The AFL coaches have backed the view of the umpires, naming Geelong star Gary Ablett as their player of the season.

Ablett, awarded the Brownlow Medal on Monday night, followed that by winning the AFL coaches' association's (AFLCA) champion player award on Tuesday night.

It was Ablett's third straight AFLCA award, to go with the third consecutive AFL players' association MVP award he won last week.

The 25-year-old will be aiming to cap his run of personal honours with the ultimate team honour when the Cats meet St Kilda in Saturday's grand final.

Ablett's grand final preparations meant he did not attend the AFLCA dinner to receive his award.

As with the Brownlow, which is voted on by the umpires, Carlton's Chris Judd was the runner-up to Ablett.

Ablett polled 104 votes, with Judd notching 91.

But the coaches, who submitted their votes after each game of the season, rated St Kilda captain and key forward Nick Riewoldt more highly than he ranked in Brownlow voting.

Riewoldt was in third spot, eight votes behind Judd.

Two other Saints, midfielders Nick Dal Santo (fourth) and Lenny Hayes (ninth) made the top 10.

Earlier, Hawthorn premiership player Cyril Rioli was named the AFL's best young player.

That award covered the past two years, including the agile forward's debut 2008 season, in which he played every match, including a starring role in the Hawks' upset grand final victory over Geelong.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP