Essendon senior coach Ben Rutten and his Hawthorn counterpart Alastair Clarkson have awarded Jake Stringer a maximum 10 votes for round 14 in the AFL Coaches Association's AFL Champion Player Award.
Stringer was at his scintillating best in the Bombers' 13-point win over the Hawks at UTAS Stadium on Sunday, relishing more time in midfield to record an equal career-high 29 disposals and game-highs in goals (four), inside 50s (10), score involvements (12) and contested possessions (18).
He also became the first Bomber since James Hird in 1996 to surpass 25 disposals with at least four goals in a game against Hawthorn.
Young ruckman Sam Draper was considered next best in the coaches' eyes, collecting eight votes for his commanding return.
The 22-year-old showed no ill-effects from the syndesmosis injury suffered in round two, collecting 15 disposals, six marks, 18 hitouts and a customary Gatorade shower for his first win in the red and black.
Defenders Jordan Ridley (25 disposals, 10 intercepts) and Nick Hind (25 disposals, 745 metres gained, one goal) rounded out the Bombers contingent with three votes and two respectively.
AFLCA VOTES: HAWKS v BOMBERS
10 - Jake Stringer (ESS)
8 - Sam Draper (ESS)
4 - Tom Mitchell (HAW)
3 - Jordan Ridley (ESS)
2 - Nick Hind (ESS), Luke Breust (HAW)
1 - Jaeger O'Meara (HAW)
ESSENDON'S AFLCA VOTES THIS SEASON
55 - Darcy Parish
48 - Zach Merrett
15 - Andrew McGrath, Jake Stringer
14 - Jordan Ridley
11 - Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
8 - Cale Hooker, Sam Draper
7 - Peter Wright
6 - Jayden Laverde
5 - Dyson Heppell
2 - Mason Redman, Will Snelling, Nick Hind
1 - Archie Perkins
OVERALL LEADERBOARD
68 - Clayton Oliver (MELB)
66 - Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
60 - Ollie Wines (PA)
55 - Darcy Parish (ESS), Hugh McCluggage (BL)
