWS)
2 - Isaac Quaynor (Collingwood)
1 - Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 01:00

    Collingwood roar rings as McStay opens show

    Magpies recruit Dan McStay gets the home crowd buzzing early after landing the first goal of the game

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Daicos and Greene trade epic no-look handballs

    Nick Daicos and Toby Greene both showcase their sublime skill and vision in these mesmerising plays

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Greene, Green, class: Giants reach sky

    Toby Greene and Tom Green get GWS believing with a pair of huge goals in the second term

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Toby tantalising again with one from top drawer

    GWS skipper Toby Greene continues to lead from the front with a beautiful snap to extend his side's lead

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Beau sends 'G into frenzy as Pies reclaim lead

    The Collingwood faithful goes wild as Beau McCreery inches his side back in front with this snap

    AFL
  • 00:21

    Pies blow as key forward subbed with leg complaint

    Collingwood suffers a worrying injury concern with Dan McStay limping off the field after this contest

    AFL
  • 00:19

    Daicos catches Giants small in driving tackle

    A hot passage sees Nick Daicos lay a fierce tackle on Brent Daniels in the final term

    AFL
  • 00:34

    Cox stirs pot after massive final-quarter moment

    Mason Cox lets the Giants know all about it after converting a crucial goal in the fourth term

    AFL
  • 03:57

    Last two mins: Pies hold off Giants in epic prelim

    Enjoy the thrilling final moments between Collingwood and GWS in the first preliminary final

    AFL
  • 08:18

    Highlights: Collingwood v GWS

    The Magpies and Giants clash in the first preliminary final in 2023

    AFL
  • 02:57

    De Goey the clearance beast goes another gear

    Jordan De Goey produces one of his most powerful performances in the engine room as Collingwood advances to the big dance

    AFL
  • 08:49

    Full post-match, PF: Magpies

    Watch Collingwood's press conference after their Preliminary Final against GWS

    AFL
  • 10:09

    Full post-match, PF: Giants

    Watch GWS's press conference after their Preliminary Final against Collingwood

    AFL
  • 14:53

    Mini-Match: Collingwood v GWS

    Extended highlights of the Magpies and Giants clash in the first preliminary final

    AFL

Leaderboard

23 Sam Walsh (Carlton)
20.5 Keidean Coleman (Brisbane)
19 Bobby Hill (Collingwood)
17 Tom Green (Greater Western Sydney)
16 Jack Crisp (Collingwood)
10 Stephen Coniglio (Greater Western Sydney)
10 Josh Kelly (Greater Western Sydney)
10 Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane)
10 Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
9 Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
9 Blake Acres (Carlton)
8 Max Gawn (Melbourne)
8 Jesse Hogan (Greater Western Sydney)
8 Steven May (Melbourne)
8 Lachie Whitfield (Greater Western Sydney)
7 Joe Daniher (Brisbane)
7 Josh Dunkley (Brisbane)
8 Isaac Quaynor (Collingwood)
5 Tom McCartin (Sydney)
4 Matthew Cottrell (Carlton)
4 Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
4 Connor Idun (Greater Western Sydney)
4 Oscar McInerney (Brisbane)
4 Cameron Rayner (Brisbane)
4 Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
3 Connor Idun (Greater Western Sydney)
3 Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)
3 Harris Andrews (Brisbane)
1.5 Joe Daniher (Brisbane)
1 Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
1 Caleb Marchbank (Carlton)

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)