The sensational seasons of three Magpies have been recognised with nominations for the AFL Players Association Most Valuable Player award.
Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy and Steele Sidebottom have all been selected by their peers and will be in the running for the overall award when an announcement is made on Thursday 30 August.
Jaidyn Stephenson will be a strong favourite to win the Best First Year award, while midfielder Taylor Adams is in the running for Most Courageous Player.
While Grundy’s rise to prominence sees him nominated for the first time, Pendlebury has come close to winning the AFLPA MVP in the past. The Collingwood captain was a runner-up in 2011, before placing fourth in 2013.
Darren Millane (1990) and Dane Swan (2010) are the Magpies’ previous MVP winners, while Tony Shaw won Best Captain in 1990 and Gavin Brown took home Most Courageous Player in 1991 and 1992.
AFLPA Most Valuable Player nominees
Scott Pendlebury
- 314 handballs (#6 in AFL)
- 344 uncontested possessions (#14 in AFL)
- 119 tackles (#16 in AFL)
Steele Sidebottom
- 619 disposals (#4 in AFL)
- 343 handballs (#5 in AFL)
- 412 uncontested possessions (#4 in AFL)
- 88 inside 50s (#18 in AFL)
Brodie Grundy
- 263 contested possessions (#11 in AFL)
- 126 hard ball gets (#4 in AFL)
- 814 hit outs (#2 in AFL)
- 262 hit outs to advantage (#2 in AFL)
- 116 clearances (#10 in AFL)
- 26 contested marks (#19 in AFL)
- 434 disposals (#1 ruckman in AFL)
- 263 contested possessions (#1 ruckman in AFL)
- 116 clearances (#1 ruckman in AFL)
Brodie Grundy's outstanding season in the ruck has been recognised by his peers. Image: AFL Photos.
