Voss the players’ choice, again

29 Sep 2003 - Jane Woolard

For the second year in a row, Brisbane captain Michael Voss has been voted by his peers as the league’s “Most Valuable”.

Voss won the Leigh Matthews trophy at the AFL Players’ Association MVP Awards at Melbourne’s Park Hyatt (Friday, 26 September 2003, televised live by FOX Footy Channel at 8.30pm EST).

The MVP award recognises versatility, the ability to play under pressure, skill and courage, leadership, respect for all players and value to a team.

Last year, Voss shared the honours with Luke Darcy of the Western Bulldogs. It is the first time a player has won the coveted Leigh Matthews trophy two years in a row and Voss did it in style, with a winning tally of 153 votes. A total of 608 players voted for this year’s Awards.

Gavin Wanganeen finished second in the MVP tally (63), followed by Warren Tredrea and Robert Harvey/Nathan Buckley.

In further affirmation of the respect Michael Voss commands amongst his peers, he won the “Best Captain” title for the third consecutive year, ahead of Shane Crawford and James Hird.

Two other awards, also determined by the players, were announced. The Kangaroos’ Glenn Archer won the Most Courageous award, while Daniel Wells won Best First Year Player.

It is the fourth time Archer has been voted the league’s Most Courageous Player.

Fellow Kangaroo Daniel Wells enjoyed an excellent debut and stood out amid an impressive field of first-year players in 2003. The Swans’ Adam Schneider also polled well, finishing second.

In other presentations, Graham Johncock won the Marn Grook Award, sponsored by ATSIC, for the best emerging indigenous player.

Simon Garlick was awarded the Education and Training Excellence honour, sponsored by Spherion, while Michael Gleeson of the Herald Sun won the Grant Hattam Award for the best piece of football journalism from a player’s perspective.

Garlick has already completed a Bachelor of Arts (Sports Studies) at University of Western Sydney, and recently finished his Masters of Business Administration at Victoria University with three First Class Honours.

Gleeson’s “Cole comfort”, about Richard Cole, highlighted how the young player has dealt with the challenges facing him as a footballer, including a setback with his weight, his exemplary attitude towards being a footballer, and his determination to take the chances offered him despite a troubled childhood.

Most Valuable Player Award – Sponsored by The Australian 
Top Five
Michael Voss 153
Gavin Wanganeen 63
Warren Tredrea 41
Robert Harvey/Nathan Buckley 32
Adam Goodes 30

Most Courageous Player Award
Top Five
Glenn Archer 158
Michael Voss 140
Scott Burns 69
Dean Solomon 58
Adrian Hickmott 31

Best Captain Award
Top Five
Michael Voss 259
Shane Crawford 58
James Hird 53
Peter Bell/Mark Ricciuto 44
Nathan Buckley 38

Best First Year Player Award
Top Five
Daniel Wells 203
Adam Schneider 163
Brendon Goddard 60
Jarrad Waite 38
Byron Schammer 32