The 20-year-old, who had 28 disposals and booted three goals, was the clear standout for coaches Mick Malthouse and Rodney Eade.
Next best was the fourth-quarter specialist Leigh Brown, who polled one vote for each of his four goals in the final term. Also receiving four votes were Bulldogs’ Will Minson, who had a staggering 56 hitouts and Robert Murphy (23 disposals and minded Brad Dick).
Sharrod Wellingham (three votes, 26 disposals and six tackles) and Andrew Krakouer (two votes, 26 disposals and two goals) featured in the voting for the first time this season.
Heath Shaw, who won the Bob Rose/Charlie Sutton medal for his 31-disposal effort, polled one vote.
For the first time this season, neither Dane Swan nor Scott Pendlebury made it in the eyes of the coaches.
Past winners of the prestigious award include Dane Swan (2010), Gary Ablett Jnr (2007-09), Simon Goodwin and Adam Goodes (joint winners in 2006), Barry Hall (2005) and Warren Tredrea (2004).
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs voting
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Steele Sidebottom | Coll |
| 4 | Leigh Brown | Coll |
| 4 | Will Minson | WB |
| 4 | Robert Murphy | WB |
| 3 | Sharrod Wellingham | Coll |
| 2 | Andrew Krakouer | Coll |
| 2 | Daniel Cross | WB |
| 1 | Heath Shaw | Coll |
Collingwood leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year (number of matches the player polled)
| Votes | Player |
|---|---|
| 27 | Dane Swan (3) |
| 23 | Scott Pendlebury (3) |
| 15 | Chris Dawes (2) |
| 14 | Heath Shaw (3) |
| 10 | Steele Sidebottom (1) |
| 9 | Jarryd Blair (1) |
| 8 | Ben Johnson (2) |
| 8 | Dale Thomas (1) |
| 8 | Travis Cloke (4) |
| 4 | Dayne Beams (1) |
| 4 | Leigh Brown (1) |
| 3 | Leon Davis (1) |
| 3 | Sharrod Wellingham (1) |
| 2 | Andrew Krakouer (1) |
| 2 | Darren Jolly (1) |
| 1 | Harry O'Brien (1) |
Leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Chris Judd | Carlton |
| 33 | Jobe Watson | Essendon |
| 29 | Dean Cox | West Coast |
| 27 | Matthew Boyd | Western Bulldogs |
| 27 | Marc Murphy | Carlton |
| 27 | Dane Swan | Collingwood |
| 25 | Brent Moloney | Melbourne |
| 24 | Dustin Martin | Richmond |
| 23 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 21 | Matthew Pavlich | Fremantle |
