Seven Sydney Swans players are up for nominations for the 2021 AFL Players’ Association’s Most Valuable Player Awards announced today (Thursday, August 26).
Announced today by the AFLPA, Sydney Swans players Tom Hickey, Callum Mills and Luke Parker have been nominated for the AFL MVP following their respective strong and consistent seasons.
In his first season with Sydney, Hickey has hit career best form. Averaging 16.6 disposals, 5 total clearances, 23.6 hit outs (7.7 hit outs to advantage) on average from his 20 games this season are well above his career averages.
Mills has shone with his switch from defender to midfield this season. He averages 27.5 disposals, 5.9 marks, 5.3 tackles and 4.8 clearances this season.
Parker continues to impress in the midfield with consistent performances each week. The co-captain is averaging 27.6 disposals, 4.6 tackles, 3.7 marks, 6.3 total clearances per game. He has also kicked 15 goals this season.
Player voted MVP: Tom Hickey, Callum Mills, Luke Parker
Most Courageous: Tom McCartin
Best First Year Player: Errol Gulden
Captain: Dane Rampe, Luke Parker, Joshua Kennedy
Following his inclusion in the 22Under22 side, Tom McCartin has also been nominated in the Most Courageous category.
First year forward Errol Gulden has been nominated in the Best First Year player category following his strong debut season. Gulden is averaging 15.8 disposals, 4.5 marks, 2.9 tackles and 0.8 goals a game on average from his 17 matches this season. He earnt a NAB Rising Star nomination in Round 1 of the 2021 season.
Captains Dane Rampe, Parker and Josh Kennedy are automatically selected for nomination in the Best Captain award.
Voting for the awards is a two-stage process, with players nominating their teammates in stage one before selecting from a competition-wide field in stage two. Players cannot vote for a player from their own club during stage two of the voting process.
The AFL Players’ Association will recognise the achievements of the award winners with a special collaboration with Channel 7 on Thursday September 2.
