Zach Merrett starred in Essendon’s strong win over Port Adelaide, earning a game-high eight votes in the coaches' votes. The captain led from the front with his clean ball use gather 34 disposals, gaining 477 metres.

Sam Durham was also influential, picking up seven votes for his hard-running and impact around the ground with a season-high 28 disposals, 12 score involvements and 14 contested possessions.

Xavier Duursma earned six votes, providing valuable work up and down the ground gathering 10 score involvements from his 29 disposals.

Dylan Shiel rounded out the voting with two for his drive from stoppages after a move back into the midfield. Here he gained a match-high 709 metres gained from 25 disposals.

Essendon v Port Adelaide

8 Zach Merrett (ESS)
7 Sam Durham (ESS)
6 Xavier Duursma (ESS)
4 Jase Burgoyne (PORT)
3 Ollie Wines (PORT)
2 Dylan Shiel (ESS)

Every week, the two senior coaches for each game give votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, meaning 10 votes is the maximum a player can receive in each round.

The player with the most votes at the end of the home and away season will be crowned the AFL Coaches' Association Champion Player of the Year.