Nat Fyfe has broken Gary Ablett’s stranglehold on the AFLPA’s MVP award, earning the ultimate in peer approval.
Fyfe is ineligible for the Brownlow medal due to suspension, but the Fremantle on-baller collected the next best thing on Tuesday night when he was presented with the Leigh Matthews trophy.
The award is organised by the AFL Players Association, with players voting on a 3,2,1 basis from a pool of nominees outside their own club.
Fyfe polled 945 votes to finish ahead of Ablett (787 votes) and Sydney superstar Lance Franklin (428 votes).
Ablett has been crowned MVP a record five times and was very much in contention to make it a third consecutive trophy.
Fyfe, preparing for the Dockers’ semi-final against Port Adelaide, was unable to attend the ceremony in Melbourne.
Fremantle captain and AFLPA vice-president Matthew Pavlich presented him the award in Perth.
AFLPA president Luke Ball paid tribute to the classy clearance machine.
“I think it comes as no surprise that Nat has won his first MVP, with the season he has had,” Ball said.
“At just 22 years of age, he’s had a standout year and this was rewarded with being named in the All-Australian squad of 40.
“To be recognised by the 800 players who voted showcases just how much value is placed on this award and Nat’s performance this year is a reflection of that.”
Brownlow Medal favourite Joel Selwood finished eight in the MVP count, but the Geelong captain took home his fourth Robert Rose Most Courageous award.
Selwood finished second in the Best Captain poll, which was topped by Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge.
Marcus Bontempelli, who came up one vote short in last week’s Rising Star count, was named the AFLPA’s Best First Year Player.
The union’s under-22 team was also revealed on Tuesday night, with fans voting in six Gold Coast young guns.
Essendon’s Dyson Heppell, who finished fourth in the overall MVP count, was named captain of the all-star youth outfit for the second year in a row.
AFLPA AWARD WINNERS:
Leigh Matthews Trophy for MVP: Nat Fyfe (945 votes)
Robert Rose Most Courageous Award: Joel Selwood
Best First Year Player: Marcus Bontempelli
Best Captain: Luke Hodge
Education and Training Excellence Award: Jonathon Griffin
Grant Hattam Trophy for Excellence in Sports Journalism: Michael Gleeson.
22Under22 team:
B: Tom Langdon, Daniel Talia, Trent McKenzie
HB: Brodie Smith, Steven May, Kade Kolodjashnij
C: Luke Parker, Dyson Heppell (capt), Adam Treloar
HF: Harley Bennell, Jack Darling, Marcus Bontempelli
F: Chad Wingard, Jack Gunston (vice-capt), Jamie Elliott
R: Jarrod Witts, Tom Liberatore, Dion Prestia
I: Luke McDonald, David Swallow, Brandon Ellis, Jake Carlisle.
