Isaac Heeney is leading the Gary Ayres Award after polling the top votes in a star-studded performance on Friday night.

The midfielder earned 10 votes for his role in the Preliminary Final after polling another 10 votes in the Qualifying Final. Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe trails on 15, while Brisbane's Lachie Neale sits on 13. 

06:47

Highlights: Sydney v Port Adelaide

The Swans and Power clash in the first preliminary final

Young gun Chad Warner and defender Oliver Florent earned six votes each. Warner finished the match with 21 disposals and two goals, while Florent managed 23 disposals and six score involvements. 

Errol Gulden closely followed with four votes, along with Nick Blakey and Joel Amartey on two votes each. 

VOTES PLAYER (CLUB)

10 Isaac Heeney (SYD)
6 Chad Warner (SYD)
6 Oliver Florent (SYD)
4 Errol Gulden (SYD)
2 Nick Blakey (SYD)
2 Joel Amartey (SYD)

Click here for the full leaderboard.

After a 36-point win over Port Adelaide on Friday night the Swans progress to the Grand Final where they'll face the Brisbane Lions at the MCG. Visit the Finals Hub for everything happening in Grand Final Week. 

Watch all the Preliminary Final highlights

  • 00:46

    Goal of the Week - Preliminary Final

    An incredible tackle from Joel leads to a huge goal from The Chad.

    AFL
    Goal of the Week
  • 00:21

    Mark of the Week - Preliminary Final

    How about the hands from Tommy?? Mark of the Week, presented by QATAR Airways

    AFL
    Mark of the Week
  • 11:38

    Full post-match, Preliminary Final: Swans

    Watch Sydney’s press conference after their Preliminary Final against Port Adelaide

    AFL
  • 01:32

    Chad Warner's reaction to making the 2024 AFL Grand Final

    Hear from Swans star Chad Warner after we booked our place in the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

    AFL
  • 00:24

    Team Song: Sydney

    Watch the Swans celebrate their Preliminary Final win

    AFL
  • 06:47

    Highlights: Sydney v Port Adelaide

    The Swans and Power clash in the first preliminary final

    AFL
  • 00:41

    Heeney brings it home as Grand Final awaits

    Isaac Heeney hammers through the dagger as Sydney looks primed and ready for the big stage

    AFL
  • 00:39

    Hand it to Chad and he’ll conjure magic

    Chad Warner electrifies the Swans faithful after half-time with a stunning effort from distance

    AFL
  • 00:59

    Pumped-up Papley sparks siren scuffle

    Tom Papley nails a priceless goal after the quarter-time siren and wastes no time getting stuck into Willie Rioli and the Power

    AFL
  • 00:38

    McDonald has his say after frantic play

    Logan McDonald conjures a neat snap after a couple of ferocious tackles

    AFL
  • 05:24

    Rampe 250: Resilience personified

    We sat down with Dane Rampe ahead of his 250th game in the red and white, becoming 13th player in club history to reach the milestone.

    AFL
    Features

The AFL Coaches Association Gary Ayres Award is presented in recognition of the player who has been adjudged as the best player throughout the AFL Finals series, as voted by the coaches on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the AFL Finals Series. 

Votes are issued after every game of the AFL Finals series by the competing coaches, with each coach providing their 5-4-3-2-1 for the match. 

From 2022 any AFL Grand Final votes issued will receive 1.5 times loading.

ABOUT GARY AYRES

Gary Ayres was a member of 5 Hawthorn premiership teams – 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1991 and is a two time Norm Smith Medallist, adjudged best on ground in 1986 and 1988.

Ayres coached 223 AFL games between 1995 and 2004: 116 with Geelong and 107 with Adelaide.