Bulldogs’ skipper Marcus Bontempelli has joined rare company in securing his third AFL Players’ Most Valuable Player award.
He sits alongside Gary Ablett Jnr as the only player to win the Leigh Matthews Trophy three times in the award’s 43-year history.
Bontempelli averaged 26 disposals and kicked 31 goals in his 23 matches this year, finishing the home and away season ranked in the top seven players for contested possessions, clearances, inside 50s, and goal assists.
The 28-year-old, who was presented with the Leigh Matthews Trophy in front of friends, family and peers at an industry-wide event on Thursday night, edged out 2019 MVP Award winner Patrick Cripps and dynamic Swan Isaac Heeney.
The midfielder was proud to claim the honour again, voted as the best by his peers.
“It’s an extraordinary honour,” Bontempelli said.
“To be alongside some of the other names on the plaque is a cherished achievement that I care about.
“I’m not even close to Gary Ablett, which goes to show the type of player he was for such a long period of time. But to be in the same conversation, while hard to get my head around, is an honour and one that will continue to find meaning long after my career is finished.
“I couldn’t be more grateful.”
The evening at Melbourne Park’s Centrepiece combined the AFLPA MVP Awards, AFL Rising Star, All Australian team and AFL Coaches Association Awards.
Bontempelli was also voted Best Captain, presented by The Diamond Guys, for a third time, ahead of fellow leaders Cripps and Zach Merrett.
Leigh Matthews Trophy for the Most Valuable Player, presented by Snaffle
- Marcus Bontempelli
- Patrick Cripps
- Isaac Heeney
- Nick Daicos
- Jesse Hogan
