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Travis Varcoe's brilliance on the forward-line is an undeniable X Factor as Geelong shoots for a third premiership in four years.

He has stamped himself as one of the most improved players in the AFL.

Varcoe has had his radar in front of the big sticks just about perfect.

He just doesn't miss.

His unselfishness is also noteworthy.

There were no surprises when Varcoe polled the maximum 12 votes (for round 20) in the Marngrook Footy Show/NITV Deadly Player of the Year award.

He was unstoppable as the Cats thrashed the Western Bulldogs by 101 points at Etihad Stadium.

"He's hit his straps," Marngrook Footy Show host Grant Hansen said.

Gilbert McAdam added: "That's the best game I've seen him play. He didn't make a mistake."

Vote-getters for round 20 were: Travis Varcoe Geelong 12, Jeff Garlett Carlton 4, Graham Johncock Adelaide 4, Shaun Burgoyne Hawthorn 2 and Michael Walters Fremantle 2.

Sydney champ Adam Goodes leads on 45 votes from North Melbourne's Daniel Wells on 38, Hawthorn's Lance Franklin on 35, Carlton's Andrew Walker on 33 and Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli on 31.

"Goodesy" won the prestigious award last year and is on track for back-to-back Marngrook Footy Show/NITV Deadly Player of the Year awards.

Expect the superstar to poll well in the Brownlow Medal.

The milestones keep coming for Collingwood coach Michael Malthouse.

He will coach his 635th match as the Magpies do battle with Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday after making his coaching debut (in charge of Footscray) back in 1984.

It will take Malthouse into equal second spot in the history of the game with Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy.

The leading five coaches in the game’s history are Jock McHale (714 games with Collingwood), Kevin Sheedy (635 games with Essendon), Michael Malthouse (634 games with Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood), Allan Jeans (575 games with St Kilda, Hawthorn and Richmond) and Tom Hafey (522 games with Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney).

Other scheduled milestones are:

AFL Life Membership to Nathan Eagleton of the Western Bulldogs.

Eagleton qualifies for automatic AFL Life Membership with his 300th official game since his debut in 1997, comprising 273 premiership matches with Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, 21 pre-season games, one State of Origin match and four International Rules games.

Will Josh Fraser get the opportunity to play his 200th game for Collingwood?

Sydney's Craig Bolton has been stuck on 199 games due to a long-term injury.

Meanwhile, Paul Roos will become the first man in the history of South Melbourne/ Sydney Swans to coach the club in 200 games.

North Melbourne has finished powerfully to celebrate captain and favourite son Brent Harvey's 300th game in magnificent style against West Coast at Subiaco.

The Kangaroos appeared to be struggling after falling nine points behind midway through the last quarter.

But they rallied tremendously to ensure a fairytale finish to Harvey's big game.

The Preston RSL product finished with 26 possessions, including five inside 50s.

In a classy display, West Coast coach John Worsfold and his players remained on the ground after the final siren to give the little champ a guard of honour.

Worsfold gave Harvey a firm handshake. 

"Boomer" was all smiles as he was chaired off the ground on the shoulders of Brady Rawlings and Michael Firrito.

He received a kiss on the cheek from his proud father Neil at the top of the race.

Sam Wright kicked four goals with Andrew Swallow, Aaron Edwards and Ben Warren chipping in with three goals apiece.

Elevated rookie Callum Wilson booted four goals for the Eagles, who will collect the wooden spoon for the first time in its history.

Shannon Hurn, Matt Rosa and Brad Ebert tried valiantly.

Final scores: North Melbourne 16.14 (110) to West Coast 14.10 (94)

The pressure intensifies on Essendon's under siege coach Matthew Knights.

The Bombers were woeful in going down to Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.

Champion forward Jonathon Brown was the matchwinner with four goals in his 200th game forthe Lions.

Red-headed Todd Banfield chimed in with three goals.

Michael Rischitelli, Daniel Rich and Tom Rockliff were splendid in the midfield.

Jobe Watson and David Hille battled hard for the Bombers.

Second-gamer and Craigieburn product Jake Carlisle showed promise.

Final scores: Brisbane 14.11 (95) to Essendon 10.8 (68)

Recycled Richmond forward Jay Schulz has been a surprise packet for Port Adelaide.

He booted five goals to play a valuable role in the Power's comfortable win over Melbourne at AAMI Stadium.

Schulz leads the side's goalkicking this year.

Travis Boak and Robbie Gray chipped in with three goals apiece.

Liam Jurrah was lively for the Demons.

He booted four goals and grabbed a spectacular mark that may have edged out Brendon Goddard's 'speckie' in St Kilda's win over Richmond for mark of the year.

Cameron Bruce gathered 39 possessions.

