For the third time in as many years, the Morrish Medal has been shared between two players after Tasmania's Colby McKercher and Geelong's Patrick Hughes split the award for 2023.

The teenage duo each polled 18 votes to land two votes ahead of GWV Rebels talent George Stevens, while potential top five draft prospect Zane Duursma finished in fourth with 15 votes following his strong season with Gippsland.

McKercher's spot equally atop the standings comes despite playing just eight Coates Talent League games this year, with Hughes having played 13 games in what was a consistent season with the Falcons.

Hughes is the first Geelong player to win the Morrish Medal in a decade, while McKerhcer follows fellow Tasmanian Lachie Cowan to see the Tigers claim the award in successive seasons.

Both McKercher and Hughes would secure spots in the Coates Talent League Boys Team of the Year for 2023, with Duursma, Stevens and top draft names Harley Reid, Riley Sanders and Connor O'Sullivan also earning selections.

The 24-player team also consisted of two bottom-age players in Sandringham's Levi Ashcroft and Oakleigh's Finn O'Sullivan.

The Geelong Falcons also took out the Coates Talent League Girls Best and Fairest with Sara Howley polling 21 votes - three ahead of Oakleigh's Abbey Vicino

Howley averaged 33 disposals and one goal across her impressive 2023 campaign with Geelong. She would be named in midfield of the Girls Team of the Year alongside the likes of Eastern Ranges talent Jess Vukic and Calder Cannons' Chloe Baker-West.

MORRISH MEDAL (COATES TALENT LEAGUE BOYS BEST AND FAIREST)
1st: Patrick Hughes (Geelong Falcons) โ€“ 18 votes
1st: Colby McKercher (Tasmania Devils) โ€“ 18 votes
3rd: George Stevens (GWV Rebels) โ€“ 16 votes
4th: Zane Duursma (Gippsland Power) โ€“ 15 votes
5th: Kristian Ferronato (Northern Knights) โ€“ 14 votes
6th: Billy Wilson (Dandenong Stingrays) โ€“ 13 votes
7th: Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) โ€“ 12 votes
7th: Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) โ€“ 12 votes
9th: Nate Caddy (Northern Knights) โ€“ 10 votes
9th: Darcy Wilson (Murray Bushrangers) โ€“ 10 votes

COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS BEST AND FAIREST
1st: Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) โ€“ 21 votes
2nd: Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers) โ€“ 18 votes
3rd: Jade McLay (Calder Cannons) โ€“ 14 votes
4th: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) โ€“ 12 votes
5th: Kiera Leare (Western Jets) โ€“ 11 votes
5th: Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges) โ€“ 11 votes
5th: Jessica Rentsch (GWV Rebels) โ€“ 11 votes
8th: Elli Symonds (Dandenong Stingrays ) โ€“ 10 votes
8th: Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays) โ€“ 10 votes
10th: Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) โ€“ 9 votes
10th: Ava Jordan (Northern Knights) โ€“ 9 votes

COATES TALENT LEAGUE BOYS PERSONAL GROWTH AWARD
Joeve Cooper (Murray Bushrangers)
Other finalists:ย Joshua Goldie (Eastern Ranges) and Ben Parker (Western Jets)

COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS PERSONAL GROWTH AWARD
Suwindi Buckley (Northern Knights)
Other finalists:ย Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels) and Jorja Jackson (Oakleigh Chargers)

COATES TALENT LEAGUE BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR

COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR