Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin has continued his blistering 2017 season by being voted the AFL Players’ Association MVP of the Month for June.
Martin received 31 per cent of the players’ votes, beating Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield (20 per cent) and Sydney captain Josh Kennedy (15 per cent).
Fellow midfielders Dayne Zorko, Zach Merrett and Dylan Shiel completed the six nominees put to the players by the expert panel.
Tim Watson, the 1989 AFLPA MVP winner, says Martin has been one of the best players in the competition in 2017.
“Martin has taken his game to a new level this season. Not only is he one of the league’s most influential players but he consistently plays at an elite level,” Watson said.
“What’s just as impressive is his ability to perform when there is so much discussion about his playing future and that speaks volumes of his maturity.
“Richmond are a genuine finals contender and with a player like Martin there’s no reason why they can’t go deep into September.”
Martin averaged more than 31 disposals, six clearances, seven inside 50s and kicked five goals from rounds 11 to 15, which earned him three perfect 10s from AFL coaches.
The 26-year-old is now automatically nominated for the end-of-season AFL Players’ Association MVP Award (Leigh Matthews Trophy).
Martin is joined by Adelaide’s Rory Sloane (March/April) and the GWS Giants’ Josh Kelly (May) who were previously voted as the MVP of the Month by their peers.
VOTING PROCESS
- The MVP winners (Leigh Matthews, Chris Judd, Gerard Healy and Tim Watson) nominate six players they believe to be the best for the month
- Current players will then vote to decide who they believe is the MVP of the Month from the six nominees
- The monthly winner is automatically nominated for the end-of-season AFL Players’ MVP Award (Leigh Matthews Trophy)
VOTING PERIODS
March/April — Rounds 1-6 — Rory Sloane
May — Rounds 7-10 — Josh Kelly
June — Rounds 11-15
July — Rounds 16-19
August — Rounds 20-23
Do YOU agree with the players’ choice for June? Have your say below!