AFL LIVE: Gawn hopes for a ninth All-Australian jumper, Butters is sitting at a suitor’s table

Scott SpitsUpdated August 25, 2026 — 8:36pm,first published 7:16pmKey Posts8.36pmAnd here’s the half-back line ....By 8.35pmThis year’s AA backlineBy The backline is being announced:8.23pmThe rising star award winner is ....By Great news for Carlton fans! A popular winner here.Midfielder Jagga Smith is this year’s AFL rising star winner.8.20pm‘You are enough, you’re loved’By Not only is Adelaide’s star captain Jordan Dawson the AFL’s best captain as voted by his peers for the second year in a row, he’s also been named the AFLPA’s most courageous player for season 2026.And it’s not hard to see why.Jordan Dawson (right) arriving for the AFL Awards.Getty ImagesAfter another stunning season from an individual perspective, on-field, Dawson has had to experience unimaginable heartbreak off it – the loss of his older brother Jaryd.Jordan Dawson, who’s known for letting his actions on the field do his talking, just gave a brilliant speech about not just footy, but life, pleading with anyone going through a hard time mentally: “You are enough, you are loved”.Support is available from Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.8.10pmToday’s news: Richmond’s statement after Mad MondayBy Richmond players seen striking each other with belts in footage taken during Mad Monday celebrations have expressed embarrassment about their behaviour but denied they were mocking the scandal engulfing the Swans.The Tigers released a statement on Tuesday afternoon in which they said they had questioned the players about their conduct at the Garfield Hotel in Gippsland on Monday.“Richmond is aware of a video circulating from a player end of season gathering,” the statement said.8.03pmTime for the AFLPA awards ....By First up, the AFLPA best captain award goes to ... Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson.In his second year as Crows skipper, Dawson earned top billing for the second time. He placed ahead of Melbourne’s Max Gawn and Fremantle’s Alex Pearce and joins two-time Crows best captains Mark Ricciuto (2005, 2006) and Taylor Walker (2016, 2017).The players’ association’s best first-year player award goes to young Carlton defender Harry Dean. That’s fitting recognition for a great season.Harry Dean was named the AFLPA’s best first-year player.AFL PhotosAnd here are more plaudits for Adelaide’s Dawson. He has just been announced as the winner of the Robert Rose most courageous award, beating home Zak Butters and Brayden Maynard.Nick Daicos has become a multiple winner of the AFLPA most valuable player award. Daicos was presented with the Leigh Matthews Trophy by the man, himself, after he was voted by his peers ahead of three-time winner Marcus Bontempelli and Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson.8.01pmMore top photos from the carpetBy Geelong’s Bailey Smith and Oliver Dempsey.AFL PhotosAFL icon Leigh MatthewsAFL PhotosFremantle young gun Murphy Reid arrives at the count.Getty Images7.53pmAFLCA player of the yearBy One of the early awards on the night has just been announced ...The AFLCA champion player of the year is, unsurprisingly, Nick Daicos. The Collingwood star and red-hot Brownlow favourite might pick up a full range of awards tonight.Nick Daicos.AFL Photos via Getty Images7.51pm‘Safe and respected’: Dillon’s message to the footy fraternityBy AFL boss Andrew Dillon has launched the 2026 awards night, giving a speech on finals-eve where he emphasised that the game was responsible for all supporters feeling “safe, welcome and respected.”Before the 46-man squad will be cut in half to reveal this year’s All-Australian team, Dillon was at the podium at Centrepiece at Melbourne Park talking up the league’s broadcast and crowd figures in 2026.“Other sports dream about those numbers – sometimes they even claim them,” Dillon quipped.While there was no mention of Sydney’s hotel saga which resulted in five Swans being banned for the the rest of the season, Dillon said the code had a responsibility to “the millions of girls and boys” who follow the game.AFL boss Andrew Dillon.AFL Photos via Getty Images7.24pmScenes from the red carpetBy Hot Brownlow favourite Nick Daicos cops a question or two from Nine’s Tony Jones.AFL PhotosLuke Jackson with Kelsey Browne.Getty ImagesGeelong star Bailey Smith.AFL Photos1 of 2