Sydney gun Isaac Heeney was awarded a maximum of 10 votes for his preliminary final performance against Port Adelaide and has claimed the lead heading into the 2024 AFL Grand Final.
The Swans were dominant over the Power, and the allocation of votes reflected that, as the coaches awarded six Sydney players with the chocolates.
The following night saw a gutsy win from Brisbane over Geelong at the MCG by 10 points.
Two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale was given nine votes for his clearance spectacle, recording 12 (six more than any other player).
Unheralded Lion Ryan Lester also heaped praise from the coaches, while Zac Bailey (four votes), Josh Dunkley (three), Hugh McCluggage (one), and Dayne Zorko (one) were noted performers.
It wasn't all bad news for the Cats, with lively forwards Oliver Henry (four votes) and Gryan Miers (three) recognised for their efforts.
Heading into the final match of the 2024 season means only Sydney and Brisbane players can poll and subsequently claim the Gary Ayres Award for best finals player.
Heeney is likely to claim the award as he sits five ahead of Zorko and Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe, who won't feature this weekend.
Neale's near-perfect game puts him seven behind the Swans midfielder, and he will need to replicate his performance from Saturday evening to help secure the award and perhaps that elusive premiership.
Votes in the grand final are worth 1.5x the regular voting system, meaning there are 11 players who could finish tied with or ahead of Heeney's leading total this time next week.
Sydney vs Port Adelaide
10 - Isaac Heeney (SYD)
6 - Chad Warner (SYD)
6 - Oliver Florent (SYD)
4 - Errol Gulden (SYD)
2 - Nick Blakey (SYD)
2 - Joel Amartey (SYD)
Geelong vs Brisbane
9 - Lachie Neale (BL)
5 - Ryan Lester (BL)
4 - Zac Bailey (BL)
4 - Oliver Henry (GEEL)
3 - Gryan Miers (GEEL)
3 - Josh Dunkley (BL)
1 - Hugh McCluggage (BL)
1 - Dayne Zorko (BL)
2024 Gary Ayres LEADERBOARD
| Votes | Player | Club |
| 20 | Isaac Heeney | SYD |
| 15 | Dayne Zorko | BL |
| 15 | Jai Newcombe | HAW |
| 13 | Lachie Neale | BL |
| 10 | Max Holmes | GEEL |
| 10 | Jase Burgoyne | PORT |
| 9 | Hugh McCluggage | BL |
| 7 | Jesse Hogan | GWS |
| 7 | Shaun Mannagh | GEEL |
| 7 | Tom Green | GWS |
| 6 | Cameron Rayner | BL |
| 6 | James Sicily | HAW |
| 6 | Chad Warner | SYD |
| 6 | Oliver Florent | SYD |
| 5 | Callum Ah Chee | BL |
| 5 | Will Ashcroft | BL |
| 5 | Jarrod Berry | BL |
| 5 | Jake Lloyd | SYD |
| 5 | Jordon Sweet | PORT |
| 5 | Ryan Lester | BL |
