CARLTON has cleaned up at the AFL Players' Association MVP Awards, with captain Patrick Cripps named Most Valuable Player and Sam Walsh winning Best First-Year Player.
There were also three Blues – Walsh, Jacob Weitering and Harry McKay – named in the AFLPA '22under22' team, the second most in the League behind Brisbane.
>> SEE THE FULL 22UNDER22 TEAM BELOW
Cripps was recognised by his peers as the game's best in season 2019, capping an outstanding individual campaign to become the first player in five years to win the award in a non-finals side and becoming Carlton's first MVP winner since Chris Judd in 2011.
"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."
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He averaged 28.1 disposals, 8.4 clearances and 6.2 tackles per game this season, enhancing his already strong reputation as one of the game's best contested players.
Cripps polled a total of 832 votes, some way clear of Geelong onballer Tim Kelly and Brisbane ball-magnet Lachie Neale in second and third place respectively.
Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy and Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe rounded out the top five.
All Australian captain Nat Fyfe finished fifth in the AFLPA MVP. Picture: AFL Photos
"Patrick has had a super season and his ability in contested situations is as good as any player I've seen," AFLPA President and Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield said.
"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 claimed the award after his young midfield teammate Walsh had already picked up the honour of being named as the competition's Best First-Year Player in season 2019.
Walsh, pick No.1 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, lived up to the hype this season to triple the number of votes of the second-placed Connor Rozee, with Sydney Stack finishing third.
Cripps had already come close to securing an award earlier in the evening, just pipped by West Coast's premiership skipper Shannon Hurn in voting for the AFL's Best Captain.
Scott Pendlebury finished third, with All Australian skipper Fyfe not voted in the top five.
Richmond defender Dylan Grimes was voted the AFL's Most Courageous player following another superb campaign, which was capped with his first All Australian blazer on Tuesday.
The AFLPA MVP has a two-step voting process.
In the first step, players voted for their teammates on a 3-2-1 basis, with the club's three highest polling players nominated for the overall MVP award, creating a 54-player shortlist across 18 teams.
In the second round, players voted for the MVP on a 3-2-1 basis - but could not vote for their teammates.
AFLPA MVP
1. Patrick Cripps (832)
2. Tim Kelly (519)
3. Lachie Neale (481)
4. Brodie Grundy (355)
5. Nat Fyfe (303)
Most Courageous
1. Dylan Grimes (146)
2. Mitch Robinson (105)
3. Jarryn Geary (78)
Best First-Year Player
1. Sam Walsh (400)
2. Connor Rozee (112)
3. Sydney Stack (62)
Best Captain
1. Shannon Hurn (171)
2. Patrick Cripps (128)
3. Scott Pendlebury (82)
