St Kilda’s narrow loss to Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium has been reflected in the Coaches Association votes, with star midfielders David Armitage and Sam Mitchell sharing the votes.

Armitage earned nine votes off the coaches following his best game of the year, the same as ball-magnet Mitchell. The Queenslander collected 35 possessions, 12 contested possessions, six tackles and five inside 50s as he returned to form against the Hawks.

Saints key defender Sean Dempster was rewarded for his telling performance on budding Hawthorn forward James Sicily with three votes. The dependable backman also collected 18 possessions of his own and took a massive grab on the back of Sam Fisher to earn a mark of the year nomination.

Smooth movers Jack Billings and Shane Savage both received a pair of votes each following their efforts against the reigning premiers in Launceston.

Playing predominantly on a wing, Billings collected the second highest possession haul of his career with 27. But it was also his work without the ball that stood out, with the polished left footer laying six tackles in another improved defensive performance.

Whilst Savage was rewarded with two votes following his game breaking exploits from a back flank. Opposed to his former side, the dashing defender provided the Saints with plenty of drive out of the back half, collecting 30 possessions at an efficiency rate of 86.7 per cent.

Star midfielder Jack Steven was the other Saint to acquire a vote, collecting one from the coaches after he gathered 23 possessions, eight tackles and seven inside 50s against Hawthorn.

Round 4 Coaches Association Votes
Hawthorn v St Kilda

9 David Armitage
9 Sam Mitchell
3 Sean Dempster
3 Jordan Lewis
2 Jack Billings
2 Shane Savage
1 Isaac Smith
1 Jack Steven