After 207 home and away games, Tuesday night brought with it an opportunity to recognise the greatness displayed by the game's best in 2026.
The AFLCA and AFLPA handed down their most prestigious honours, while the recipients of Coleman Medal, Rising Star and All-Australian Blazers were also duly recognised.
AFL AWARD RECIPIENTS
AFLCA Awards
AFL Coaches Association Best Emerging Player
St Kilda's Max Hall and Fremantle's Murphy Reid have split the AFLCA's Best Emerging Player Award
Reid was a pivotal force in Fremantle's minor premiership campaign, averaging more than 23 disposals, four inside 50s, two clearances and a sublime seven score involvements per game, in his second season. Reid is one of eight Dockers to be included in the initial All-Australian squad.
Max Hall's cinderella story continues with his recognition alongside Reid. After injury necessitated a longer journey to the top level. In his second season with the Saints, Hall averaged 23 disposals, four clearances, nine contested possessions and a goal a game.
AFL Coaches Association Defensive Player of the Year
St Kilda co-captain Callum Wilkie is the inaugural AFLCA Defensive Player of the Year, beating out the other finalists, in Brisbane's Harris Andrews and Sydney's Tom McCartin.
Wilkie has not missed a game since his 2019 debut, and this season, averaged 22 disposals and nine marks while posting an exemplary 20.3% contested defensive one-on-one loss percentage.
Wilkie garnered 42 votes, while the aforementioned Harris Andrews, Tom McCartin and emerging Cat Connor O'Sullivan tied for second, with 30 votes.
AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year
Collingwood's Nick Daicos has begun what is certain to be a glittering sweep of the major awards, receiving a second AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award with 147 votes, shattering Dustin Martin's 2017 record for votes in a season (122), in the process.
The 23-year-old son of a gun averaged 34.9 disposals and more than a goal a game, as his personal game went from strength to strength in his fifth season in the league. Daicos also led the league in score involvements, and will be looking to be in the midst of everything once again as he and his side eye a second flag in four seasons.
Coleman Medal
“King Charles” was lured to the Harbour City to materially impact the club's premiership aspirations, and he couldn't have done much more, leading the league's goalkicking in his first season in the red and white.
Though the club's premiership chances took a hammering in recent weeks, Curnow lived up to his extensive billing, quashing criticisms of his ability to impact in big games, in the process. His bag against Fremantle on the road in Round 18 saw him take the lead in the Coleman Medal race - a race he eventually won in a canter.
AFLPA Awards
AFLPA Best Captain
Adelaide Crows skipper Jordan Dawson has gone back-to-back, again claiming the title of the AFLPA's Best Captain.
Amid a year of significant personal turmoil, the 29-year-old former Swan has been as faultless as he has been inspirational. He has been duly recognised for his leadership with this gong, following on from his selection as the competition's best captain, and the All-Australian side's vice-captain, a season ago.
The Crows franked last year's minor premiership with another finish in the competition's top third, with Dawson's prolificity, scoring prowess and team-first acts no small factors in their assumption of that perch. He will be eyeing a third blazer, later this evening.
AFLPA Best First Year Player Award
Few established players balance aggression and commitment to task in the manner first-year Blue Harry Dean did this season.
The father-son draftee has been recognised as the AFLPA's Best First Year Player, after playing a pivotal role in his side's surge to September under recently-promoted head coach, Josh Fraser.
Dean averaged more than four spoils, five marks and 11 disposals in his debut season, standing up as the Blue's primary key defender in the absence of the incumbent Jacob Weitering, as his experienced counterpart grappled with injury for large portions of the campaign.
Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award
Jordan Dawson has claimed the Robert Rose Award as the AFLPA's most courageous player, in recognition of a season characterised by his strength off the field just as much as his aplomb on the field.
Dawson opened up to Johnathan Brown about the struggles he's endured this season, after being awarded the honour.
"There's going to be times when I struggle to come into work," he said.
"It's also me understanding that it's okay to feel a certain type of way...it's still pretty raw and it's always going to be tough to talk about, I'm just so fortunate to have the support that I do."
Dawson gave a stirring speech, in which he encouraged others struggling with their mental health.
"Know that you are definitely loved, you are enough, and the world is better place with you in it," he finished.
