Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Dale and Ed Richards have been put forward as the Western Bulldogs’ nominees for the 2026 AFLPA MVP Award. 

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

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

Dogs duo named in 2026 All Australian squad

This season he has averaged 26 disposals, 5.6 clearances and four tackles from 22 outings. 

Richards has been nominated for the award for a second consecutive season, averaging 26 disposals, six clearances and four tackles from 22 games, while Dale has been recognised despite missing five games through injury. 

He has averaged 27 disposals (20.3 kicks) and 561 metres gained from his 18 appearances. 

Bontempelli also automatically qualifies for the Best Captain award, while Will Lewis has been nominated for the Best First Year Player award. 

Michael Sellwood is in the running for the Most Courageous Player award. 

All winners will be announced tomorrow, Tuesday 25 August, as part of the 2026 AFL Awards broadcast on Fox Footy.

2026 AFL Players Association - Nominees

  • AFL Players’ Most Valuable Player Award: Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Dale, Ed Richards
  • AFL Players’ Best First Year Player Award, proudly presented by P3 Recovery: Will Lewis
  • AFL Players’ Best Captain Award, proudly presented by Chartered Accountants: Marcus Bontempelli
  • AFL Players’ Most Courageous Player Award, proudly presented by Tackle Your Feelings: Michael Sellwood

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