In the end it wasn't even close - Richmond superstar Dustin Martin was the runaway winner of this year's AFL Players' Association most valuable player award.
Martin and last year's winner, Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield, were the two main fancies heading into Tuesday night's ceremony.
But the Tigers midfielder took the award, known as the Leigh Matthews Trophy, with 1333 votes ahead of Dangerfield on 776 votes and Greater Western Sydney's Josh Kelly with 416.
The red-hot Brownlow Medal favourite has taken all before him this season, averaging 30 possessions in 23 games and kicking 32 goals.
"To earn the respect of your peers is very humbling," Martin said.
"I think all of the guys who got nominated are champions, so I'm very humbled.
"It's a bit surreal ... you've got to pinch yourself.
"I've just kept working hard on all areas of my game ... I've said before, you just try and improve each year that you're in the competition."
Adelaide's Rory Sloane was fourth (267 votes) and Sydney's Lance Franklin fifth (215).
Martin joined greats of the game such as Gary Ablett senior and junior, Tony Lockett, Jason Dunstall, Andrew McLeod, Robert Harvey and Chris Judd in winning the player-voted award.
The 26-year-old showed great poise and maturity this season in the face of a contract stand-off and the stress of having his father, Shane, barred from the country, the New Zealander having had his visa revoked by the Australian Government in 2016.
Martin eventually agreed to a multi-million dollar, seven-year deal to remain at Punt Road.
"It has been pretty stressful, although I might not show it, but I'm just glad all that (contract) stuff is out of the way and I'm just excited for the next couple of weeks," he said.
Sloane also took out the most courageous player award, while Crows skipper Taylor Walker was named best captain.
Essendon rising star winner Andrew McGrath added another honour, the No.1 draft pick named the AFLPA's best first-year player.
Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli was named the captain of the best 22 players under 22-years-old - a team voted on by fans.
DUSTIN MARTIN'S AFL SEASON AT A GLANCE
Games: 23
Average possessions per game: 30.2 (season high of 40 against West Coast in round three and Brisbane in round 17)
Goals: 32
Inside 50s: 146 (ranked No.1 in the AFL)
Centre clearances: 82 (ranked No.1 in the AFL)
Honours: AFL Coaches Association champion player of the year, AFL Players' Association most valuable player award.
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