COLLINGWOOD on-baller Scott Pendlebury has made a well-timed charge to claim the AFL Coaches' Association player of the year award.

Pendlebury hit the lead for the first time with his performance against North Melbourne in the final home-and-away round last Sunday.

He was in third place going into the last round, five votes behind the leader, Geelong skipper Joel Selwood, and three behind Sydney's Kieren Jack.

Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett was fourth.

Each coach casts votes from 5-1 for the best player in each game, so a player can score a maximum 10.

The four leaders all received votes in the final round - Pendlebury (nine), Ablett (10), Selwood (two) and Jack (two). Ablett leap- frogged Selwood and Jack with his perfect score against Greater Western Sydney, but fell two short of winning.

Pendlebury said he was thrilled to win.

"It's a good award because it's awarded by the coaches and I'm happy to get it," he said. "Obviously one coach every week is trying to plot the downfall of players, so it's good recognition."

The award will be presented at Palladium at Crown on September 24.

AFLCA chief executive Danny Frawley said the finish was the closest ever.

"The four guys can say they've had great years," Frawley said. "Normally this award is done and dusted after about Round 19, but this changed week to week."

Frawley said he would be surprised if the Brownlow Medal winner did not come from the coaches' top four.



The award is sponsored by Momentum Energy.

TOP SIX

96: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

95: Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)

94: Joel Selwood (Geelong)

92: Kieran Jack (Sydney)

78: Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)

77: Dane Swan (Collingwood)