Zach Merrett earns one of his 37 disposals against the Eagles. (Photo: AFL Photos)

Star midfielders Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish have earned nine votes each in the AFL Coaches Association's AFL Champion Player Award for their best-on-ground performances against West Coast on Saturday night.

Merrett (37 disposals, eight inside 50s) and Parish (36 disposals, 11 clearances) played a crucial part in the Bombers becoming the first side to defeat the Eagles at Optus Stadium this season.

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Rd 11 | Performance of the Week

Midfielder Zach Merrett takes the honours as the Yakult Performance of the Week for his match against the Eagles in round 11.

It's the third consecutive week Parish has topped the voting, with the star midfielder collecting a whopping 40 votes from his past five games to move into equal fourth overall - two spots ahead of Merrett.

The Bombers kept the high-scoring Eagles to just 11 goals, with defenders Dyson Heppell and Jayden Laverde earning the plaudits with three votes apiece.

Cale Hooker (two votes) rounded out the Essendon contingent, leading the way in attack with two goals and a game-high nine score involvements.

AFLCA VOTES: EAGLES v BOMBERS

9 - Darcy Parish (ESS)
9 - Zach Merrett (ESS)
3 - Dyson Heppell (ESS)
3 - Jayden Laverde (ESS)
2 - Cale Hooker (ESS)
2 - Nic Naitanui (WCE)
1 - Josh Rotham (WCE)
1 - Dom Sheed (WCE)

ESSENDON'S AFLCA VOTES THIS SEASON

47 - Darcy Parish
45 - Zach Merrett
15 - Andrew McGrath
11 - Jordan Ridley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
8 - Cale Hooker
7 - Peter Wright
6 - Jayden Laverde
5 - Jake Stringer, Dyson Heppell
2 - Mason Redman, Will Snelling
1 - Archie Perkins

OVERALL LEADERBOARD

61 - Clayton Oliver (MELB)
50 - Marcus Bontempelli (WB), Hugh McCluggage (BL)
47 - Darcy Parish (ESS), Touk Miller (GC)
46 - Ollie Wines (PA)
45 - Zach Merrett (ESS)