Craig McRae recently sparked discussion by revealing that Collingwood made changes to their best and fairest voting system to “recognise exceptional performances.” If a similar approach were taken at Zero Hanger, two players in particular might have received more than the maximum of 20 votes for their outstanding displays during Gather Round.
Josh Rachele, sporting a black eye, left Carlton’s defense looking similarly battered after delivering strong ball-winning efforts and showcasing his class in front of goal under challenging conditions on Thursday night. Two days later, Isaac Heeney reminded the league of his impact with an impressive 33 disposals, two goals, and 11 tackles. The list of superlatives used to describe the Harbour City superstar is rapidly depleting.
Joining Heeney as recipients of the maximum 20 votes this weekend are Jack Ginnivan and Max Holmes. Ginnivan continued his All-Australian campaign with a standout performance in a high-stakes clash against the Bulldogs, while Max Holmes demonstrated his consistency as Geelong dominated West Coast.
Heeney and Holmes now share equal fifth place on the leaderboard, a well-deserved recognition of their strong starts to the season.
Brisbane’s Zac Bailey and Essendon’s Archie Roberts also came close to receiving the maximum votes due to their crucial roles in their teams’ victories.
At Zero Hanger, Jonty Ralphsmith, Harrison McIlwaine, Aidan Cellini, and Mitch Keating will each assign 5-4-3-2-1 votes for every home and away game throughout the season. The player who accumulates the most votes at the end of the season will be crowned the Zero Hanger AFL MVP, sponsored by Winning Edge Presentations.
Below is the detailed breakdown of the votes from each match:
- Josh Rachele (Carlton): Demonstrated resilience and skill despite a black eye, contributing significantly to Carlton’s defensive efforts.
- Isaac Heeney (Melbourne): Delivered a standout performance with 33 disposals, two goals, and 11 tackles, reaffirming his status as a key player.
- Jack Ginnivan (Hawthorn): Showcased his talent in a high-pressure game against the Bulldogs, further solidifying his All-Australian credentials.
- Max Holmes (Geelong): Continued his impressive form as Geelong secured a comfortable victory over West Coast.
Other notable mentions include:
- Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions): Played a pivotal role in Brisbane’s win, earning praise for his contributions.
- Archie Roberts (Essendon): Provided essential support in Essendon’s victory, coming close to the maximum vote tally.
The competition for the Zero Hanger AFL MVP is heating up, with several players making strong cases for the title. As the season progresses, fans can look forward to seeing how these performances translate into the final standings.
For those interested in tracking the latest developments, the full leaderboard is available for viewing. This ongoing assessment not only highlights individual achievements but also adds an extra layer of excitement to the AFL season.
