A trio of Colingwood players have been awarded four AFLCA votes apiece for their performances in the Magpies’ four-point loss to Melbourne on Monday.

Defender Jeremy Howe and midfielders Steele Sidebottom and Adam Treloar were amongst Nathan Buckley and Simon Goodwin’s best afield in what has been branded as a ‘classic’ Queen’s Birthday contest.

Melbourne youngster Christian Petracca was the recipient of a perfect ten votes after he inspired his Demons to a second half comeback with 18 disposals and three goals.

Fellow midfielders Clayton Oliver and Nathan Jones caught the eyes of the coaches with four and three votes respectively, while defender Michael Hibberd polled a single vote for his new club.

For the Magpies, Sidebottom was the most productive, accounting for 32 possessions, eight marks, four clearances, four tackles, three inside 50s and two goals on a busy day out for the vice-captain.

His colleague Treloar continued his impressive vein of form with 28 disposals, six tackles, 10 running bounces, seven inside 50s and one goal.

And against his former side, 26-year-old Howe – in his second season at the Magpies – did a little bit of everything in a performance that has everyone talking.

Alongside his 22 disposals, three rebound 50s, three tackles and six one percenters were his 10 marks, including five contested.

Oh, and then there was THAT mark. You know the one we’re talking about.

Having competed on the field – and ironically in the coaches votes – against each other, even Howe’s former teammate was impressed by the high-flyer’s latest feat.

“I think that’s probably the biggest and best I’ve seen from him,” Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones said on SEN Radio this week.

“That was enormous…gee he got a ride.”


Despite not polling in the final votes, Collingwood youngsters Brayden Maynard and Tim Broomhead impressed on the big stage.

Maynard produced one of his best performances of his young career, with 23 disposals and 10 marks, while South-Australian Broomhead was lively with 23 touches of his own and five tackles.

The loss leaves Collingwood at 11th on the AFL ladder at their halfway mark of the season.

The Magpies face Port Adelaide after their bye at the MCG.

AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION CHAMPION PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ROUND 12 – COLLINGWOOD V MELBOURNE

10. Christian Petracca (Melb)
4. Jeremy Howe (Coll)
4. Steele Sidebottom
4. Clayton Oliver
4. Adam Treloar
3. Nathan Jones
1. Michael Hibberd

OVERALL LEADER BOARD AFTER ROUND 12

56. Joel Selwood (Geelong)
55. Elliot Yeo (West Coast)
53. Dustin Martin (Richmond)
53. Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
50. Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
47. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
46. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
46. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
41. Josh Kelly (GWS)
41. Zach Merrett (Essendon)