HAWTHORN pair Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson were voted as Hawthorn’s two best players by the coaches in Sunday’s win over Gold Coast at the MCG.

Hodge was awarded five votes for his role in the win, moving him into sixth place on the overall leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.

The Hawthorn skipper gathered 24 disposals, laid three tackles and kicked a goal as the Hawks struggled to a hard-fought 26-point win over the Suns.

Despite his side eventually being defeated by the more fancied Hawthorn, Suns superstar Gary Ablett underlined his reputation as the competition’s best player, again being awarded top votes in a losing side.

Ablett kicked three goals in the opening half as he inspired his team to an 11 point half time lead, and was clearly best on ground after the first two quarters.

His influence was minimised in the second half, however, by Hawthorn midfielder Liam Shiels who performed admirably on the superstar who finished with 37 disposals and three goals.

Ablett was still awarded nine votes, just one off the maximum 10 by Alastair Clarkson and Guy McKenna.

Gibson had another excellent game down back for Hawthorn, as he continues to impress with his ability to find a balance between an attacking and defensive mindset.

The defender patrolled the half backline and thwarted a number of opposition forward thrusts and propelled the Hawks forward when he had the footy.

He finished with 27 touches, six marks, three tackles and four inside 50s for the game.

He was awarded four votes by the coaches.

Gold Coast forward Aaron Halle was also given four votes for his five goal performance while Hawks ruckman Max Bailey was awarded three votes for his efforts in the ruck.

Bailey was the dominant ruckman on the ground, finishing with 15 disposals, four marks, four tackles, five clearances and 33 hit outs.

Sam Mitchell also polled two votes while Lance Franklin was awarded one vote for his five goal haul, most of which were kicked in the second half.

The votes: Hawthorn v Gold Coast
9 Ablett (GC)
5 Hodge (Haw)
4 Gibson (Haw)
4 A. Hall (GC)
3 Bailey (Haw)
2 Mitchell (Haw)
2 Prestia (GC)
1 Franklin (Haw)

Round 9 Leaderboard
50 Gary Ablett (GC)
45 Jobe Watson (Ess)
44 Daniel Hannebery (Syd)
40 Kieren Jack (Syd)
36 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
32 Luke Hodge (Haw)
31 Nathan Fyfe (Fre)
31 Steve Johnson (Geel)
31 Harry Taylor (Geel)
30 Travis Boak (Port)
30 Hamish Hartlett (Port)