THE FIRST votes are in for the AFL Coaches Association's Champion Player Award and it's Melbourne who has dominated the line-up for Round 1. 

The Demons defeated the Bulldogs in the club's AFL season-opener on Saturday night, with five players from the red and blue acknowledged by the coaches in the 50-point win.

Jake Lever and Kysaiah Pickett topped the performances and received nine votes apiece, with the duo dominating the contest at opposite ends of the field. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Jake Lever of the Demons in action during the 2023 AFL Round 01 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 18, 2023 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Lever was instrumental in defence, collecting 21 disposals, 13 of which were intercept possessions, while Pickett was masterful with his quick skills and on-ball pressure, registering four goals, seven marks and eight tackles. 

Christian Petracca and Max Gawn both polled five votes, the Melbourne skipper seen working across the ground with 21 hit-outs, two goals and five clearances. 

The final player to receive votes was stalwart midfielder Clayton Oliver, who continued his usual ways through the centre with 33 disposals, seven tackles and eight clearances. 

Check out all the votes from the season-opener below. 

ROUND 1 | Melbourne v Western Bulldogs 
9 Jake Lever (MELB)
9 Kysaiah Pickett (MELB)
5 Christian Petracca (MELB)
5 Max Gawn (MELB)
2 Clayton Oliver (MELB)

LEADERBOARD
10 Luke Davies-Uniacke (NMFC)
10 Jordan De Goey (COLL)
10 Daniel Rioli (RICH)
10 Chad Warner (SYD)
9 Toby Greene (GWS)
9 Jason Horne-Francis (PORT)
9 Jake Lever (MELB)
9 Kysaiah Pickett (MELB)