Geelong's Gary Ablett has been selected by his peers the the winner of the Leigh Matthew's Trophy for Most Valuable Player.

Gary received the award at the gala AFL Players' Association Most Valuable Player Awards night, Friday the 28th of September.

Ablett was recognised as the competition’s best player in 2007 by his peers this evening at the AFL Players’ Association’s MVP Awards at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt.

The Geelong star was selected as the MVP by 212 fellow players, ahead of Brisbane Lion Jonathan Brown on 139 votes with West Coast’s Daniel Kerr (48) in third place. Fremantle’s Matthew Pavlich and Port Adelaide’s Chad Cornes followed (equal 32) with Kangaroo Brent Harvey rounding out the top five receiving 24 votes.

Gary Ablett Jnr joins his father Gary Ablett Snr as a recipient of the Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player with Gary Snrwinning the prestigious award in 1993. This is the first time in the award’s history that a father and son have received the award.

The Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player, sponsored by Medibank Private, recognises versatility, ability to play under pressure, skill, courage, leadership, respect for all players & value to a team. To vote, players initially nominate two players from their own club for each award. Players then vote for the player, (not from their own club), they believe should win the Award.

Over 630 AFL players voted in this year’s AFLPA Most Valuable Player awards.

Since 1982, the Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player and Brownlow Medal have been won by different players 19 times.

Ablett’s season stats were characteristically impressive with the Cats star racking up 585 disposals, 315 kicks and 87 marks. Ablett also led the AFL for inside 50’s, signifying the great influence he has on the game.

AFL PLAYER VOTES - LEIGH MATTHEWS TROPHY FOR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Gary Ablett - Geelong 212
Jonathan Brown - Brisbane Lions 139
Daniel Kerr - West Coast 48
Matthew Pavlich - Fremantle 32
Chad Cornes - Port Adelaide 32
Brent Harvey - Kangaroos 24