Eagles MVP nominees will be up against tough competition on Thursday night as they go toe to toe with some of the leagues best.
The AFL will celebrate what has been a groundbreaking year of footy for the competition this Thursday night in a consolidated end of season awards evening.
The event is to be broadcast on Fox Footy, Kayo and will be available to AFL Live Pass Members at 7:30 pm EST.
This year’s event schedule will include the announcement of the 2020 All-Australian side, the AFL Players Association’s most valuable player award, the AFL Coaches Association player of the year award, and the 2020 Coleman Medal winner.
The news comes as the AFL announced on Wednesday that this year’s Brownlow Medal count would be taking place online on Sunday 18th October.
“It’s incredibly difficult to get people together in indoor event spaces in a responsible manner given the current environment, and the community’s safety has been at the forefront of every decision we’ve made.” General manager of commercial and customer Kylie Rogers spoke on Wednesday.
In what is the 93rd year the Brownlow Medal has been awarded to the best and fairest AFL player, the AFL has gone to great lengths to ensure the count upkeeps with its tradition and heritage despite players being unable to cast votes and celebrate the event under one roof.
“While the glamour of the red carpet will be missed this year, we are looking forward to delivering a special format made specifically for the broadcast audience at home, so our fans can continue to celebrate their heroes and their achievements this year.” Kylie Rogers.
We’re anticipating Brisbane’s Lachie Neale to take home this year’s Brownlow Medal after the midfielder has been an integral part of Lions dominance this year running teams ragged in midfield.
Neale has had an outstanding season and is also a favourite to win this year’s AFLPA MVP award and Coaches Player of the year, while it looks like Geelong’s Tom Hawkins has already booted his way to winning this year’s Coleman Medal despite having one game left to play. Hawkins sits on 40 goals and is followed in joint second place on 31 goals by Port’s Charlie Dixon and our very own Josh Kennedy.
Josh Kennedy has had an impressive year, scoring 31 goals this season and racking up his 600th goal for the Eagles, ever-increasing his goal tally as the Eagle’s all-time top goal scorer.
But this year Kennedy will be watching teammates, Nic Naitanui, Liam Ryan, and Brad Sheppard who have been nominated as the Eagles’ most valuable players. Plus Liam Duggan is nominated as the Eagles’ most courageous player with Nic Reid being the best first player.
They’re up against some tough competition but we’re definitely expecting to see a few Eagles making it into this years All-Australian squad for sure. Liam Ryan is an absolute banker to don the green jacket, with Eagles stars Andrew Gaff, Nic Naitanui, and Jeremy McGovern all in the mix to make the side.
With the All-Australian award normally taking place after the Brownlow awards ceremony, we once again see how this crazy year has impacted the world of footy, looking ahead into this blockbuster awards night.
“While we won’t be able to roll out the multiple events across the finals, the AFL awards night will be a great production for the fans and importantly honour the achievements of the players across the season.” Kylie Rogers.
And with what has been a belter of a season on the field too, the AFL are looking forward to celebrating both those who have enabled the competition to go ahead, as well as the players who have played some outstanding footy this season in extremely.
“The players have made an incredible contribution to Season 2020 and we are excited to celebrate their achievements, and announce this year’s Most Valuable Player, on a night that will bring together the game’s very best.” Paul Marsh, CEO of the AFL Players’ Association speaking ahead of this year’s awards night.
“It’s great to come together as an industry this year to acknowledge the key performers in the unique season that has been. We look forward to the coaches crowning their 2020 champion.”Mark Brayshaw, CEO of the AFL Coaches Association speaking ahead of this year’s awards night.