Collingwood bad boy Alan Didak is clearly still much-loved at the club, after teammates put his name up for the AFL Players Association most valuable player award.

Despite his much-publicised off-field misdemeanour early this month, in which he was handed a club-imposed suspension, Didak's teammates have chosen him as one of their three contenders for one of the game's most respected awards.

Forward Paul Medhurst has also been nominated, demonstrating he has well and truly earnt the respect of his fellow Magpies after crossing from Fremantle last year.

Geelong have overlooked reigning Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel and the game's undisputed premier fullback Matthew Scarlett.

Gary Ablett, Joel Corey and second year player Joel Selwood were favoured for the Cats' three nominations.

Among the chances to vie for the award with Ablett are Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin, Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney and North Melbourne's Brent Harvey.

Sydney captain Brett Kirk was his side's nominee for the Robert Rose award for the most courageous player.

He will battle it out with others including Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown, Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and Richmond's Matthew Richardson.

Fremantle's Rhys Palmer, Richmond's Trent Cotchin, Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer, Geelong's Harry Taylor and Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli are among the nominees for the best first year player award.

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