The survey, commissioned exclusively for afl.com.au and prepared under the auspices of the AFL Coaches Association, found that the star Geelong midfielder easily was regarded as the League's best player, and the one most coaches would choose if they were starting a team from scratch.
Hawthorn's century goalkicker Lance Franklin was the second most-picked when coaches were asked anonymously to nominate three players they would take for a start-up side.
Only two coaches did not choose Ablett among his three players, while next-best Franklin was overlooked by seven coaches.
Just four players made the coaches' cut for best in the League, with nine choosing Ablett.
Four picked Carlton skipper and Brownlow medallist Chris Judd, while Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin and Hawthorn defender/midfielder Luke Hodge were the others chosen. One coach said they were unable to single out one player.
One coach said Ablett was "the most consistent game-changer," while two of those who voted for Judd said he was the most influential player in football.
The coach who voted for Hodge said his versatility in being able to play several positions made him the competition's finest exponent.
Thirteen players were nominated when coaches were asked to pick three current players as the nucleus for a new team.
Midfielders and power forwards were clearly preferred by coaches, with only one key defender, Geelong's Matthew Scarlett, being named.
Ruckmen, too, were largely overlooked, with West Coast's Dean Cox (two nominations) and Essendon's David Hille (one) the only big men chosen.
Ablett made all but two coaches' lists, with nine picking Franklin.
Judd and Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown were named five times, Hodge was selected four times, while Cox, St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt and Port Adelaide midfielder Shaun Burgoyne each received two nominations.
Hille, Goodwin, Scarlett, Geelong's Michael Tuck medallist Joel Selwood and the Western Bulldogs' reigning Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney each won a single vote.
One coach named Goodwin, Hodge and Ablett, and said he chose them because of "playing ability, playing flexibility, and track record under the heat."
Another chose Hodge, Burgoyne and Ablett because they were "game-breakers", and one selected Brown, Judd and Ablett on the basis of ability and age.
Riewoldt, Ablett and Franklin were selected by one AFL coach because he rated them as the dominant key forwards and midfielder.
And one coach, who picked Ablett, Franklin and Cox, explained his choice pithily: "Because they're good."
The 2009 afl.com.au Coaches Survey was conducted anonymously, with thanks to the AFL Coaches Association. Check back each day this week for more responses.
