The Gary Ayres Medal votes and winner are announced after the AFL finals series concludes, including the Grand Final. Votes are given by the coaches after each finals game, and the announcement of the winner, along with the preliminary and Grand Final votes, happens following the Grand Final. For example, in 2025, the Gary Ayres Medal winner, Will Ashcroft from Brisbane, was announced after the Grand Final which took place in late September. The announcement includes a full leaderboard and vote breakdown, reflecting the weighted voting system where Grand Final votes receive a 1.5x boost.
So, the Gary Ayres Medal is typically announced in late September or early October, right after the AFL Grand Final.
