Three Western Bulldogs are in contention to be named the AFL's Most Valuable Player for Season 2012, following the announcement of nominees for the peer-determined award by the AFL Players' Association earlier today.
Captain Matthew Boyd, midfielder Ryan Griffen, and All-Australian half-back Robert Murphy have all received nominations for the AFL industry’s foremost peer-determined award, the Leigh Matthews Trophy.
Alongside the Bulldogs trio, some of the game's elite including Gary Ablett Jnr, Jobe Watson, Scott Pendlebury, Joel Selwood and Lance Franklin are amongst the nominees for the coveted honour.
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," said Ball.
"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.
“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.”
A further two Bulldogs have received nominations for other awards to be presented on the night. Daniel Cross has again been nominated for the Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award, while 2011 first round draft pick Clay Smith has been nominated in the Best First Year Player category.
Matthew Boyd has received a second nomination for the Best Captain Award.
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 9.30pm.
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.
View Matthew Boyd's player profile and Season 2012 stats.
