The AFLPA has announced their nominees for the 2026 AFL Players' MVP Awards, which are voted on by the AFL playing group. 

The four categories include the AFL Players' Most Valuable Player Award, the Best First Year Player Award, the Most Courageous Player Award and the Best Captain Award. 

Following today's announcement, the awards will take place on the evening of Tuesday 25th August.

Three Geelong players have been nominated for the AFL Players' Most Valuable Player Award, including the dynamic duo of Bailey Smith and Max Holmes, while dominant defender Connor O'Sullivan rounds out the category. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Connor O'Sullivan of the Cats warms up prior to the round 21 AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on July 30, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Jesse Mellor has been nominated for the Best First Year Player Award after a brilliant season at VFL level, while Patrick Dangerfield will represent the Cats in the Best Captain Award. 

Rounding out the nominations for the Cats is Tom Atkins in the AFL Players' Most Courageous Player Award. 

Geelong's 2026 AFL Players' Awards Nominees

  • AFL Players’ Most Valuable Player Award: Bailey Smith, Connor O’Sullivan, Max Holmes

  • AFL Players’ Best First Year Player Award, proudly presented by P3 Recovery: Jesse Mellor

  • AFL Players’ Best Captain Award, proudly presented by Chartered Accountants: Patrick Dangerfield

  • AFL Players’ Most Courageous Player Award, proudly presented by Tackle Your Feelings: Tom Atkins