RECENTLY retired St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt is one of four players named as finalists for the 2017 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordan Roughead, Port Adelaide defender Jack Hombsch and Fremantle AFLW midfielder Kirby Bentley have also been shortlisted for the prestigious award.

Riewoldt, 34, was recognised for his tireless work in Maddie's Vision, a charity formed after the death of his 26-year-old sister in February 2015 following her courageous five-year battle with aplastic anaemia.

The charity, which was founded by the Riewoldt family in mid-2015, raises awareness and funds to find new treatments for bone marrow failure with the aim of finding a cure.

Riewoldt, with the support of cousin and Richmond goalkicker Jack, set up the annual Maddie's Match between the two clubs as a fundraising event for the foundation.

Roughead, 26, was nominated for his work with Ladder, the youth homelessness charity supported by the AFL Players' Association.

Hombsch, 24, was recognised for his involvement with physical and intellectual disability charities, including Inclusive Sport SA, Bedford and KickStart for Kids.

Bentley, 31, who suffered a potentially serious right knee injury in Saturday night's inaugural AFLW State of Origin at Etihad Stadium, was selected for her commitment to developing young indigenous footballers from around Western Australia.

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award was named in honour of the former Melbourne president and Brownlow medallist, who passed away in 2012 after a long battle with cancer.

The award will be presented to one of the four finalists on Brownlow Medal night, with the winner to receive $20,000 from the AFL and $20,000 from the Jim Stynes Foundation to be donated to a chosen charity or community program.

"Each finalist deserves to be recognised for their efforts with Jack receiving his second straight nomination, while Kirby, Jordan and Nick all work tirelessly for causes that are so deeply personal to them," AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said in a statement on Sunday.

Three-time Geelong premiership star Jimmy Bartel took out last year's award for his fight against domestic violence, while recently retired Carlton speedster Dennis Armfield was the 2015 recipient for his work in drug and alcohol rehabilitation.