THE COACHES’ votes are in after Carlton’s 36-point win over GWS yesterday.

Adam Saad topped the table for the Blues, polling eight votes after a brilliant performance where he dominated down back, thwarting opposition attacks and launching his team’s own.

Saad was nominated for the AFLMark of the Year for his hanger over James Peatling: he also recorded eight intercepts and 581 metres gained in a showing where he operated at 92 per cent disposal efficiency.

Next up in the votes were two trusty midfielders: Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.

Both received six votes for their bullish midfield games, with Cripps totalling 34 disposals, 10 contested possessions, six inside 50s and a goal.

As for Walsh, the reigning John Nicholls Medal overcame an injury scare to break the game open, picking up 11 disposals in the third quarter alone (31 for the game).

Cripps sits sixth on the AFL Coaches Association’s AFL Champion Player Award leaderboard with 71 votes, while Walsh sits 10th on 54 votes.

The twin towers of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay once again did the damage, polling four and three votes respectively.

As reliable and unselfish as ever in the forward line, Curnow slotted four goals, with his contested marking (three for the match) the highlight of his game.

He recorded nine score involvements, just one behind teammate McKay, who picked up a game-high 10 score involvements.

While the goalpost thwarted McKay from matching Curnow’s goal tally, the reigning Coleman Medallist was a constant outlet for his teammates, providing an imposing target in the Blues’ offensive chains.

Round 19 votes:
8 - Adam Saad (CARL)
6 - Patrick Cripps (CARL)
6 - Sam Walsh (CARL)
4 - Charlie Curnow (CARL)
3 - Harry McKay (CARL)
2 - Toby Greene (GWS)
1 - Harry Himmelberg (GWS)