HAWTHORN Captain Luke Hodge was best on ground in his team’s 53-point win over Gold Coast according to the coaches.

Hodge was awarded the maximum 10 votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award, receiving five votes from both Brendon Bolton and Guy McKenna.

The skipper was outstanding in the win, leading the Hawks to victory in the difficult conditions with 26 disposals, six tackles, five clearances, five inside 50s and three goals.

Hodge led the way in the clinches, with 12 of his 26 touches contested as he and the Hawks dominated the contested footy all day, 172-149.

Vice-captain Jordan Lewis was just as good, deemed the second-best on ground with eight votes – four from each coach.

Like Hodge, Lewis won the hard ball with 12 of his team-high 28 disposals contested and he again led the Hawks for clearances with five, the equal team-high.

Lewis also hit the scoreboard, booting two goals in the win, which has been a focus for him since the bye in Round 9.

Wingman Isaac Smith was another Hawk to earn votes from the coaches, given four for his 27 disposal game.

The speedster provided great run through the midfield and was the player in which teammates like Hodge and Lewis fed the ball out to, with 12 of his 27 touches uncontested.

Smith also booted two crucial goals in the five-minute burst at the end of the second quarter that put the Hawks into a winning position.

With the ability to also play as an effective forward, Smith snapped a great goal and kicked one from a set shot to give his side the best chance at winning the game.

He also did the hard stuff, laying nine tackles for the game, which would have pleased his coach.

Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar continued his good form, awarded two votes from the coaches – deemed the dominant ruckman on the ground.

Ceglar had 37 hit outs, picked up 14 disposals, kicked a goal and set up another.

His game will again make it hard for the Hawks to displace him in favour of returning ruckman Ben McEvoy.

Shaun Burgoyne also received a vote for his 21-disposal effort.

Gold Coast Captain Gary Ablett was the only Sun to poll after he amassed 45 touches in his team’s loss.

The votes: Hawthorn v Gold Coast
10 Hodge (Haw)
8 Lewis (Haw)
5 Ablett (GCS)
4 Smith (Haw)
2 Ceglar (Haw)
1 Burgoyne (Haw)

Round 15 Leaderboard
72 Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
66 Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
65 Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
60 Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
59 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
52 Lance Franklin (Sydney)
48 Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
45 Brendon Goddard (Essendon)
45 Matthew Priddis (West Coast)
44 Dyson Heppell (Essendon)