Captain James McDonald picked up 27 disposals and tallied 10 tackles in his 250th game.

Port's stand-in coach Matthew Primus has celebrated four wins from six games.

Final scores: Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) to Melbourne 11.17 (83)

Brownlow Medal winner of 2008 Adam Cooney injured a hamstring in the opening minutes of a dirty night for the Western Bulldogs against Sydney at the SCG.

The Bulldogs faded after a bright start to go down by 44 points to the Swans, who were fired up for coach Paul Roos and heart and soul Brett Kirk who farewelled the SCG in style.

Coach Rodney Eade blamed Cooney's injury on shifting turf in the forward pocket.

Impressive first year player Trent Dennis-Lane kicked four goals in a lively start.

Jude Bolton, Kieran Jack and Kirk also played well.

It was a night to forget for the off-the-boil Bulldogs.

Injury-plagued captain Brad Johnson suffered an achilles tendon injury.

Back pocket Dale Morris injured a shoulder and ruckman Ben Hudson may be cited for a heavy bump on Rising Starfavourite Daniel Hannebery.

Barry Hall kicked two goals and trails Richmond's Jack Riewoldt by six goals with one home and away round to be played. 

Final scores: Sydney 17.12 (114) to Western Bulldogs 10.10 (70) 

The Flagpies can't be knocked out of top spot.

The McCelland Trophy is headed to WestpaceStadium.

Collingwood is breathing a sigh of relief after pipping Adelaide by three points in a low-scoring game at the MCG.

Incredibly, the Maggies led for just nine minutes -  two minutes in the first quarter and seven in the last.

Inaccuracy plagued the premiership favourite (not for the first time this year).

Collingwood had 24 scoring shots to 16.

Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury were prolific possession gatherers.

Dale Thomas, Alan Didak, Brent Macaffer, Dane Swan and Jarryd Blair also played well.

For the Crows, Scott Thompson and Graham Johncock played splendidly.

The Flagpies have won nine games in a row for the first time since the famous premiership year of 1990.

Final scores: Collingwood 6.18 (54) to Adelaide 7.9 (51)

Lance Franklin booted five goals as Hawthorn smashed a woefully under-strength Fremantle by 116 points at Aurora Stadium.

But Brownlow Medal contender Luke Hodge suffered an injury along with Grant Birchall.

Jarryd Roughead and Shaun Burgoyne were among the goals.

It was one-way traffic from the first bounce.

The scores at three quarter-time were: 18.11 to 1.7.

Freo rested stars like Matthew Pavlich, David Mundy and Aaron Sandilands.

The Dockers are hoping to beat Carlton at Subiaco in the last round to make sure of a home final in the final week of the finals.

Final scores: Hawthorn 24.11 (155) to Fremantle 5.9 (39) 

Richmond's emerging superstar Jack Riewoldt may have blown the race for the coveted Coleman Medal skyhigh.

He booted seven goals in a brilliant effort as the Tigers gave premiership aspirant St Kilda a good run for its money at Etihad Stadium.

The young gun from Tasmania was awarded the Ian Stewart Medal for best-on-ground.

Riewoldt has booted 75 goals this year.

Western Bulldogs forward Barry Hall has 67 goals to his credit.

He plays against Sydney at the SCG tonight.

Much maligned forward Justin Koschitzke kicked five goals for the Saints.

He could prove an X Factor in the finals.

Nick Riewoldt chipped in with three goals.

Leigh Montagna finished with 42 possessions.

One-time AFL superstar Ben Cousins may have playedhis last game after injuring his left hamstring.

Final scores: St Kilda 17.13 (115) to Richmond 14.10 (94)

Is Gary Ablett is his way to back-to-back Brownlow Medal wins?

The champion No. 29 was outstanding in the second half as Geelong beat a determined Carlton by 42 points at Etihad Stadium.

Captaining the Cats for the first time, Ablett kicked three goals in the last quarter to finish with four after being well tagged by Andrew Carrazzo in the first half.

James Podsiadly was in fine form early and also kicked four goals.

But the "J Pod" is facing suspension after crashing into Bryce Gibbs late in the second quarter.

Certainly two weeks, maybe even three or four. 

Back pocket Josh Hunt's slam tackle on Jarrad Waite in the last quarter will also be looked at.

Second-gamer Daniel Menzel chipped in with three goals for the Cats.

Mitch Robinson, Lachie Henderson and Waite kicked three goals apiece for the Bluebaggers.

Bryce Gibbs and 100-gamer Marc Murphy played well for the Blues.

Paul Chapman gathered 33 possessions for the Cats with Joel Selwood accumulating 27 possessions.

The crowd was 45, 172.

Final scores: Geelong 18.13 (121) to Carlton 12.7 (79)