Sydney Swans skipper Josh Kennedy has surged into the top ten of this year’s AFL Coaches Association’s Champion Player of the Year Award after picking up a perfect 10 votes against Essendon on Friday night.

In one of the game’s of the season, Kennedy was a colossus in the midfield, picking up 36 disposals, seven clearances, five marks and three tackles in his side’s come-from-behind one-point victory.

Young gun Isaac Heeney (four votes) has continued his fine season after missing the first four rounds with glandular fever, kicking two goals to go with his 21 disposals and nine tackles.

Veteran Heath Grundy, who played another crucial role in defence and was influential in the dying stages of the match, picked up three votes, while fellow defender Callum Mills received one vote for his efforts.

For the Bombers, midfield duo Zach Merrett (seven votes) and Michael Hurley (five) were rewarded for the impact they had for the visitors.

Leading this year’s award is Richmond’s Dustin Martin on 63 votes, just ahead of Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield (62) and West Coast’s Elliot Yeo (57).

AFLCA Champion Player of the Year – Round 14
10 – Josh Kennedy
7 – Zach Merrett
5 – Michael Hurley
4 – Isaac Heeney
3 – Heath Grundy
1 – Callum Mills

2017 Leaderboard
63 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)
62 – Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
57 – Elliot Yeo (West Coast)
56 – Joel Selwood (Geelong)
53 – Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
50 – Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
48 – Zach Merrett (Essendon)
48 – Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
46 – Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
43 – Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
43 – Alex Rance (Richmond)