JOBEWatson was widely regarded as the most influential performer in Essendon's victoryover West Coast at Patersons Stadium last Thursday night, after anotherturbulent week for the Bombers skipper and his club.
Butthe coaches disagreed, instead awarding best-on-ground honours to Eaglesmidfielder Matt Priddis.
Priddis,who amassed a game-high 33 possessions (13 contested) and nine clearances,received nine votes, while Watson's 29 touches (10 contested), seven clearances,eight inside-50s and two goals earned eight votes.
Watsonis now equal third in the AFL Coaches' Association champion player award with 54votes, behind only leader Gary Ablett (75) and Adelaide star PatrickDangerfield (57), both of whom were in the votes in round 14.
Perhapsthe most significant development in the coaches' votes was the recognition of JackWatts, Melbourne's much-maligned forward hope, as best afield in his side's nail-bitingwin over the Western Bulldogs.
Demonsteammate James Frawley was adjudged next best, while Bulldogs star Ryan Griffen'sseven votes saw him leap to equal sixth.
NorthMelbourne utility Lachie Hansen, another player who has tested the patience offans, was deemed equal second-best afield in the win over Greater WesternSydney.
YoungGold Coast midfielders Dion Prestia (10) and Jaeger O'Meara (six) – the latterbeing tipped for greatness by greats Tim Watson and Robert Walls – once againshowed their ability not only to relieve pressure from Ablett but display superbleadership qualities in their loss to Adelaide.
PortAdelaide teenager Ollie Wines was in the votes after producing a phenomenal15-possession final quarter in the Power's rout of Collingwood. Teammates BradEbert (10) and Matthew Broadbent (eight) were most prominent, while ChadWingard (three) returned to the top 10 in the award.
SydneySwans boom recruit Kurt Tippett (two votes) came under notice in just hissecond game for his new club, starring in the win over Carlton. Teammate CraigBird received the maximum 10 votes after gathering a career-high 33possessions.
Hawthorn star Jarryd Roughead (nine) continued to upstage high-priced teammateLance Franklin, who went voteless in the win over the Brisbane Lions.
West Coast v Essendon
9 Matt Priddis(WCE)
8 Jobe Watson (Ess)
4 Jason Winderlich (Ess)
3 Jake Melksham (Ess)
2 Mark Le Cras (WCE)
2 Patrick Ryder (Ess)
1 Jake Carlisle (Ess)
1 Andrew Gaff (WCE)
Sydney Swans v Carlton
10 Craig Bird (Syd)
6 Lachie Henderson (Carl)
5 Ryan O'Keefe (Syd)
5 Luke Parker (Syd)
2 Kade Simpson (Carl)
2 Kurt Tippett (Syd)
Gold Coast v Adelaide
10 Dion Prestia (GC)
7 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
6 Jaeger O'Meara (GC)
3 Matthew Wright (Adel)
2 Gary Ablett (GC)
1 Brad Crouch (Adel)
1 Brodie Smith (Adel)
Port Adelaide v Collingwood
10 Brad Ebert (Port)
8 Matthew Broadbent (Port)
3 Justin Westhoff (Port)
3 Chad Wingard (Port)
2 Alipate Carlile (Port)
2 Oliver Wines (Port)
1 Kane Cornes (Port)
1 Paul Seedsman (Coll)
Geelong v Fremantle
10 Allen Christensen (Geel)
8 Harry Taylor (Geel)
3 Joel Corey (Geel)
3 Mathew Stokes (Geel)
2 Ryan Crowley (Frem)
2 Mitch Duncan (Geel)
1 Corey Enright (Geel)
1 Taylor Hunt (Geel)
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
9 Jack Watts (Melb)
8 James Frawley (Melb)
7 Ryan Griffen (WB)
3 Nathan Jones (Melb)
3 Tom Liberatore (WB)
Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions
9 Jarryd Roughead (Haw)
6 Shane Savage (Haw)
5 Josh Gibson (Haw)
5 Sam Mitchell (Haw)
3 Brad Sewell (Haw)
2 Luke Breust (Haw)
North Melbourne v GWS Giants
9 Drew Petrie (NM)
5 Lachlan Hansen (NM)
5 Brent Harvey (NM)
4 Scott Thompson (NM)
3 Sam Gibson (NM)
2 Ryan Bastinac (NM)
1 Lindsay Thomas (NM)
1 Daniel Wells (NM)
Richmond v St Kilda
10 Daniel Jackson (Rich)
7 Ty Vickery (Rich)
6 Reece Conca (Rich)
4 Nathan Foley (Rich)
2 Alex Rance (Rich)
1 Jack Riewoldt (Rich)
LEADERBOARD
75 Gary Ablett (GC)
57 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
54 Daniel Hannebery (Syd)
54 Jobe Watson (Ess)
53 Kieren Jack (Syd)
46 Ryan Griffen (WB)
46 Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
43 Nathan Fyfe (Frem)
40 Jarryd Roughead (Haw)
40 Chad Wingard (Port)
Ben Collins is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him onTwitter: @AFL_BenCollins
