Sydney Swans forward Lance Franklin sits in equal-first in the 2018 AFL Coaches Association’s Champion Player of the Year Award after collecting a perfect 10 votes in Round 1.
The four-time Coleman Medallist complemented an eight-goal effort with 21 disposals, nine marks and four tackles in Sydney’s 29-point win over West Coast at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Vice-captain Luke Parker recorded 32 disposals, nine tackles and a goal to collect seven votes, while young gun Isaac Heeney registered 26 disposals, four tackles and a goal of his own to claim five votes.
For West Coast, forwards Mark LeCras (four votes) and Jack Darling (two votes) produced quality games, while Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn (two votes) also impressed.
There is a four-way tie for first after the opening round of the competition, with Franklin leading the way alongside Carlton’s Patrick Cripps, Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell and St Kilda’s Jack Steven.
Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year
West Coast v Sydney
10 – Lance Franklin
7 – Luke Parker
5 – Isaac Heeney
4 – Mark LeCras
2 – Jack Darling
2 – Shannon Hurn
2018 Leaderboard
10 – Patrick Cripps
10 – Lance Franklin
10 – Tom Mitchell
10 – Jack Steven
9 – Jeremy Cameron
9 – Max Gawn
8 – Darcy Byrne-Jones
8 – Brad Ebert
8 – Lachie Whitfield
7 – Blake Acres
7 – Jarrod Harbrow
7 – Dustin Martin
7 – Luke Parker
7 – Aaron Young
