Six Crows have been nominated by their peers for the AFL Players’ Association’s Most Valuable Player Awards. 

Up for grabs is AFL MVP, Most Courageous, Best First-Year Player and Best Captain. 

Ben Keays, Rory Laird and Paul Seedsman have all been nominated for Most Valuable Player after stellar seasons at the Crows. 

Keays was selected by the Crows in the 2019 AFL Rookie Draft after being delisted by Brisbane and had a standout year in 2021, playing every game and averaging 28.1 disposals. 

Following a mixed season in 2020 (nine games), Seedsman became a mainstay of Matthew Nicks’ side, averaging a career-best 26 touches and more than 600 metres gained per match.

Laird was also one of the Crows’ top performers this season, ranked elite among the competition in disposals (averaging 32), contested possessions (averaging 14.8) and clearances (averaging 6.8). 

00:18

R19: Laird chips in

Rory Laird kicks a goal in the third.

Defender Tom Doedee will be eyeing off the league’s Most Courageous award, with his body-on-the-line attitude shining in 2021. 

Doedee is rated elite in the league for tackles (2.2) and pressure acts (10.2) and has been a leader in Nicks’ backline. 

The Best First Year Player nomination has gone to exciting young key forward Riley Thilthorpe. 

The Crows’ No. 2 draft pick produced a record-breaking debut in Round Six, booting 5.0 from 16 disposals and five marks. 

00:19

R23: Thilthorpe's bender

Riley Thilthorpe bends a spectacular goal to put the Crows further in front at Adelaide Oval.

He was subsequently named the AFL’s Round 13 Rising Star after kicking the match-winner against St Kilda in Cairns. 

Rounding out the nominations is skipper Rory Sloane for Best Captain. 

Winners will be announced at the 2021 MVP Awards on Thursday, September 2. 

2021 AFL Players’ Association's Most Valuable Player Awards

MVP: Ben Keays, Paul Seedsman, Rory Laird

Best First Year Player: Riley Thilthorpe

Most Courageous: Tom Doedee

Best Captain: Rory Sloane