MICHAEL HURLEY

A spirited season from the 25-year-old sees him on the cusp of a his first All-Australian selection, having well and truly staked his claim as one of the best key defenders in the game.

Hurley played on the opposition’s best tall forward most weeks and was rarely beaten; strong performances on the likes of Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin put to bed any questions of whether he should play as a forward or a backman.

The 193cm Bomber ranks equal-third in the competition for rebound 50s this season and is averaging 21 disposals per game in a career-best year.

CALE HOOKER

Has backed up his 2014 All-Australian with another strong season. One of the most important players for the Bombers, Hooker started at his usual intercepting best down back before swinging forward in the second half of the year and booting 15 goals in his last eight outings. Hooker has ranked third in the competition for marks in a trying season for the 26-year-old.

MARK BAGULEY

The hard-working defender has had a career-best season in 2015, in a defence that’s often been under siege.

Baguley never gives his opponents an inch and always puts his body on the line for his teammates – it’s not hard to see why they’ve nominated him for the MVP Award.

Now 28 years old and with 70 games under his belt, Baguley has averaged 17 disposals this season, while regularly nullifying the opposition’s best small forwards.