“I just want to wish anyone who’s struggled with mental health out there, or who is struggling with mental health to know you are loved and the world is a better place with you in it" ❤️
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson shares an important message.#AFLAwards pic.twitter.com/QZS6YD6e7t
— AFL (@AFL) August 25, 2026
Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Nick Daicos has garnered a second consecutive Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFLPA's Most Valuable Player, as the fifth-year Pie's personal trophy cabinet continues to grow.
"It's truly a privilege to stand up here. I pinch myself," he said, in his second speech of the evening.
The best season we've ever seen? 👀
Watch Nick Daicos' 2026 highlights after he collected @AFLPlayers Most Valuable Player, AFL Coaches Champion Player and a fourth All-Australian blazer ✨ pic.twitter.com/1SjMmmnbDB
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) August 25, 2026
Rising Star
Carlton's second-year sensation Jagga Smith showed no signs of being slowed by the ACL injury that robbed him of his first season at the level.
Smith was a revelation in Carlton's midfield, posting excellent numbers and impacting regardless of who was helming the side, from a coaching perspective.
Jagga averaged 24.9 disposals, four clearances, nine contested possessions and over six score involvements in his first home and away season, and will look to carry such excellence into his first AFL finals series, beginning this weekend.
Final Leaderboard:
1st place – Jagga Smith (Carlton): 54 votes
2nd place – Harry Dean (Carlton): 39 votes
3rd place – Willem Duursma (West Coast): 29 votes
4th place – Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne): 28 votes
5th place – Jobe Shanahan (West Coast): 9 votes
Voting Breakdown:
Andrew Dillon (chair)
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
2. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
1. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
Eddie Betts
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
3. Harry Dean (Carlton)
2. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
1. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast SUNS)
Simon Black
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
3. Harry Dean (Carlton)
2. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
1. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
Jude Bolton
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
Abbey Holmes
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
Glen Jakovich
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
3. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
2. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
1. Harry Dean (Carlton)
Laura Kane
5. Harry Dean (Carlton)
4. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
3. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
2. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
1. Dyson Sharp (Essendon)
David Mundy
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
3. Harry Dean (Carlton)
2. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
1. Sullivan Robey (Essendon)
Joel Selwood
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Mitchell Edwards (Geelong Cats)
Kevin Sheehan
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast SUNS)
Greg Swann
5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast SUNS)
All-Australian Team
FB: Wayne Milera, Callum Wilkie, Jarman Impey
HB: Lachie Ash, Harris Andrews, Jordan Clark
C: Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli, Oliver Dempsey
HF: Shai Bolton, Josh Treacy, Kysaiah Pickett
FF: Nick Watson, Charlie Curnow, Logan Morris
FO: Max Gawn (c), Jordan Dawson (vc), Nick Daicos
I/C: Luke Jackson, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Murphy Reid, Zac Bailey, Zak Butters
Melbourne's incomparable leader Max Gawn stands alone in V/AFL history, after securing his ninth All-Australian blazer.
Gawn leaves eight-time honourees Robert Harvey, Mark Ricciuto, Lance Franklin, Gary Ablett Jnr and Patrick Dangerfield in his wake, while the dynamic Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli joined this company with his eighth selection by age 30.
Nick Daicos, at just 23 years of age, secured his fourth blazer on a night where the prolific midfielder also added a second Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFLPA's Most Valuable Player and a second AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award, too. It remains to be seen whether or not the league's most marketable player will add an elusive Brownlow Medal to his CV.
Oliver Dempsey did his cohort of wingmen proud, with the best proponent of the specialist position being recognised for his exemplary season.
Hawk Jarman Impey, Giant Lachie Ash and Crow Wayne Milera land their first All-Australian selections. Docker Jordan Clark and Saint Callum Wilkie are honoured as All-Australians for the second time, while Lions premiership captain Harris Andrews nets his fourth nod.
On a busy night, Crow Jordan Dawson nets his third blazer, while Bailey Smith adds a second nod.
Charlie Curnow earns his third blazer, and first as a Swan. Shai Bolton adds a second, some four years after his first, while Kysaiah Pickett adds a second blazer, 12 months after his first.
Mercurial small, Hawk Nick Watson and imposing keys, Brisbane's Logan Morris and Fremantle's Josh Treacy are maiden All-Australians.
Fremantle teammates Luke Jackson and Murphy Reid land their first nods while Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Lion Zac Bailey add a second each. Wantaway Power midfielder Zak Butters is now a three-time All-Australian.
Inspirational leaders Max Gawn (captain) and Jordan Dawson (vice-captain) shoulder the responsibility of leading this on-paper side.
