Geelong defender Tom Stewart has been named the Best Young Player of the Year, according to the AFL Coaches' Association.
The 25-year-old picked up the award after gathering the most coaches votes over the 2017 and 2018 seasons, with the award going to the player to pick up the most votes in their first two years of AFL football.
Stewart finished with 40 votes, almost double the tally of Sam Powell-Pepper, who came in second with 23.
Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage finished in third with 20 votes, while Fremantle's Luke Ryan (19 votes) and Adelaide's Hugh Greenwood (17) rounded out the top five.
“The AFL Coaches Association’s Champion Player of the Year votes are a real badge of honour. The coaches don’t give them away lightly!” AFL Coaches Association CEO Mark Brayshaw told aflplayers.com.au.
“That Tom has earned 40 in the first two years of his AFL career is a wonderful endorsement. He should be very proud to have been judged the Best Young Player by the AFL coaches in 2018.”
Stewart has played 42 games across his first two seasons, and averages 17.5 disposals, 5.1 marks, 4.2 rebound 50s and 4.5 one-percenters per game.
