Gary Ablett has been voted by his peers as the AFL’s best player for a fifth time, breaking his own record to claim the 2013 AFL Player’s Association Most Valuable Player.
In front of a sold-out crowd at the Peninsula, Docklands, Ablett polled 1479 votes to easily fend off former team mate Joel Selwood (475), Jarryd Roughead (378), Scott Pendlebury (321) and Kieren Jack (201) to take out the Leigh Matthews Trophy.
It’s a remarkable achievement and a feat never been achieved before by any other player of Ablett’s pedigree, with only Chris Judd, Greg Williams, Wayne Carey and Michael Voss the only other AFL/VFL players to win the award more than twice.
The reigning MVP, who also took out the award in Geelong from 2007-09, was the player’s pick in an award voted on by all 818 players on a 3-2-1 basis.
Selwood had to fight off tough competition from Ablett earlier in the night, the Geelong skipper polling 172 votes to Ablett’s 115 to be crowned Best Captain for 2013.
In an exclusive with goldcoastfc.com.au, GC SUNS senior coach Guy McKenna said Ablett’s supernatural ability to produce even better campaigns each year since his defection to the Gold Coast had him marvelling at the little genius.
“While there might be an exception for him to achieve great things he’s doing it at such a young Club,” he said.
“Again this year he was able to find another level of playing and consistency. But to do it while the rest of his team mates are still growing is incredible.”
“The best coaches are your leaders, Gary is certainly in that bracket.”
NAB AFL Rising Star Jaeger O’Meara capped off the elusive double by taking out the AFLPA’s Best First Year Player.
TOP 10
Gary Ablett, 1,479
Joel Selwood 475
Jarryd Roughead 378
Scott Pendlebury 321
Kieren Jack 201
Ryan Griffin 177
Dan Hannebery 174
Patrick Dangerfield 172
Dane Swan 137
Nat Fyfe 118
