The AFL Players' Association announced its peer-determined award nominees today, with the winners to be announced on Tuesday, 11 September.

Freo stars Matthew Pavlich, Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson were all nominated for the AFLPA’s Most Valuable Player award, the Leigh Matthews Trophy.

Matt de Boer’s fearless approach to the game was also recognised with a nomination for the Robert Rose Most Courageous award, while Lachie Neale was among those chosen to vie for the Best First Year Player, which Michael Barlow won in 2010.

Pavlich is also a strong fancy to take out the Best Captain award following his tremendous season.

AFL Players’ Association President Luke Ball said that while the award continues to grow in stature publicly, it has always been considered one of the highest honours in the game amongst the playing group because it reflects the respect a player has amongst his peers.

“Players strive for the respect of their peers, and unlike other awards the MVP is determined by the men who take to the field alongside you each week. Players have insight into what occurs behind the scenes as well as in the clinches, so we are very well positioned to judge the Most Valuable Player in the league,” Ball said.

“When you review the winners of the past 30 years, you’re reflecting on players you’ve grown up idolising. To have the opportunity to have your name alongside these players is such an incredible honour.”

THE VOTING PROCESS:


The MVP voting is a two stage process, beginning with each player voting for the three teammates he considers to have been the most valuable this season. Each club’ votes are then tallied to form a nomination list comprising 54 players across the 18 teams.

Then, in the second round of voting, all AFL players vote for their MVP on a 3, 2, 1 basis from amongst the nominees from all 17 other clubs. The votes are tallied, and the player with the highest score wins the honour of MVP.

The 2012 AFL Players’ Association MVP Award Winners will be announced on Tuesday 11 September at Peninsula, Shed 14 Central Pier, Docklands and will be broadcast exclusively on Fox Footy Channel at 7.30pm (WST)