Is Buddy Franklin the game’s MVP?

The AFL Players’ Association will tonight anoint its 2017 MVP in Melbourne in what is widely considered to be the closest race for honours in recent history.

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Richmond star Dustin Martin and reigning champion Patrick Dangerfield are considered hot favourites, along with Franklin.

And former St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt has revealed his top pick.

“I voted for Buddy (Franklin), actually,” he said today.

“As far as most valuable I think Dusty and Danger statistically have probably had better years but I just think for value to the team and importance for the team Lance Franklin’s still the best player in the comp.”

Should Franklin — who took home the Coleman Medal just over a week ago, having booted

69 goals this season — salute tonight, it would be his first AFLPA MVP win.

Gold Coast star Gary Ablett Jr holds the record, claiming honours on five occasions.

Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe won the award in 2014 and 2015 — his Brownlow Medal-winning year — with star Cat Dangerfield claiming his first MVP last year.

Players vote every four weeks for a “MVP of the Month” award throughout the season, with this year’s winners being Crow Rory Sloane (March/April), Giant Josh Kelly (May), Martin (June and July) and Franklin (August).

At the end of the year, each team nominates three of its own players for the annual award, which Riewoldt said players “have really come to value”.

“The (players’ association) have done it really well – they now have a monthly award which keeps the form players of the competition on everyone’s mind,” he said on SEN.

“We get the opportunity to vote on a player of the month every month, and then culminating in a ptocess at the end of the year where you nominate three players from your team that you think have been the most valuable players of that year.

“No one knows better than the guys that play with each other week-in, week-out.”

Players then vote using a 3-2-1 system, and cannot vote for one of their own teammates.

“For me, it was Franklin, Dusty and Danger,” Riewoldt revealed.

“I do (like voting for other forwards), and I think just given the way he was able to carry that side up there at times. He’s just an incredible talent.”

Tonight will also see the Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award presented, along with the · Best First Year Player Award, Best Captain, the 22Under22 final team, the Education and Training Excellence Award and the Grant Hattam Award for excellence in sports journalism.