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AFL Players Association awards
Awards mainly given to Australian rules footballers
Awards mainly given to Australian rules footballers
The AFL Players Association (AFLPA) awards are a group of awards given annually, mainly to players in the Australian Football League and AFL Women's, voted for by all AFL and AFL Women's players.
Main awards
The AFLPA nominates the following as their main awards.
Most valuable player
In the VFL/AFL, the most valuable player award is named the Leigh Matthews Trophy. It has been awarded by the players to the best player of the season annually since 1982. It is the AFLPA equivalent of the Brownlow Medal (voted for by umpires), and a variety of media-sponsored MVP awards. Gary Ablett, Jr. (2007–09, 2012–13) is the only player to win the award five times, while Marcus Bontempelli (2021, 2023–24) has won the award three times. Greg Williams (1985, 1994), Wayne Carey (1995, 1998), Michael Voss (2002, 2003), Chris Judd (2006, 2011) and Nat Fyfe (2014, 2015) have won the award twice.
In the AFL Women's, it has been awarded since the inaugural season in 2017. Erin Phillips and Jasmine Garner are the only two players to win the award on multiple occasions.
VFL/AFL (Leigh Matthews Trophy) Main article: Leigh Matthews Trophy
| Season | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | ||
| 1983 | ||
| 1984 | ||
| 1985 | ||
| 1986 | ||
| 1987 | ||
| 1988 | ||
| 1989 | ||
| 1990 | ||
| 1991 | ||
| 1992 | ||
| 1993 | ||
| 1994 | (2) | |
| 1995 | ||
| 1996 | ||
| 1997 | ||
| 1998 | (2) | |
| 1999 | ||
| 2000 | ||
| 2001 | ||
| 2002 | ||
| 2003 | (2) | |
| 2004 | ||
| 2005 | ||
| 2006 | ||
| 2007 | ||
| 2008 | (2) | |
| 2009 | (3) | |
| 2010 | ||
| 2011 | (2) | |
| 2012 | (4) | |
| 2013 | (5) | |
| 2014 | ||
| 2015 | (2) | |
| 2016 | ||
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 | ||
| 2023 | (2) | |
| 2024 | (3) | |
| 2025 |
AFL Women's
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | (2) | |
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 (S6) | ||
| 2022 (S7) | ||
| 2023 | (2) | |
| 2024 | ||
| 2025 | (3) |
Best captain
In the VFL/AFL, the best captain award was given sporadically from 1986 until 1997, and has been given annually since 1998. Michael Voss won the award four times from 2001 to 2004, the most of any player.
In the AFL Women's, the award has been given since the inaugural season in 2017. Daisy Pearce holds the record for most wins with four, in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022 (S6).
VFL/AFL
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | ||
| 1987 | ||
| 1988 | ||
| 1989 | ||
| 1990 | ||
| 1991 | ||
| 1992 | ||
| 1993 | ||
| 1994 | (2) | |
| 1995 | ||
| 1996 | ||
| 1997 | ||
| 1998 | (2) | |
| 1999 | ||
| 2000 | (3) | |
| 2001 | ||
| 2002 | (2) | |
| 2003 | (3) | |
| 2004 | (4) | |
| 2005 | ||
| 2006 | (2) | |
| 2007 | ||
| 2008 | ||
| 2009 | (2) | |
| 2010 | ||
| 2011 | ||
| 2012 | ||
| 2013 | ||
| 2014 | ||
| 2015 | ||
| 2016 | ||
| 2017 | (2) | |
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 | (2) | |
| 2023 | (2) | |
| 2024 | (3) | |
| 2025 |
AFL Women's
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | (2) | |
| 2019 | ||
| 2020 | (3) | |
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 (S6) | (4) | |
| 2022 (S7) | ||
| 2023 | ||
| 2024 | ||
| 2025 |
Best first-year player
In the AFL, this award has been given annually since 1998. It is awarded to the best adjudged player who is in his first year on an AFL list. The eligibility for the award is different from the AFL's other main award for the best performing young player, the AFL Rising Star, which can be won by any player aged under 21 as of 1 January that year, and who has not played more than ten matches before the start of the season. Michael Barlow, for example, won the award in 2010 but was not eligible for the Rising Star. Brownlow Medallists Adam Goodes and Chris Judd have both won the award in the past.
