Smith Shares the Top Honour in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award

Bailey Smith has charged home in the 2025 AFLCA Coaches Votes award, sharing the top honour with Gold Coast's Noah Anderson

Geelong on-baller Bailey Smith and GOLD Coast midfielder Noah Anderson have tied for the 2025 Sharp EIT Solutions AFL Coaches Association’s AFL Champion Player of the Year Award, closing out one of the tightest-fought races in the award’s history.

Smith and Anderson both finished the season with 103 votes, with the star midfielders claiming nine votes apiece in their final games of the season to win the prestigious award for the first time in their emerging careers.

The count came down to the final match of the season in the re-scheduled round 24 game against Essendon, as Anderson’s 34-disposal and three-goal performance powered the Suns to their first finals appearance in club history and Anderson to the top of the leaderboard alongside Smith.

Matt Rowell was awarded seven votes in the same game against the Bombers to move into second-place (97), while Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (93), Melbourne’s Max Gawn (92) and Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson (90) rounded out the top five.

FULL VOTES & LEADERBOARD

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Geelong coach Chris Scott praised Smith on his recognition from the coaches in his first season at the Cats.

“Bailey has had an immediate impact on and off the field in his first year at the Cats.” Scott said.

“He is a fierce competitor who has a great desire to get the best out of himself. He sets an example with his work rate and preparation which has enabled him to perform at a consistent level this season.

“To be recognised by the coaches with this award in his first season at a new club, after 12 months out of the game with injury, is a real credit to Bailey and the work he has put in.”

“Congratulations to Bailey and Noah on their 2025 seasons and winning this award.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Bailey Smith of the Cats warms up during the round 23 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Geelong Cats at Sydney Cricket Ground on August 17, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

AFLCA CEO Alistair Nicholson congratulated both Anderson and Smith on winning the coveted award.

“Noah and Bailey were absolute standouts across the 2025 season and a huge reason as to why their clubs find themselves in the position they do leading into finals,” Nicholson said.

“Noah has shown he is an emerging star of the competition with the way he can impact games through the midfield and Bailey has been instrumental in ensuring Geelong are one of the key contenders for the premiership again this year.”

“Both should be honoured to be recognised by the coaches as the 2025 Sharp EIT Solutions AFL Coaches Association Champion Player, we believe this to be the most prestigious of Awards in the AFL, the 18 coaching groups have a unique view on our game and allocate their votes with care and consideration. Congratulations Noah and Bailey.”

In his first season at Geelong, and despite missing three games with illness and injury, Smith led the AFL for disposals per game (31.7) and he also averaged career-highs in clearances (5.9) and contested possessions (11.1).

The AFL Coaches Association’s AFL Champion Player Award is an award voted by the 18 coaching panels on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game, acknowledging outstanding effort by an individual player in a season.

2025 Overall Leaderboard

VOTES PLAYER TEAM 103 Bailey Smith GEEL 103 Noah Anderson GCFC 97 Matt Rowell GCFC 93 Nick Daicos COLL 92 Max Gawn MELB 90 Jordan Dawson ADEL

Geelong Cats 2025 Coaches' Votes Leaderboard

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