For the second year running Gary Ablett has been voted by his peers as the AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player.

Ablett was presented with the Leigh Matthews Trophy by AFL legend Leigh Matthews at the awards dinner held at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne.

Ablett secured 1044 votes, on the 3-2-1 basis. Lance Franklin finished second (718 votes), Brent Harvey third (440), Matthew Richardson fourth (148) and Chris Judd (140) finishing in the top five. Joel Selwood backed up his Best First Year Player award from 2007 finishing sixth in the most valuable category with 109 votes.

The Geelong champion joins Greg Williams, Wayne Carey and Michael Voss as a two time MVP winner and walks away with the prestigious Leigh Matthew’s Trophy, sponsored by Medibank Private. Gary also becomes just the second player after Michael Voss ('02, '03) to win the prestigious award in consecurtive years.

The award recognizes versatility, skill, leadership, the ability to play under pressure and respect for teammates and the opposition.

"This is a massive honour as it is voted on by my peers. It means a huge amount to me that the players that I play against each week have voted for me and it is very humbling to win this award.

“While this is an individual award, there is no way that I could be in this position without my team mates and the coaches at Geelong and I want to thank them for everything they have done for me, not only this season but over my time with the club," Ablett said.

Despite missing four games in the home and away season due to injury, Ablett tallied impressive season statistics with 503 disposals, 84 marks and an average of just under five tackles a game with a total of 86 tackles for the home and away season.

Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player Votes

Gary Ablett Geelong 1088
Lance Franklin Hawthorn 718
Brent Harvey North Melbourne 440
Matthew Richardson Richmond 148
Chris Judd Carlton 140
Joel Selwood Geelong 109

Previous winners of the Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player

1982 - Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn)
1983 - Terry Daniher (Essendon)
1984 - Russell Greene (Hawthorn)
1985 - Greg Williams (Geelong)
1986 - Paul Roos (Fitzroy)
1987 - Tony Lockett (St Kilda)
1988 - Gerard Healy (Sydney)
1989 - Tim Watson (Essendon)
1990 - Darren Millane (Collingwood)
1991 - Jim Stynes (Melbourne)
1992 - Jason Dunstall (Hawthorn)
1993 - Gary Ablett Snr (Geelong)
1994 - Greg Williams (Carlton)
1995 - Wayne Carey (North Melbourne)
1996 - Corey McKernan (North Melbourne)
1997 - Robert Harvey (St Kilda)
1998 - Wayne Carey (North Melbourne)
1999 - Shane Crawford (Hawthorn)
2000 - Anthony Koutoufides (Carlton)
2001 - Andrew McLeod (Adelaide)
2002 - Luke Darcy (Western Bulldogs)
2002 - Michael Voss (Brisbane)
2003 - Michael Voss (Brisbane)
2004 - Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
2005 - Ben Cousins (West Coast)
2006 - Chris Judd (West Coast)
2007 - Gary Ablett Jnr (Geelong)
2008 - Gary Ablett Jnr (Geelong)