Nathan Fyfe has broken Gary Ablett’s stranglehold on the AFLPA’s MVP award, describing the accolade as humbling and embarrassing.
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.
“Extremely humbling and a little bit embarrassing to be honest, looking at some of the other names up there,” Fyfe said.
“Along with a premiership, I think it’s the highest achievement you can receive.
“Everyone still acknowledges Gary Ablett is the best player in the game.”
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.
“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.
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.
22-Under 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.
Michael huston
Guest
Not for the AA. He's on the interchange for me. The three I mentioned are the definite locks, though Ablett making it would not surprise me nor would it be undeserved, just he's behind that three IMO.
johno
Guest
No Ablett?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Yeah Peter that headline is pretty ordinary, more quality work from the Worst. I'd be happy to wait a few years on the captaincy, but he'd be great to have as the on-field leader post-Pav.
Michael huston
Guest
Good job to Fyfe, he's a tremendous talent. This will no doubt lock him in for the All Australian team. Unbelievably, theres actually plenty of people who don't have him in the center! As far as I'm concerned, Fyfe, Selwood and Kennedy are the three locks. They've been outstanding this year.
johno
Guest
Intertesting that the Age yesterday didn't even rate Fyfe a chance - http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/its-not-the-brownlow-but-the-players-association-mvp-has-serious-clout-20140909-10ea9m.html
johno
Guest
Definitely the most obvious choice at the moment - leads by example on the field and seems like a level headed guy off it.
Franko
Guest
List including the also rans, interesting to note no individual from Hawthorn despite being the best (or second best) in the comp... Nat Fyfe (Fremantle) Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans) Dyson Heppell (Essendon) Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans) Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions) Joel Selwood (Geelong) Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
This is great for football and a mark of the Man. Well done Nathan Fyfe. He joins some big names. Ablett (5 wins) Judd (2), Swan, Cousins and Voss, notable Brownlow Medalists over the past 14 seasons. One of those won't be too far away for him. I have to laugh at Duffields article on the back page of the West, titled "Better Than Buddy". I wonder if he picked the heading? Yep, he did beat Buddy but probably was always going to. The votes show he had a consistent season from start to finish rather than shining in a handful of games like Franklin did. Interesting to note the last forward to win the award was Riewoldt a decade ago, and the next one was Carey in 95. The midfielders and captains have dominated the award over time. Which makes this one a bit of a standout. Do the Freo supporters think Leadership could be on the cards?
johno
Guest
Terrific for Fyfe and it is definitely an award worthy of a great season. To be voted by his peers as the MVP is a great endorsement of his quality. that he's signed another 3 years to Freo and is only 22 is fantastic, seeing as Mundy, Barlow, Neale, Hill, Pearce, Sutcliffe, Mzungu and others in the Freo midfield will be there with him for the next 3 years bodes well for Freo,
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Congratulations Fyfe - some great players have their name to this award. Could we be seeing a changing of the guard? I see this man potentially becoming as good as the great man in Ablett. Absolute superstar in the making.
Balthazar
Guest
Well done Fyfey, you're a star. Pity you didn't get the Coaches Association quinella Brilliant footballer, pilot, firefighter, roadtrain driver... Freo is very lucky to have you. So glad Phil Smart stood up to Harves, otherwise god forbid you could be in blue and yella now