A MAKESHIFT ruck was the best-on-ground Blue, while two of the season’s best continued to poll.

There was a significant navy flavour to the Round 20 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award votes following Carlton’s 31-point triumph over St Kilda.

At the top of the pile was Jack Silvagni, who received nine votes for his outstanding role in the ruck.

Tasked with playing a lone hand as an undersized tall following the injury to Tom De Koning, Silvagni laid it all on the line and came out with an exemplary showing.

Collecting 25 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances, Silvagni effectively played as an extra midfielder and produced a man-of-the match display against St Kilda gun Rowan Marshall.

Silvagni wasn’t alone of course, as one of five Blues to poll on Friday night.

Sam Walsh increased his 2021 tally to 90 on the back of a seven-vote performance, propelling him to third position on the leaderboard.

Having a career-best night in front of the big sticks with three goals, Walsh was - once again - everywhere, covering more ground than anyone else on the way to 26 disposals.

Harry McKay matched Walsh’s performance with seven votes, with the Coleman Medal leader kicking five goals in his return from a toe injury.

With three rounds remaining, McKay now leads the race for the competition’s leading goalkicker by nine majors.

Co-captain Patrick Cripps picked up two votes for a typically combative performance (26 disposals at 81 per efficiency, six tackles), while Jacob Weitering recovered from a slow start to nullify Max King for three quarters on the way to receiving a solitary vote.

AFLCA votes for Round 20

Jack Silvagni — nine, Harry McKay — seven, Sam Walsh — seven, Jack Steele — five, Patrick Cripps — two, Jacob Weitering — one