There was no doubt in Mark Thompson and Brendon McCartney’s mind following Essendon’s seven point win over the Western Bulldogs in the Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year with Jake Carlisle awarded the full 10 votes.
The 22-year-old put on a stunning display as he tore the Bulldog defence to shreds booting a career-high eight goals along with 12 marks, 19 disposals and seven tackles.
It was a performance that even surprised the man who has arguably invested the most into the developing talent.
“I didn’t know he was capable of this,” Mark Thompson admitted after the match.
“Without him we wouldn’t have won, would we? We would have been in a lot of trouble.”
Western Bulldog young-gun Jake Stringer also gained eight votes for his staring role in their forward half, kicking five goals from just 10 possessions.
It’s the first time the Bombers have three matches in a row this season, consolidating their position in the top eight ahead of the second half of round 18.
View the full votes from the Bombers win over the Dogs below, along with the leader board with four matches remaining in the split round.
Round 18- Western Bulldogs vs. Essendon votes:
10- Jake Carlisle (Essendon)
8- Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs)
4- Jackson Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
3- Patrick Ryder (Essendon)
2- Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
2- Dyson Heppell (Essendon)
1- Michael Hurley (Essendon)
AFLCA Player of the Year Leader Board- Round 18 (first half):
83- Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
76- Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
76- Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
72- Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
60- Lance Franklin (Sydney)
59- Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
57- Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
57- Joel Selwood (Geelong)
52- Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)
50- Dyson Heppell (Essendon)
