AFL: Gary Ayres Award contenders

The AFL Finals will begin in earnest this week and that means the Gary Ayres Award will be up for grabs over the coming weeks.

There are many famous medals to be won in the AFL, with the Brownlow Medal being the biggest and most prestigious.

The Brownlow is for the player of the regular season, while the Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the best on ground during the grand final.

There is also the Rising Star award for best young player of the season, with Oliver Dempsey of Geelong taking the honours in 2024.

One medal that can often be overlooked is the Gary Ayres Award, which is awarded to the best player throughout the Finals campaign.

Votes are issued by the opposing coaches after every game in Finals and the player with the most votes at the end of the grand final will win the Gary Ayres Award.

AFL grand final votes will receive a 1.5 loading.

Previous winners include Carlton’s Sam Walsh in 2023 and Patrick Dangerfield of Geelong in 2022.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin won the Gary Ayres on three occasions - in 2017, 2019 and 2020 - as the Tigers dominated.

Here are some of the contenders for the Gary Ayres Award in 2024.

Lachie Neale

Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale is a two-time Brownlow Medallist and has had another stellar season in 2024.

Neale will be key to Brisbane’s chances of going all the way and winning the 2024 grand final, and he can be backed at 7.00 to win the Gary Ayres Award.

The 31-year-old has been averaging 29.5 disposals a game this season and he will be looking to do the same in finals.

Zak Butters

Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters earned All Australian status in 2024 following an outstanding season in the Power engine room.

Averaging 28.7 disposals a game, Butters helped Port finish second on the ladder and he is now primed for a big finals campaign.

The 23-year-old is 8.00 to win the Gary Ayres Award.

Marcus Bontempelli

Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli has had an outstanding 2024 season in the AFL.

Not only has Bontempelli been named skipper of the All Australian side for 2024, he was also crowned AFLPA Most Valuable Player and AFLPA Best Captain.

Now he is looking to carry that form into finals as the Bulldogs attempt to go all the way and win the grand final and he is 9.00 to win the Gary Ayres Award.

Isaac Heeney

Isaac Heeney is one of three Sydney players who are in the running to potentially win the Gary Ayres Award.

Heeney can be backed at 10.00 to win it, while Errol Gulden is 13.00 and Chad Warner 15.00.

The midfielder has been a revelation this season, and if he carries on in the same fashion in finals, he will be a big contender.