In the AFL Women's, the award has been given since the second season in 2018. There is a similarly decreased focus on youth—for example, Richmond's Eilish Sheerin won the award in 2022 (S7) at the age of 30.
AFL
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | ||
| 1999 | ||
| 2000 | ||
| 2001 | ||
| 2002 | ||
| 2003 | ||
| 2004 | ||
| 2005 | ||
| 2006 | ||
| 2007 | ||
| 2008 | ||
| 2009 | ||
| 2010 | ||
| 2011 | ||
| 2012 | ||
| 2013 | ||
| 2014 | ||
| 2015 | ||
| 2016 | ||
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 | ||
| 2023 | ||
| 2024 | ||
| 2025 |
AFL Women's
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 (S6) | ||
| 2022 (S7) | ||
| 2023 | ||
| 2024 | ||
| 2025 |
Most courageous player
In the AFL, the award for most courageous player is called the Robert Rose Award. It has been awarded annually since 1991 to the most courageous player in the league. The award is named after the Australian sportsman Robert Rose, who became a quadriplegic in 1974 after a car accident. Glenn Archer has won the award most often (with six wins), while Paul Kelly won it five times, including four consecutively from 1994 to 1997. Jonathan Brown won the award in 2007, 2008 and 2011. In 2009, Joel Selwood won the award for the first time, and then won it three consecutive times from 2012 to 2014.
In the AFL Women's, the award has been given since the inaugural season in 2017. Chelsea Randall has won the award six times (in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 (S7) and 2024), the most of any player.
VFL/AFL (Robert Rose Award)
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | ||
| 1992 | (2) | |
| 1993 | ||
| 1994 | ||
| 1995 | (2) | |
| 1996 | (3) | |
| 1997 | (4) | |
| 1998 | ||
| 1999 | (2) | |
| 2000 | (5) | |
| 2001 | ||
| 2002 | (3) | |
| 2003 | (4) | |
| 2004 | ||
| 2005 | (5) | |
| 2006 | (6) | |
| 2007 | ||
| 2008 | (2) | |
| 2009 | ||
| 2010 | ||
| 2011 | (3) | |
| 2012 | (2) | |
| 2013 | (3) | |
| 2014 | (4) | |
| 2015 | ||
| 2016 | (2) | |
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 | ||
| 2023 | ||
| 2024 | (2) | |
| 2025 |
AFL Women's
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | (2) | |
| 2019 | (3) | |
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | (4) | |
| 2022 (S6) | ||
| 2022 (S7) | (5) | |
| 2023 | ||
| 2024 | (6) | |
| 2025 | (2) |
Other awards
The following awards are also currently or have previously been presented by the AFLPA.
Marn Grook Award
Named after the Indigenous game Marn Grook, the award was presented annually from 2001 to 2007 for the top emerging Indigenous player in the game, who must be within their first three seasons of AFL competition.
Winners
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | ||
| Dean Rioli | Essendon | |
| 2002 | ||
| 2003 | ||
| 2004 | ||
| 2005 | ||
| 2006 | ||
| 2007 |
Grant Hattam Award
The Grant Hattam Award has been awarded annually since 1999 to the most outstanding piece of football journalism for that year as voted by the players. All forms of media from all around Australia, covering the AFL, AFL Women's or any other football topic, are eligible for the award.
The award was created in honour and memory of the late Grant Hattam, who was a leading sports and media lawyer.
