Co-captains Jarrod Witts and David Swallow have been nominated by the playing group for the AFL Players’ Association MVP Award alongside Darcy Macpherson. 

The Leigh Matthews Trophy is presented to the player judged the best in the competition by their peers across two stages of nominations.

The first stage sees players nominating three teammates for the award before the three nominees are presented to the wider AFL playing group for a vote to decide the winner. 

Alongside the trophy, other awards presented are Most Courageous, Best Captain and Best First Year.

Swallow has again been nominated for Most Courageous, while Ben King has earnt the nod as best first-year player.

Both of Gold Coast’s co-captains have had outstanding debut seasons as skippers.

Witts broke the record for the most hit-outs in a regular season, registering 1008 from his 22 games at an average of 45.82 per game. 

Swallow on the other hand averaged 23 disposals, four marks and 3.8 tackles per game.

Macpherson has enjoyed a career-best season and breakout year, playing every game for the first time and predominately as a midfielder. 

He averaged 19 disposals, four marks and six tackles per game. 

Since making his AFL debut in Round 9, King went on to play every game to finish the season as one of the SUNS’ brightest prospects.

He kicked 17 goals in his 14 games and impressed with his ability to read the ball in the air and snare heavily contested marks.

The awards night will take place on Thursday night in Melbourne.