Jye Chalcraft has taken out the Cats VFL Best and Fairest for the second straight year, following another outstanding campaign in 2023. 

Chalcraft starred in his third season with Geelong, featuring in all 18 games while polling a club best 163 votes across the Smithy’s VFL Season. 

Averaging 22 disposals per game, the tough midfielder picked up a season high 33 possessions in the round six win over Coburg. 

Chalcraft also added another layer to his game this season, developing his craft as a small forward and kicking 16 goals in 2023. 

Joining the Cats in 2021, the young gun has been nothing but impressive since pulling on the blue and white hoops, winning the 2022 VFL best and fairest by 20 votes. 

VFL vice captain, Daniel Capiron claimed second place in the best and fairest with 156 votes across the 2023 season. 

Capiron’s intercept marking across half back was a highlight for the Cats this year, averaging over six marks a game while eclipsing 20 disposals on four different occasions. 

The star defender also finished in the top five in the 2022 VFL best and fairest, marking another consistent season from the vice captain. 

Ted Clohesy claimed third place with 147 votes, finishing as the highest ranked AFL listed player following an excellent season. 

Clohesy joined the Cats list after coming through the club’s Next Generation Academy, being rewarded for his strong VFL form with an AFL debut in the final round of the season. 

The tough forward hit the scoreboard in 10 games this season, while also impressing with his pressure after averaging over five tackles per game. 

Bailey Van de Heuvel finished in fourth spot with 145 votes, while AFL listed Cats Mitch Knevitt and Ollie Dempsey shared fifth place on 132 votes.

Marcus Herbert and Ben Lloyd capped off strong seasons by sharing seventh place, while Brandan Parfitt and Cooper Whyte rounded out the top ten. 

Mace Cousins has been awarded the Little Vic award, for the best first year player in the Cats VFL team following an impressive debut season in the blue and white. 

The award has been named in memory of long serving Geelong volunteer, Vic Fuller. 

Geelong’s 2023 VFL Best & Fairest Top 10

1st Jye Chalcraft – 163 Votes
2nd Daniel Capiron – 156 Votes
3rd Ted Clohesy – 147 Votes
4th Bailey Van de Heuvel – 145 Votes
5th  Mitch Knevitt – 132 Votes
5th Oliver Dempsey – 132 Votes
7th Marcus Herbert – 127 Votes
7th Ben Lloyd – 127 Votes
9th Brandan Parfitt – 108 Votes
10th Cooper Whyte – 106 Votes

Little Vic Award: Mace Cousins