The AFLPA has named Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards and Tom Liberatore as the Western Bulldogs’ three nominees for the 2025 Most Valuable Player Award.

The MVP Award – the Leigh Matthews Trophy – is a player-voted honour which acknowledges the players’ player for the season.

Bontempelli is a three-time and reigning winner (2021, 2023, 2024) of the award, becoming just the second player in the award's 43-year history to have claimed it on three occasions. 

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Richards is a first-time nominee, following a career-best season which included an average of 25.8 disposals, 5.7 clearances and 3.7 tackles, while Liberatore's consistency (average 26.5 disposals, 5.6 tackles, 6.3 clearances) has seen him recognised once again. 

Bontempelli also automatically qualifies for the Best Captain award, while Liberatore has been nominated for the Most Courageous Player.

Sam Davidson is in the running for Best First Year Player.

The winners of all four honours will be announced tonight, Thursday 28 August, as part of the 2025 AFL Awards broadcast on Fox Footy.

2025 AFL Players Association - Nominees

  • AFL Players’ Most Valuable Player Award: Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Tom Liberatore
  • AFL Players’ Best First Year Player Award, proudly presented by P3 Recovery: Sam Davidson
  • AFL Players’ Best Captain Award, proudly presented by Chartered Accountants: Marcus Bontempelli
  • AFL Players’ Most Courageous Player Award, proudly presented by Tackle Your Feelings: Tom Liberatore