The AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) is pleased to announce the 48 players nominated by their teammates as the most valuable in the competition this year.

Every AFL player voted for the three teammates whose form warranted consideration for the prestigious Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Now all AFL players will vote as to which of the 48 nominees (three from each club) deserves to be this years Most Valuable Player. Players cannot vote for their own teammates.

Each player will also vote on the other award categories: Most Courageous Player, Best First Year Player and the Best Captain.

The AFLPA Most Valuable Player Awards are the only awards determined by players themselves. The winner will be announced on Monday 7 September at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 from 9.30pm.

This year’s nominations include an impressive list of return nominees and first time nominations, and some interesting inclusions across all categories.  The awards to be presented are as follows:

The Most Valuable Player (Leigh Matthews Trophy) – Since it was first awarded to Leigh Matthews in 1982, the MVP has been won by true champions of the competition. Versatility, ability to play under pressure, skill, leadership, courage, respect for all players, and overall value to a team, are all qualities found in the MVP.

The Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award: The recipients of the Robert Rose ‘Most Courageous Player Award’ are selfless, committed and fiercely loyal.

The Best Captain Award: Each captain has identifiable qualities which have made them team leaders.  Given the opportunity, most players would not hesitate to say their captain is the best in the league.  But what if they had to vote for any captain but their own?

The Best First Year Player Award: The AFLPA recognize the difficulty first year players must overcome and as such struck the Best First Year Player Award in 1999.

The AFLPA MVP Awards will be screened exclusively on Fox Sports 1 at 9:30pm Monday 7 September 2009.

The following players have been nominate

Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player
Dane Swan
Simon Prestigiacomo
Alan Didak

Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player
Nick Maxwell

Best First Year Player Award
Dayne Beams

Best Captain Award
Nick Maxwell