North Melbourne's Andrew Swallow continued his rich vein of form against the Lions in round nine and it didn't go unnoticed by the team's respective coaches.

In a losing team, the 2009 Syd Barker Medal winner polled five votes to earn the mantle as the Kangaroos' best player on the night.

While Swallow has been named in the bests on four ocassions this year, teammate Scott Thompson will be delighted to have earned votes in what was a return to form.

Thompson had 22 possessions and was a pillar in defence for his team, especially in the first half. Fellow defender Brady Rawlings was also recognised by the coaches, but it was Brisbane's Pearce Hanley who received top honours in the AFL Coaches' Association Champion Player of the Year award.

Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne
8 Pearce Hanley (Bris)
6 Jonathan Brown (Bris)
5 Jed Adcock (Bris)
5 Andrew Swallow (NM)
4 Scott Thompson (NM)
2 Brady Rawlings (NM)