AFL Awards winners 2023: All-Australian team, AFLPA MVP, Leigh Matthews Trophy, AFLCA Champion, Most Courageous, Best Captain

Bryn Wakefield

AFL Awards winners 2023: All-Australian team, AFLPA MVP, Leigh Matthews Trophy, AFLCA Champion, Most Courageous, Best Captain image

The 2023 AFL Awards night sees the league roll out the red carpet and celebrate its best young and experienced players. 

As usual, the All-Australian team will be announced, alongside the Rising Star winner and AFLCA Champion Player of the Year. 

Awards will also be handed to the best captain of the year, among other honours. 

The Sporting News has every AFL Awards winner below. 

See the All-Australian team and all the award winners below.

All-Australian team 2023

FB James Sicily (HAW) Callum Wilkie (STK) Tom Stewart (GEE)
HB Jack Sinclair (STK) Darcy Moore (COL) Dan Houston (POR)
C Josh Daicos (COL) Marcus Bontempelli (WB) Errol Gulden (SYD)
HF Connor Rozee (POR) Taylor Walker (ADE) Christian Petracca (MEL)
FF Charlie Cameron (BRIS) Charlie Curnow (CAR) Toby Greene (GWS)
R Tim English (WB) Zak Butters (POR) Nick Daicos (COL)
INT Caleb Serong (FRE) Zach Merrett (ESS) Jordan Dawson (ADE)
  Nick Larkey (NM)    

MORE: All-Australian 2023: 44-man squad, final team, surprises, players by club

AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year Award

Port Adelaide's Zak Butters has been crowned the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year after a stellar season. 

Butters' mix of toughness and skill caught the eye of AFL coaches across the year, with the 22-year-old finishing with the most coaches' votes in 2023.

The Power midfielder averaged 27 disposals and 6.9 score involvements per game, as he led the South Australian club to 17 wins and a third-placed finish. 

Zak Butters Port Adelaide
Getty Images

MORE: AFL Coaches Association Votes Leaderboard: Zak Butters set sights on top spot

AFL Players Association MVP - Leigh Matthews Trophy

Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli has won his second Leigh Matthews Trophy as AFLPA MVP.

The 27-year-old had a dominant season, producing averages of 27.7 disposals, 7.5 tackles and 7.6 clearances.

Players receive nominations for the award from their fellow clubmen, and are added to a list of candidates for the Leigh Matthews Trophy. 

AFL players are then asked to vote for their season MVP, unable to select a teammate. 

Nominees: 

  • Marcus Bontempelli (winner)
  • Christian Petracca
  • Toby Greene
  • Nick Daicos
  • Zak Butters
Marcus Bontempelli Western Bulldogs
Getty Images

AFL Rising Star winner

North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel has been named the 2023 Rising Star, after a standout debut season. 

Sheezel broke the disposals record for a first-year player, winning 27 possessions per game as a half back flanker. 

The 18-year-old got the nod over Brisbane's Will Ashcroft (2nd) and St Kilda's Mitch Owens (3rd) who both produced outstanding years. 

Harry Sheezel
Getty Images

Leaderboard: 

1. Harry Sheezel
2. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitch Owens

MORE: AFL Rising Star 2023: North Melbourne's Eddie Ford earns Round 24 nomination

AFLCA Best Young Player

Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos has taken out the AFLCA Best Young Player award, after a sublime second season.

The 20-year-old averaged 31 disposals across 20 games, and is hoping to return for a Magpies finals run expected to go deep into September. 

Leaderboard:

1. Nick Daicos
2. Nic Martin
3. Jason Horne-Francis

Nick Daicos Collingwood
Getty Images

AFLPA Best Captain

Western Bulldogs skipper Bontempelli has been voted by his peers as the AFLPA Best Captain. 

It's Bontempelli's fourth year as captain, leading from the front with his on-field performances and embracing the role as the Bulldogs leader. 

Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury previously won the award in 2022. 

Western Bulldogs Marcus Bontempelli
Getty Images

AFLPA Most Courageous

Power onballer Butters has been handed the Robert Rose Award as the AFL's most courageous player. 

Despite his smaller frame, the 22-year-old is regularly seen throwing his body into contests and diving for hard-ball gets. 

An honour held in high esteem, the AFLPA Most Courageous title is voted by AFL peers. 

AFLPA Best First Year Player

Kangaroos half back Sheezel has claimed his second award of the night, earning the AFLPA Best First Year Player award. 

The 18-year-old beat the likes of Ashcroft, Max Michalanney, Ollie Hollands, and Bailey Humphrey to win the trophy.  

Bryn Wakefield

Bryn Wakefield Photo
Bryn is a content producer for Sporting News, covering AFL and Australian Rules Football. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he has thrived in the passionate sporting city, desperate for ultimate success despite its underdog tag.