Sam Walsh has claimed the 2023 Gary Ayres Medal, hanging on by 2.5 votes over Brisbane defender Keidean Coleman to be named the player of the finals series.
Walsh played three blistering finals during Carlton’s September campaign that ended with a loss to the Lions in the Preliminary Final, including a best-on-ground performance against Melbourne.
Votes for the medal are issued after each game by the respective coaches of the competing clubs.
Walsh finished with 23 votes and polled in every game. Coleman finished with 20.5, with Grand Final performances receiving a 1.5x boost.
Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill came from the clouds to snag third place given his best afield performance on Saturday.
Walsh is the 6th player to win the Gary Ayres Medal, joining the likes of Dustin Martin, Patrick Dangerfield and more.
He’s the first player to win the award and not play in the season decider of that respective year.
See the top five below
Sam Walsh (23 votes)
Keidean Coleman (20.5)
Bobby Hill (19)
Tom Green (17)
Jack Crisp (16)
Grand Final votes
Bobby Hill (15 votes)
Keidean Coleman (10.5)
Nick Daicos (6)
Jack Crisp (6)
Tom Mitchell (3)
Scott Pendlebury (3)
Joe Daniher (1.5)