ROBBIE GRAY headlines Port Adelaide’s three nominees for the AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player award for 2018.

Gray has played every game after Round 1, averaging 21 disposals and nearly 2 goals per game.

His ability to play up forward or in the midfield makes him incredibly hard to keep under control, with Adelaide learning that the hard way when he booted six goals, including five in one quarter, in Showdown 44.

Port Adelaide’s other nominees are consistent utility Justin Westhoff and reliable defender Tom Jonas.

Westhoff is in career-best form in 2018, defying his tag as the club’s oldest player.

Playing in a variety of roles from forward to wing to ruck, Westhoff has averaged career-highs for disposals, hit-outs and tackles while being one of the most consistent performers in the side.

Jonas has been the Power’s defensive leader, playing 17 games this season and averaging 17 disposals and eight marks per game to rank inside the league’s top ten for marks.

Jonas has also been nominated for the Most Courageous player award.

Young forward Kane Farrell has been nominated as the club’s Best First Year Player, having booted five goals in five games, including three in a quarter against Adelaide in Round 20.

The nomination for the MVP Award is a two-stage process. The first involves players nominating three teammates for the award, before three nominees from every club are presented to the wider playing group for a vote to decide the winner.

Players cannot vote for their own teammates in stage two of the process.

A similar process is followed for Best First Year player and Most Courageous, however just one player is nominated from each club.

Power skipper Travis Boak has automatically been nominated for the Best Captain Award.

The winners will be announced at the AFL Players’ MVP Awards on Thursday 30th August at 191 Collins St, Melbourne.

2018 will see the 37th Annual AFL Players’ Association MVP Awards.

There have been 28 winners of the Leigh Matthews Trophy (AFLPA MVP) with Gary Ablett (five), Greg Williams Wayne Carey, Chris Judd, Michael Voss and Nat Fyfe (two) the only multiples.

Dustin Martin (MVP), Andrew McGrath (Best First Year), Rory Sloane (Most Courageous), Taylor Walker (Best Captain) were the 2017 award winners.

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