Collingwood captain Darcy Moore and Fremantle superstar Caleb Serong were both awarded maximum votes for their efforts in their respective finals matches.
Moore led the Pies in defence against a top-heavy Adelaide outfit, taking nine intercept marks and controlling the air. His teammates claimed the remainder of the coaches' votes, with Jordan De Goey (seven votes), Nick Daicos (five), and Isaac Quaynor (four) also recognised.
Geelong's Oliver Dempsey recorded a near-perfect game with nine votes from Chris Scott and Chris Fagan after kicking three goals from 25 possessions.
GWS midfielder Finn Callaghan and Hawthorn brute Jai Newcombe shared the chocolates in Saturday's elimination final, with the coaches unable to split the two.
Meanwhile, Hawks stopper Blake Hardwick was rewarded for quelling Giants skipper Toby Greene.
Matt Rowell, Tom Stewart, Mark Blicavs and Tom Green also featured prominently.
However, the Dockers and Giants did not progress through the first week of the finals.
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 Collingwood
10 - Darcy Moore (COLL)
7 - Jordan De Goey (COLL)
5 - Nick Daicos (COLL)
4 - Isaac Quaynor (COLL)
3 - Steele Sidebottom (COLL)
1 - Jamie Elliott (COLL)
Geelong v Brisbane
9 - Oliver Dempsey (GEEL)
7 - Tom Stewart (GEEL)
5 - Mark Blicavs (GEEL)
4 - Tom Atkins (GEEL)
4 - Max Holmes (GEEL)
1 - Josh Dunkley (BL)
GWS v Hawthorn
8 - Finn Callaghan (GWS)
8 - Jai Newcombe (HAW)
7 - Blake Hardwick (HAW)
5 - Tom Green (GWS)
2 - Jarman Impey (HAW)
Fremantle v Gold Coast
10 - Caleb Serong (FRE)
6 - Matt Rowell (GCS)
4 - Wil Powell (GCS)
4 - Sam Collins (GCS)
3 - Noah Anderson (GCS)
2 - Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)
1 - Bodhi Uwland (GCS)
Gary Ayres 2025 Leaderboard
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Darcy Moore | COLL |
| 10 | Caleb Serong | FRE |
| 9 | Oliver Dempsey | GEEL |
| 8 | Jai Newcombe | HAW |
| 8 | Finn Callaghan | GWS |
| 7 | Jordan De Goey | COLL |
| 7 | Tom Stewart | GEEL |
| 7 | Blake Hardwick | HAW |
| 6 | Matt Rowell | GCS |
| 5 | Nick Daicos | COLL |
| 5 | Tom Green | GWS |
| 5 | Mark Blicavs | GEEL |
| 4 | Wil Powell | GCS |
| 4 | Sam Collins | GCS |
| 4 | Isaac Quaynor | COLL |
| 4 | Tom Atkins | GEEL |
| 3 | Noah Anderson | GCS |
| 3 | Steele Sidebottom | COLL |
| 2 | Jarman Impey | HAW |
| 2 | Andrew Brayshaw | FRE |
| 1 | Bodhi Uwland | GCS |
| 1 | Josh Dunkley | BL |
| 1 | Jamie Elliott | 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)
