GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield has broken through to win his first AFL Players' Association Most Valuable Player award after a brilliant first season with the Cats.
Dangerfield, 26, was the clear winner of the Leigh Matthews Trophy on 1369 votes. He finished ahead of former Adelaide teammate Rory Sloane (443) and Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin (297).
It has been a remarkable season for the Cat, who is also the overwhelming favourite to win the Brownlow Medal. He broke the record for most inside 50s in a home and away season, and was also among the top seven for disposals, contested possessions, clearances and goal assists.
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He received the award in front of more than 450 people at Peninsula in Docklands from Matthews and Fremantle's Nathan Fyfe, who was named MVP in each of the past two seasons.
Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn and Crows goalkicking sensation Eddie Betts shared fourth place with 238 votes.
Dangerfield said his season could barely have been any better, although he wanted to reserve his judgement until the end of the finals series.
"It's been a very seamless transition for myself. I've been very lucky to come to a wonderful football club in Geelong," Dangerfield said.
In a scary proposition for the rest of the competition, the Cat said he had not yet reached his best.
"I've got no doubt that I think I can improve," he said.
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With Dangerfield's Cats to face either the Crows or the Swans in a preliminary final, the MVP said he didn't have a preference about which team his side faces in the season's penultimate weekend.
"I've got friends at Adelaide that I'd love to see do well, but this time of the year, you've got to remove emotion, because it's about us, and us winning," he said.
The Brownlow will be awarded on the Monday before the Grand Final, but Dangerfield said he was concentrating solely on the team.
"It's not going to help us win. If it's not going to help us win, it's not something I'm concerned about," he said.
"The longer you play, the more you understand just how rare finals are. This is my ninth season. I've played in one preliminary before and I hated that feeling of losing it, and we did as a team at the time.
"I don't want to be there again."
That preliminary final loss was as a Crow in 2012, when Hawthorn won by five points.
Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker was named the best captain, ahead of evergreen St Kilda leader Nick Riewoldt and Greater Western Sydney co-captain Callan Ward.
Parker was considered the most courageous player for the second straight season. Ward finished second and Richmond's Alex Rance was third.
Callum Mills was voted the best first year player, in front of Essendon's Darcy Parish and Carlton's Jacob Weitering. Fellow Swan Isaac Heeney won the award last season.
Marcus Bontempelli was named captain of the 22Under22 team, as voted by the fans. He filled in as skipper for the Western Bulldogs on two occasions this year.
With the introduction of the national women's competition from next season, there will also be a women's MVP awarded from 2017.
The Cats superstar is a strong favourite to take out the Brownlow as well. Picture: AFL Photos
AFLPA MVP AWARD WINNERS AND VOTING
Most Valuable Player – Leigh Matthews Trophy
1. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) – 1369
2. Rory Sloane (Adelaide) – 443
3. Dustin Martin (Richmond) – 297
=4. Max Gawn (Melbourne) – 238
=4. Eddie Betts (Adelaide) – 238
6. Luke Parker (Sydney Swans) – 218
7. Alex Rance (Richmond) – 188
8. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) – 179
9. Tom Lynch (Gold Coast) – 170
10. Josh Kennedy (West Coast) – 164
Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award Luke Parker (Sydney Swans)
Best First Year Player Award Callum Mills (Sydney Swans)
Best Captain Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
'Tex' Walker has proven an outstanding leader at the Crows. Picture:AFL Photos
