Promising Crow Wayne Milera Junior has scored his first-ever perfect 10 from the coaches.
Milera played the best game of his fledgling career on Saturday night, collecting a personal best 33 disposals at 85 per cent efficiency in Adelaide’s win over Gold Coast. The composed 20-year-old also had a combined seven inside and rebound 50ms to earn maximum votes from Don Pyke and Stuart Dew.
Forward Tom Lynch, of the Adelaide variety, received five votes along with Suns star David Swallow.
Lynch kicked three goals from 25 disposals and took seven marks. Swallow was easily Gold Coast’s best player, amassing 32 disposals and three goals in a 48-point loss.
Defender Daniel Talia polled four votes after keeping Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch goalless. Reigning Club Champion Matt Crouch, who picked up 30 touches and a goal, was also awarded four votes in his return from injury.
Wingman Rory Atkins (one) and three-goal midfielder/forward Richard Douglas (one) rounded out the voting.
Milera was one of only four players to poll 10 votes in Round Six. Richmond captain Trent Cotchin, Hawthorn onballer Isaac Smith and Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn were the others.
Gawn (29 votes) has climbed to third spot in the AFL Coaches Association Award, while All Australian Rory Laird is the highest-ranked Crow (24 votes). In-form Hawk Tom Mitchell has reclaimed the overall lead from Magpie Steele Sidebottom.
Adelaide v Gold Coast
10 – Wayne Milera Junior (Adelaide)
5 – Tom Lynch (Adelaide)
5 – David Swallow (Gold Coast)
4 – Matt Crouch (Adelaide)
4 – Daniel Talia (Adelaide)
1 – Rory Atkins (Adelaide)
1 – Richard Douglas (Adelaide)
Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Leaderboard
33 – Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
31 – Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
29 – Max Gawn (Melbourne)
29 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)
28 – Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
28 – Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
28 – Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
25 – Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
24 – Rory Laird (Adelaide)
23 – Ben Brown (North Melbourne)