Bailey Smith has been adjudged the best player on the ground by the coaches, receiving a perfect 10 votes for his performance against Fremantle in round one. 

In his first AFL match for the Cats, Smith was sensational finishing the day with 32 disposals, seven clearances and a game high 12 score involvements. 

Geelong's new recruit put the cherry on top late in the final quarter, pushing forward to kick a goal as the Cats stormed to a 78 point win. 

Jack Henry, Max Holmes and Sam De Koning all received four coaches votes for their influential performances against the Dockers. 

Henry (24 disposals, 14 marks, 11 intercept possessions) was brilliant in defence, Holmes (24 disposals, seven clearances, two goals) provided valuable run and carry, while De Koning (25 disposals, one goal) competed strongly in the ruck. 

Shannon Neale received three votes for his impressive game, dishing off four direct goal assists and booting one of his own while also taking three contested marks. 

Rounding out the votes was Jeremy Cameron (15 disposals, four goals) and Patrick Dangerfield (12 disposals, two goals) who both received one vote from the coaches. 

The AFL Coaches Association’s AFL Champion Player Award is an award voted by the 18 coaching panels on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort by an individual player in a season.

Geelong v Fremantle - Round One Coaches Votes