St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt has been rewarded for his dominant display against Melbourne on the weekend with a full complement of votes from the coaches.

The Saints Captain earned ten votes from Alan Richardson and Paul Roos following his brilliant effort, which led St Kilda to its second victory of 2016 against a red-hot Demons outfit at Etihad Stadium.

When the game was there to be won, before St Kilda streaked out to a seven-goal lead at the final break, Riewoldt was at his best. He kicked important goals and took telling marks, finishing with 3.2 from 14 marks and 24 possessions in a well-rounded performance.

Budding Melbourne superstar Jesse Hogan received eight votes for his haul of seven goals, whilst emerging midfielder Blake Acres polled six votes following his career-best performance that could reap a Rising Star nomination this week.

The West Australian was the Saints most prolific player on the ground, gathering a career-high 28 possessions, 12 score involvements and two goals as he made a statement in his return to senior football.

Tom Hickey, Tim Membrey and Jack Steven all earned two votes apiece to round out the votes, with the trio rewarded for their important roles in the Saints 39-point win.

 

 

Hickey had the arduous task of quelling the influence of the game’s most in-form ruckman, Max Gawn, and he performed the duty with aplomb. Whilst Steven was damaging in a workmanlike manner, gathering an equal game-high 16 contested possessions from his 25 touches, to go with a game-high 11 tackles.

Deep inside 50, alongside Captain Riewoldt, Membrey produced the finest showing of his short career. The mobile key forward kicked 5.1 from 16 possessions and eight marks to kick-start his 2016 campaign after overcoming a shoulder reconstruction during the off-season.

After six rounds, Geelong midfielder Patrick Dangerfield leads the Coaches Assocation player of the year prize, one vote ahead of Gold Coast key forward Tom Lynch and Sydney midfielder Luke Parker.

AFL Coaches Association Round 6 Votes
Melbourne v St Kilda

10 Nick Riewoldt
8 Jesse Hogan
6 Blake Acres
2 Tom Hickey
2 Tim Membrey
2 Jack Steven

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