Tom Mitchell has been recognised with a top-five finish in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award.

Mitchell polled 76 votes throughout the season to finish fifth, just one vote behind Essendon’s Zac Merrett (77), and two votes from Adelaide’s Rory Sloane (78).

Read: Round 23 coaches votes revealed

Brownlow Medal favourite Dustin Martin took out the award, polling an impressive 122 votes through 2017. Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield (118) was a close runner-up.

The AFLCA Champion Player of the Year is voted on week to week by both Senior Coaches on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis. Each Senior Coach votes on their match only and any player suspensions are disregarded.

The coaches also voted on the best young player of the year, with Clayton Olver (Melbourne) taking out the award, ahead of Sam Menegola (Geelong) and Christian Petracca (Melbourne).

2017 Coaches’ votes leaderboard: 

122 Dustin Martin (Rich)
118 Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)
78 Rory Sloan (Adel)
77 Zach Merrett (Ess)
76 Tom Mitchell (Haw)
75 Josh Kelly (GWS)
71 Clayton Oliver (Melb)
68 Matt Crouch (Adel)
68 Sebastian Ross (StK)
68 Dayne Zorko (Bris)