ADAM SAAD has been acknowledged by the coaches for his performance against St Kilda on Friday night. 

Picking up four votes from Brett Ratten and Michael Voss, Saad was the highest polling player for Carlton in their 15-point loss. 

Saad stuffed the stat sheet at Marvel Stadium, picking up 25 disposals (13 contested), 13 intercepts, six score involvements and gaining 456 metres. His presence in the defensive half was a bright spark for the Blues in a tough game on a night where the synonymous Carlton "Woof!" returned in the stands. 

Patrick Cripps also picked up a singular vote for his comprehensive performance. 

As well as his 31 disposals, the captain managed 19 contested possessions, nine score involvements, eight clearances (five centre clearances), and was his typical physical self in his attempts to will Carlton over the line.

Cripps now sits seventh on the AFL Coaches Association’s AFL Champion Player Award leaderboard with 60 votes. 

Round 16 votes 

10 - Jack Sinclair (STK)
6 - Paddy Ryder (STK)
5 - Tim Membrey (STK)
4 - Jade Gresham (STK)
4 - Adam Saad (CARL)
1 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)