Swan has polled in seven out of 11 games thus far this year including a maximum 10 votes from both coaches with his 48-possession effort against Port Adelaide in round 10.
Also polling in seven matches is Scott Pendlebury who sits in second position, 10 votes behind Swan. Pendlebury’s best return was in round four against the Brisbane Lions polling eight votes with 35-possessions.
In the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year, coaches vote each week on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis. Coaches vote only on their own matches, but may vote for players on the opposing team.
Past winners of the prestigious award include Gary Ablett (2007-08), Simon Goodwin and Adam Goodes (joint winners in 2006), Barry Hall (2005) and Warren Tredrea (2004).
Continuing his impressive play from last season, Leon Davis has polled 17 votes from four matches to round out the top three. Davis was judged best afield in round nine against West Coast racking up 32-disposals and slotting three goals.
Other Magpies to poll 10 votes in a game include Josh Fraser (round two), Alan Didak (round 11) and Tarkyn Lockyer (round six).
Rising Star nominee for round eleven Brad Dick has polled 11 votes from his last two matches. The small forward received seven votes in last week’s win.
Similar to the Brownlow, it’s rare to see a defender poll strongly in the coaches’ votes as is evident with Harry O’Brien (three votes) and Simon Prestigiacomo (one vote) and Nick Maxwell (one vote) the only representatives from the Magpie backline.
Voting leaderboard from rounds 1-11
33 Dane Swan (seven games)
23 Scott Pendlebury (seven games)
17 Leon Davis (four games)
15 Alan Didak (three games)
12 Josh Fraser (two games)
12 Tarkyn Lockyer (two games)
11 Brad Dick (two games)
9 Paul Medhurst (one game)
6 Shane O’Bree (two games)
4 Leigh Brown (one game)
3 Harry O’Brien (two games)
3 John Anthony (one game)
2 Cameron Wood (one game)
1 Simon Prestigiacomo (one game)
1 Nick Maxwell (one game)
Overall leaderboard
59 Gary Ablett (Geel)
55 Chris Judd (Carl)
52 Steve Johnson (Geel)
46 Lenny Hayes (St K)
45 Nick Riewoldt (St K)
44 Nick Dal Santo (St K)
38 Sam Mitchell (Haw)
37 Paul Chapman (Geel)
37 Leigh Montagna (St K)
36 Matthew Boyd (WB)
