Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe was rewarded with a maximum 10 votes after his dominant performance against Adelaide in the semi-final.
Newcombe, who is quickly becoming recognised as Mr September, proved to be the difference maker in the 34-point win, gathering 28 possessions, eight clearances and a goal.
It takes his tally to 18 votes, eight more than the next best.
Jack Gunston's five-goal performance was also deemed the clear second best, while Adelaide defender Josh Worrell was the only player to feature for the Crows.
Josh Ward, Lloyd Meek, Josh Battle and Nick Watson all picked up votes as well.
In the QClash final, it was a clean sweep by Brisbane, who dismantled their little brother, Gold Coast, to the tune of 53 points.
Without Lachie Neale (calf), it was Will Ashcroft (eight votes), Josh Dunkley (seven), Jarrod Berry (four) and Hugh McCluggage (four) who stepped up.
Intercept defender Harris Andrews was also justly rewarded for quelling Ben King after he proved to be a problem in the opening term.
The Gary Ayres Award recognises the player deemed the best during the finals series, as voted by the coaches. Votes from the 2025 AFL Grand Final will receive a 1.5 times weighting.
Adelaide v Hawthorn
10 - Jai Newcombe (HAW)
8 - Jack Gunston (HAW)
4 - Josh Ward (HAW)
3 - Josh Worrell (ADEL)
3 - Lloyd Meek (HAW)
1 - Josh Battle (HAW)
1 - Nick Watson (HAW)
Brisbane v Gold Coast
8 - Will Ashcroft (BL)
7 - Josh Dunkley (BL)
6 - Harris Andrews (BL)
4 - Jarrod Berry (BL)
4 - Hugh McCluggage (BL)
1 - Cameron Rayner (BL)
2025 Gary Ayres Leaderboard
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Jai Newcombe | HAW |
| 10 | Caleb Serong | FRE |
| 10 | Darcy Moore | COLL |
| 9 | Oliver Dempsey | GEEL |
| 8 | Finn Callaghan | GWS |
| 8 | Will Ashcroft | BL |
| 8 | Josh Dunkley | BL |
| 8 | Jack Gunston | HAW |
| 7 | Jordan De Goey | COLL |
| 7 | Blake Hardwick | HAW |
| 7 | Tom Stewart | GEEL |
| 6 | Harris Andrews | BL |
| 6 | Matt Rowell | GCFC |
| 5 | Mark Blicavs | GEEL |
| 5 | Nick Daicos | COLL |
| 5 | Tom Green | GWS |
| 4 | Tom Atkins | GEEL |
| 4 | Jarrod Berry | BL |
| 4 | Sam Collins | GCFC |
| 4 | Max Holmes | GEEL |
| 4 | Hugh McCluggage | BL |
| 4 | Wil Powell | GCFC |
| 4 | Isaac Quaynor | COLL |
Gary Ayres Award previous winners
2024 - Lachie Neale (BL)
2023 - Sam Walsh (CARL)
2022 - Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
2021 - Jack Macrae (WB)
2020 - Dustin Martin (RICH)
2019 - Dustin Martin (RICH)
2018 - Steele Sidebottom (COLL)
2017 - Dustin Martin (RICH)
2016 - Josh Kennedy (SYD)
