Competition for top spot narrows to two-man race: AFL MVP – Round 22

Just two players remain in the race to win our MVP Award for 2023 with just two rounds remaining in the home and away season, with Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and Melbourne star Christian Petracca further breaking away from the pack after polling votes in Round 22.

With Collingwood sensation and third-placed runner, Nick Daicos ruled out of the final fortnight before finals, the gap between Bontempelli in first and Richmond's Tim Taranto in fourth is over 40 votes with two rounds left.

The only man able to chase down Bontempelli is Petracca, who sits seven votes shy of the summit with games against Hawthorn and Sydney to come. Bontempelli has a strong chance to seal the crown this weekend if Petracca fails to poll the needed votes, with the Dogs to take on the 18th-placed Eagles in Round 23.

Seven players polled perfect games over the weekend, while a number of players in our top 10 failed to have an influence.

Reminder: Votes are given out in a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system for each game, meaning the maximum number of votes any player can record in any game is 20.

Collingwood vs Geelong

Collingwood gun Josh Daicos was comfortably seen as the Magpies' best performer in his side's win over the Cats, flourishing in the absence of his younger brother, Nick. Forward Brody Mihocek kicked five goals in a return to form, polling nine votes, with Patrick Lipinski, Taylor Adams and Nathan Murphy also earning recognition for their efforts.

Cats spearhead Jeremy Cameron came away from the loss with 16 votes after booting seven goals as he too found his shooting boots.

North Melbourne vs Essendon

Bombers wingman Nic Martin was a standout in his side's narrow win over North Melbourne, collecting 32 possessions and booting three goals in one of the best performances in his young career. Midfielder Darcy Parish was also excellent for Essendon and would gain support from the young duo Ben Hobbs and Archie Perkins in the middle.

Roos bull Luke Davies-Uniacke was stellar in keeping his side in the game, while veteran Ben Cunnington featured among the vote-getters in his farewell game.

Sydney vs Gold Coast

It was an all-round team effort from the Swans to keep their winnng streak and finals hopes alive over the weekend, with young midfielder Chad Warner leading the charge over the Suns. The fourth-year Swan would poll a perfect game, while Jake Lloyd, James Rowbottom, Nick Blakey and Will Hayward would also poll heavily.

Suns trio Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Jarrod Witts all managed to poll votes in the defeat.

Brisbane vs Adelaide

Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage was unanimously voted as the best player in the Lions' one-goal win over the Crows, thanks to a prolific performance from the outside midfielder. Forwards Zac Bailey and Charlie Cameron would also feature among the vote-getters for the Lions, while Adelaide's midfield also featured heavily.

Rory Laird, Jordan Dawson and Matt Crouch would all come away from the loss with votes to their name, with the latter polling for the third straight week as he re-finds some form.

Carlton vs Melbourne

Carlton midfielder George Hewett was one of the seven players in Round 22 to poll 20 votes, with his efforts in a nail-biter against Melbourne seeing the ex-Swan put in arguably his best performance in navy blue. Skipper Patrick Cripps would poll 16 votes, while defensive pair Nic Newman and Jacob Weitering would also poll in the win.

Melbourne's Jack Viney was seen as the Demons' best performer, while Christian Petracca managed to add two votes to his tally to keep pressure on leader Marcus Bontempelli. Clayton Oliver managed to poll four votes in his return to the field.

West Coast vs Fremantle

Glendinning-Allan Medal winner Lachie Schultz earned a perfect game for his five-goal, 24-disposal performance in the Western Derby, with star pair Luke Jackson and Caleb Serong sharing the next handful of votes. It was a clean sweep for the Dockers in their 101-point win, with Brennan Cox, Hayden Young and Jye Amiss rounding out the vote-getters.

Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs

Hawthorn ace Jai Newcombe was an obvious choice for BOG in the Hawks' upset win over the Bulldogs, collecting 40 disposals and a goal in just his 50th appearance in the brown and gold. Karl Amon and Dylan Moore were also impressive to poll votes from all four members of our team, while Will Day came away from the game with six votes as well.

MVP leader Marcus Bontempelli added six votes to his season tally and extended his lead over Christian Petracca in doing so. He would be the only Bulldog to poll votes from Sunday's loss.

St Kilda vs Richmond

St Kilda talls Max King and Rowan Marshall were both recognised as the best performers on the field, with the latter amassing 19 votes in his side's win over Richmond on Sunday. The duo would combine for all five and four-vote spots, with teammates Jade Gresham, Jack Sinclair, Seb Ross, Jack Steele and Callum Wilkie also coming away with votes in what was a clean sweep for the Saints.

Port Adelaide vs GWS

Port Adelaide recruit Jason Horne-Francis fell one vote shy of a perfect game, with fellow onballer Ollie Wines also earning a five-vote nod from one of our voters. Wines would also claim four votes from the other three voters to receive 17 in the win over GWS, while Connor Rozee and Zak Butters would also feature heavily to remain in the mix for a top 20 finish.

Giants pair Toby Greene and Tom Green both earned votes in the loss, with the former holding onto seventh spot overall.

LEADERBOARD

RANK		PLAYER	LAST ROUND	TOTAL
1		Marcus Bontempelli	6	222
2		Christian Petracca	2	215
3		Nick Daicos	0	197
4		Tim Taranto	0	180
5		Errol Gulden	0	164
6		Lachie Neale	0	163
7		Toby Greene	1	161
8		Jordan Dawson	3	159
9		Caleb Serong	13	153
10		Zach Merrett	0	149

FULL LEAADERBOARD CAN BE SEEN HERE