SHAUN Burgoyne was deemed best on ground by the coaches in an even performance by Hawthorn in Saturday’s 145-point win over St Kilda at the MCG.

It was a clinical display from the reigning premiers, whose even contribution from the 22 players was reflected in the votes cast by the coaches for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.

Burgoyne was the top vote getter with eight – two shy of the maximum 10 votes available to players, while Luke Breust and Josh Gibson were equal second-best with six votes each.

The closeness of the voting reflected Hawthorn’s performance on Saturday, with each player contributing to the impressive performance.

While Burgoyne, who gathered 33 disposals, had nine clearances, six inside 50s and kicked two goals in his 251^st AFL game, received eight votes from Alastair Clarkson and Alan Richardson, it is more the names that also polled that tell a story for the Hawks heading into Friday night’s blockbuster against the Swans.

Breust, Gibson, Jarryd Roughead, Grant Birchall and Luke Hodge – six of Hawthorn’s biggest and best names were amongst the best players on the ground in the win, meaning their most senior players are in good form heading into the game.

Breust has been a revelation this season, with his ability to turn around his poor goal kicking of late-2013 to become one of the most reliable set shots in the game early this season.

Another four goal haul from the small forward on Saturday means he has kicked multiple goals in each of his seven games this season but given he also had 29 disposals shows he’s doing more around the ball than just kicking goals.

Gibson, who spent time rotating on gun Saints forward Nick Riewoldt also received six votes for his ability to not only control the defence but also to set up run from half back.

Last year’s best and fairest winner gathered 30 disposals for the second time this season and took eight marks.

Roughead, who has taken a backseat to his forward line partners Breust and Jack Gunston in previous weeks also returned to form with four goals and 23 disposals to receive four votes from the coaches.

Birchall was outstanding across half back with a team-high 34 touches at 82 per cent efficiency and six inside 50s – he received three votes from the coaches as did skipper, Hodge.

Hodge backed up his 30-disposal effort against the Tigers last week with another 33 disposals and six clearances on Saturday.

His leadership down back and the ability to push into the midfield has him in great form ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Swans.

The votes: Hawthorn v St Kilda
8 Burgoyne (Haw)
6 Breust (Haw)
6 Gibson (Haw)
4 Roughead (Haw)
3 Birchall (Haw)
3 Hodge (Haw)

Round 7 Leaderboard
45 Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
34 Joel Selwood (Geelong)
33 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
30 Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
29 Steve Johnson (Geelong)
27 Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)
26 Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
26 Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
24 Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
23 Dayne Beams (Collingwood)
23 Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
23 Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
23 Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
23 Nathan Jones (Melbourne)