There were only two Magpies who polled votes in the AFL Coaches Association (AFLCA) Champion Player of the Year in Saturday night’s loss to Brisbane.
In his first career-match with over 30 possessions (34), Dale Thomas received four votes for his performance. The 22-year-old used the ball with 76% efficiency for the match while adding one goal and taking 12 marks.
Vice-captain Scott Pendlebury polled votes (two) for the fifth game of the season taking his season tally to 16.
Leading the way for the match with nine votes was Brisbane’s Daniel Rich, who had 28 possessions and two goals.
In the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year, head coaches vote each week on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis. Coaches vote only on their own matches, but may vote for players on the opposing team.
Past winners of the prestigious award include Gary Ablett Jnr (2007-09), Simon Goodwin and Adam Goodes (joint winners in 2006), Barry Hall (2005) and Warren Tredrea (2004).
Brisbane v Collingwood voting
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Daniel Rich | Bris |
| 7 | Luke Power | Bris |
| 4 | Brent Staker | Bris |
| 4 | Dale Thomas | Coll |
| 3 | Simon Black | Bris |
| 2 | Scott Pendlebury | Coll |
| 1 | Travis Johnstone | Bris |
Collingwood leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year (number of matches the player polled)
| Votes | Player |
|---|---|
| 32 | Dane Swan (6) |
| 25 | Luke Ball (5) |
| 18 | Heath Shaw (3) |
| 18 | Alan Didak (5) |
| 16 | Travis Cloke (3) |
| 16 | Dayne Beams (3) |
| 16 | Scott Pendlebury (5) |
| 13 | Dale Thomas (3) |
| 9 | Steele Sidebottom (2) |
| 7 | Sharrod Wellingham (3) |
| 6 | Harry O'Brien (1) |
| 3 | Nick Maxwell (1) |
Leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Matthew Pavlich | Fremantle |
| 46 | Aaron Sandilands | Fremantle |
| 43 | Luke Hodge | Hawthorn |
| 37 | Gary Ablett | Geelong |
| 37 | Lenny Hayes | St Kilda |
| 37 | Chris Judd | Carlton |
| 36 | David Mundy | Fremantle |
| 34 | Paul Chapman | Geelong |
| 33 | Joel Selwood | Geelong |
| 32 | Dane Swan | Collingwood |
