Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has claimed the Leigh Matthews Trophy after being chosen by his peers as the AFLPA’s Most Valuable Player.
Cripps received 832 votes to comfortably win the honour on Thursday ahead of Geelong’s Tim Kelly (519).
Brisbane’s Lachie Neale (481), Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy (355) and Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe (303) rounded out the top five.
“It’s one of those moments where you will look back at the end of your career and be really proud,” Cripps said.
“I actually had my family come over, which I did not realise until I walked in today.
“So that was pretty exciting to see and I think just to get voted by your peers who you play against – there’s probably not a more (prestigious award) in terms of respect.”
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
The midfielder, who was named in the All-Australian team on Wednesday, led the league for clearances and averaged 2 8 disposals, 8.5 clearances, 6.2 tackles and 17 contested possessions per game.
“Patrick has had a super season and his ability in contested situations is as good as any player I’ve seen,” said AFLPA president and Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield via in a statement.
“As a midfielder, he can do it all on the inside and outside and, with his huge frame, he’s like a key forward in the air.
“His ability to back it up week after week despite an up-and-down season for the Blues is a huge reason he’s been able to secure the MVP.”
Cripps was also the first player to claim the award while playing for a team that finished outside the top eight since Gary Ablett in 2014.
Cripps’ team-mate Sam Walsh comfortably claimed the best first year player award, with the AFL Rising Star favourite receiving 400 votes to finish above Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee (112 votes) and Richmond revelation Sydney Stack (62 votes).
Walsh broke the AFL record for disposals by a first-year player, averaging 25.2 touches, 3.2 clearances and 5.1 marks across his 22-game debut season.
West Coast premiership skipper Shannon Hurn was named best captain with 171 votes, ahead of Cripps (128).
Richmond defender Dylan Grimes was named most courageous player (146 votes), while Brisbane winger Mitch Robinson (105) was runner-up.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Hurn winning more awards, just cause Hurn is Hurn.
Johnno
Guest
To say that the players you mention have taken their clubs further....I think Crippps has taken his club further than the others. Just because Carlton didn’t make the finals doesn’t mean Cripps wasn’t more value to his side. It’s just the other players you mention, their team had greater depth. If we go with your view , the higher your team finishes, the greater value you are. Players who play in sides that don’t make the finals can’t win the award. No logic in that at all.
Dankswonderelixir
Guest
Maxine the only opinion that matters here is that of the players and their view is decisive compared to your petty little comments and views. Cripps 832 votes next best Tim Kelly with 519 votes. 313 more votes than the next best in Tim Kelly. A decisive vote by the players and they are the ones that know best.
Macca
Roar Rookie
It is an opinion website but just as you are entitled to your opinion we are entitled to challenge it, and as with my antivaxxer analogy, when an opinion is challenged we can tell it's worth. The fact you keep falling back on "it's just an opinion" and claiming gender discrimination are just 2 reasons your opinion, in this instance, isn't worth much.
Maxine
Guest
Thanks Col.
Maxine
Guest
Thanks Col :laughing:
Maxine
Guest
yes col/macca,pretty suss you accuse everyone of being someone else? Anyway,I've said Cripps has massive potential. And I didn't vote,I just said an opinion on what I thought was an opinion website.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Giving an opinion is saying something. The concept that you can hide any rubbish comment behind "it's just an opinion" is a fallacy.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't that be Yeo? He takes up three players' salaries as it is
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Maxine the question I asked you was did the players who voted for Dangerfield, Martin and Mitchell get it wrong this year because they voted for Cripps - simple question.
Maxine
Guest
Hi col...isn't Martin a premiership player and Dangerfield played finals? I think you're just watching footy on tv from sunny Queensland. Like I've said,great kid Cripps but I don't think he has ever even played in a final? And I'm not saying anything,just giving an opinion that Cripps isn't ready for such awards. Seems the blues fans are so punch drunk from failure that opinions seem personal.
Maxine
Guest
Kane..I certainly think Cripps has potential,ive said that multiple times.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
So Maxine, the past 3 MVP winners were Tom Mitchell, Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield, all voted MVP by most of the same players that voted for Cripps. So are you saying that those 3 players were not worthy winners or did the players that voted for Cripps get it wrong?
Macca
Roar Rookie
You do realise Maxine that Kane has made the same argument about player knowing better than us mere mortals to male posters as well, trying to play the gender card is pathetic.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Maxine - I compare you opinion on Cripps having "potential" and not a "worthy winner" to an anti vaxxer. The medical professionals (players, coaches, media and I expect umpires) all think vaccinations are essential ( ie he is one of, if not the, best players in the competition), the majority of the population agree with them and then there are the anti vaxxers, who are certainly entitled to their opinion but the rest of us are entitled to point out that it is absurd.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Well according to Maxine theory this award has been handed out way to early, the winner of this award should go to the Norm Smith medalist, which would then be voted by a couple old footballers and some Journalists as Maxine has stated it should only be won by the footballer who brings great success and the only success in this game is a Grand Final - Runner up gets pick 17 So, Maxine the players wouldn't have a vote ON who THEY think is the Most Valuable Player, which is award for player BY players this isn't about your opinion and it seems foolish to suggest that what you think should be right. 1st place: Cripps 832 votes. (won by 313 votes which the players only get to vote on) 2nd place: Tim Kelly 519 votes. (lost by 314 votes which the players only get to vote on) 3rd Place: Lachie Neale 481 votes. (lost by 351 votes which the players only get to vote on)
Kane
Roar Rookie
but,but,but what? You said he wasn't a worthy winner even though his peers voted him to be. Not much sense getting spoken. But hey, just accuse me of gender bashing to make yourself feel better.
Maxine
Guest
Kane..but,but,but...we've heard it all before. I've clearly said,multiple times,that Cripps could potentially be a great AFL footballer.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Good to see you think a player many regard as the best in the comp as having potential, keep an eye out for that Skilton lad, word is he can play a bit.
Kane
Roar Rookie
This has nothing to do with gender and to even raise it is just silliness. I’m calling your comments embarrassing and ignorant not women in general. I’m married to a female with a daughter, I also have a mother and 2 sisters that I love and respect all dearly so to accuse me of having a crack at you because of your gender is even more embarrassing.