| Year | Journalist | Outlet | Nominated work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | ** | ||
| 2000 | Herald Sun | ||
| 2001 | ** | ||
| 2002 | (2) | Herald Sun | "The importance of being honest", newspaper article on Essendon's Dean Rioli |
| 2003 | Herald Sun | "Search for Cole comfort", newspaper article on Collingwood's Richard Cole | |
| 2004 | ** | ||
| 2005 | Herald Sun | ||
| 2006 | Fox Footy Channel | Headliners: The Peter Crimmins Story, two-part television documentary series on late Hawthorn champion Peter Crimmins | |
| 2007 | ** | ||
| 2008 | Herald Sun | "Champ tells how he beat the odds", newspaper article on Adelaide midfielder Simon Goodwin's gambling addiction | |
| 2009 | ** | "A street named desire", newspaper article on then draft hopefuls Chris Yarran, Michael Walters and Nic Naitanui | |
| 2010 | Herald Sun | "'I cried for hours'", newspaper article on Geelong forward Mathew Stokes' battle with drugs | |
| 2011 | Herald Sun | "The tyranny of distance" / "The red centre's angry boys", two-part newspaper article on the plight of Indigenous footballers | |
| 2012 | (2) | ** | "Short stories", newspaper article on the careers of Collingwood's Tom Hunter, St Kilda's Jarryd Allen and Essendon's Darcy Daniher |
| 2013 | Saturday Night Footy (Seven Sport) | #Discovered: Jeremy Cameron, television feature piece on a day in the life of Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremy Cameron | |
| 2014 | (2) | ** (2) | "On a wing and a prayer with footy's faithful", newspaper article on the professional footballers who regularly practice religion |
| 2015 | Western Bulldogs | Sons of the West, five-part web documentary series on Robert Murphy and the Western Bulldogs' 2015 season | |
| 2016 | (3) | ** | "'I needed to see what else was in the world'", newspaper article on Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti |
| 2017 | Fox Footy | Fyfe, six-part television documentary series on Fremantle midfielder Nat Fyfe's return from injury | |
| 2018 | Fox Footy | On the Mark with Hugh Greenwood, television feature piece on Adelaide midfielder Hugh Greenwood's ill mother | |
| 2019 | (3) | ** | "A feast of footy, family and religion", newspaper article on Essendon defender Adam Saad's practice of religion |
| 2020 | ABC News | "The persecution of Robert Muir is the story football doesn't want to hear", web article on the racial abuse and mistreatment of former St Kilda midfielder Robbie Muir | |
| 2021 | ** | "It's a journey of discovery for us", newspaper article on North Melbourne players Kaitlyn Ashmore and Mia King's discovery of their Indigenous heritage | |
| 2022 | Thursday Night Football (Seven Sport) | Interview with Carlton player Sam Docherty on his return to football after having cancer | |
| 2023 | AFL Media | "'I'm a better mum because of it': Inside Garing's return to footy", web article on Geelong player Renee Garing's return to football after giving birth | |
| 2024 | Herald Sun | Geelong]] player Meg McDonald and her late father | |
| 2025 | AFL Media | "For two hours each Monday, this Bulldogs champion helps kids with their homework", web article on player Tom Liberatore helping students with homework |
Education and Training Excellence Award
The Education and Training Excellence Award has been given annually since 2001 to the player who displays the best all-round performance in balancing football with external education and training. From 2001 to 2016, it was awarded to AFL players only. Since 2017, the award has been presented to at least one winner from both the AFL and AFL Women's each year.
AFL
| Year | Player | Club | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | ||||||||
| 2002 | ||||||||
| 2003 | ||||||||
| 2004 | ||||||||
| 2005 | ||||||||
| 2006 | ||||||||
| 2007 | ||||||||
| 2008 | ||||||||
| 2009 | ||||||||
| 2010 | ||||||||
| 2011 | ||||||||
| 2012 | ||||||||
| 2013 | ||||||||
| 2014 | ||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||
| url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/forth-curnow-maximising-their-chance/ | title=Forth & Curnow maximising their chance | date=12 September 2017 | work=AFLPA | access-date=16 October 2018 | language=en-GB}} | |||
| last=O'Connor | first=Brynn | date=2018-08-30 | title=Mundy and Ernst creating waves outside of football | url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/mundy-and-ernst-creating-waves-outside-of-football/ | access-date=2020-09-22 | website=AFLPA}} | ||
| last=Di Pietro | first=Kavisha | date=2019-08-29 | title=Smith and Gillespie-Jones are top of the class | url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/smith-and-gillespie-jones-are-top-of-the-class/ | access-date=2020-09-22 | website=AFLPA}} | ||
| 2020 | ||||||||
| title='Bont' crowned players' best | url=https://www.aflplayers.com.au/news-feed/stories/bont-crowned-players-best | publisher=AFL Players Association | last=Beaton | first=Bobby | date=2 September 2021 | access-date=31 August 2023}} | ||
| title=2022 AFL Player's annual report | url=https://www.aflplayers.com.au/app/uploads/2023/04/2022_Annual-Report_final5.pdf | publisher=AFL Players' Association | pages=30–31 | date=2022 | access-date=31 August 2023}} | |||
| 2023 | ||||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||
| 2025 |
AFL Women's
| Year | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 | ||
| 2023 | ||
| 2024 | ||
| 2025 |
22 Under 22 team
Main article: 22 Under 22 team
Each season, the AFLPA also names the 22 Under 22 team for both the AFL and AFL Women's. These are full teams of 22 (AFL) or 21 (AFL Women's) players. The AFLPA selects a team of 40, before the final team is selected by fans. To be eligible for selection, players must be aged 22 or under for the entire season (including finals). In the AFL, the first team was named in 2013, with a respective team also named for the 2012 season. In the AFL Women's, the first team was named in 2020, with a respective team named which covered the first three seasons from 2017 to 2019.
Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarships
Awarded annually to young aspiring non-AFL players, attempting to help them balance external study and training with football training.
References
References
- (26 June 2015). "Who is the AFL's best young gun?". AFLplayers.com.au.
- (29 April 2015). "Who is eligible for the NAB AFL Rising Star award?". [[Bigpond]].
- [http://aflpa.com.au/articleimage/rhys-palmer-wins-best-first-year-player AFL Players' Association - Rhys Palmer wins Best First Year Player] {{webarchive. link. (January 6, 2009)
- (11 September 2001). "Rioli wins inaugural Marn Grook Award - essendonfc.com.au". essendonfc.com.au.
- aflplayers. "Congratulations to @theTiserSport's @lizwalsh77 on being awarded the Grant Hattam Award for Journalism Excellence, proudly presented by @ThomsonGeer, for her story on @NorthAFLW's @kaitashmore and Mia King.".
- Beaton, Bobby. (24 August 2022). "More than Andy: Brayshaw wins MVP award". [[AFL Players Association]].
- aflplayers. "Congratulations to AFL Media's Sarah Black who is the recipient of the Grant Hattam Award for her story on Renee Garing's return to football. #AFLPAMVP23".
- aflplayers. "Congratulations to @theheraldsun's Lauren Wood (@LaurenHeraldSun), on taking out the Grant Hattam Award.".
- (28 August 2025). "AFL.com.au's Josh Gabelich wins AFLPA's Grant Hattam Award".
- (29 September 2007). "Ablett wins another award for Geelong".
- Hogg, Alistair. (9 September 2008). "Blake honoured with AFLPA award - saints.com.au". saints.com.au.
- Williams, Rebecca. (8 September 2009). "Joel Selwood lauded for his bravery".
- (7 September 2010). "Kirk recognised by peers - sydneyswans.com.au". sydneyswans.com.au.
- (13 September 2011). "Heppell and Slattery win AFLPA Awards". essendonfc.com.au.
- (12 September 2012). "Cameron voted AFLPA Best First Year Player - GWSGIANTS.com.au". gwsgiants.com.au.
- (11 September 2013). "Boyd wins Education award at AFLPA MVP - westernbulldogs.com.au". westernbulldogs.com.au.
- Phelan, Jennifer. (9 September 2014). "AFLPA awards: Nat Fyfe rated best by his peers - AFL.com.au". afl.com.au.
- (16 September 2015). "Swans clean up at AFLPA Awards - sydneyswans.com.au". sydneyswans.com.au.
- Legg, Simon. (13 September 2016). "Macmillan Finds His Work-Life Balance". AFLPA.
- (12 September 2017). "Forth & Curnow maximising their chance". AFLPA.
- O'Connor, Brynn. (2018-08-30). "Mundy and Ernst creating waves outside of football".
- Di Pietro, Kavisha. (2019-08-29). "Smith and Gillespie-Jones are top of the class".
- Guthrie, Ben. (2020-09-22). "It's all academic for Taylor, Goldstein and Birch".
- Beaton, Bobby. (2 September 2021). "'Bont' crowned players' best". [[AFL Players Association]].
- (2022). "2022 AFL Player's annual report". [[AFL Players' Association]].
- (30 August 2023). "Fox wins AFLPA Education and Training". [[Sydney Swans]].
- aflplayers. "Congratulations to Noah Answerth, the 2024 Education and Training Excellence Award winner, presented by @torrensuni 👏 Currently completing a Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology, Noah has displayed a strong discipline and commitment to his football and trade.".
- (28 August 2025). "Players vote Daicos their best".
- "Alexia Hamilton". Australian Football.
- (5 December 2023). "Second MVP gong for star Garner".
- (26 November 2024). "Masterful Marinoff leads SA MVP takeover".
- Kyle, Lisa. (25 November 2025). "Record-breaking Garner a three-time MVP".
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