Saturday afternoon’s win over West Coast has seen four Gold Coast players poll votes in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award for round eleven.
Gary Ablett was voted equal best on ground, with the coaches awarding him and Eagles utility Elliot Yeo eight votes apiece.
The former skipper racked up 36 disposals, including 16 contested possessions, and eight inside 50s as he had a big impact on proceedings.
Ablett has polled votes six times this season, with his performance on Saturday cementing his place in the top ten on the competition leaderboard.
Recruit Pearce Hanley had his best game so far in SUNS colours and was rewarded with seven votes from the coaches.
The Irishman provided plenty of run and dash from the backline as he gathered 31 disposals and 12 uncontested marks.
His six inside 50s, demonstrated his ability to hit a target and make good decisions, which will be a key asset for the SUNS as he works his way into top form.
Captains Steven May (3 votes) and Tom Lynch (1 vote) were the other Gold Coast players to poll, with the leaders having an impact on the game at opposite ends of the field.
With young defender Jack Leslie taking the Eagles’ best forward, May was freed up to play more of an attacking role off as he took eight marks and had five rebound 50s.
Lynch finished with 3 goals, but it was his work rate around the ground which was key.
GOLD COAST v WEST COAST EAGLES
8 Gary Ablett (GCS)
8 Elliot Yeo (WCE)
7 Pearce Hanley (GCS)
3 Steven May (GCS)
2 Dom Sheed (WCE)
1 Tom Lynch (GCS)
1 Drew Petrie (WCE)
AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Leaderboard
56 Joel Selwood (Geel)
55 Elliot Yeo (WC)
53 Dustin Martin (Rich)
53 Rory Sloane (Adel)
47 Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)
46 Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
42 Clayton Oliver (Melb)
41 Josh Kelly (GWS)
40 Gary Ablett (GCS)
36 Taylor Adams (Coll)
SUNS Leaderboard
40 Gary Ablett
16 Tom Lynch
12 Aaron Hall
12 David Swallow
8 Brandon Matera
7 Pearce Hanley
7 Jack Martin
7 Touk Miller
7 Steven May
6 Jarrod Harbrow
6 Jarrod Witts
2 Jack Leslie
