MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Lance Franklin of the Swans celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 02 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Star Sydney forward Lance Franklin has been named as the AFL Players' Association MVP for the month of August.

Franklin won 30% of the votes for his brilliant performances in the final month of the year, led by his 10-goal outing against Carlton in the final round.

Every current player votes for the monthly award winners, after the panel of Leigh Matthews, Chris Judd, Gerald Healy and Tim Watson put forward a six-man shortlist.

“Over the last month Buddy has reminded us why he is regarded as football’s most sensational player,” Healy told aflplayers.com.au.

“His performance in Round 23 was as good an individual performance we’ve seen for a long time. He totally dominated the game and once again stamped his mark as one of the players who will determine the outcome at the end of September.”

Richmond star Dustin Martin just missed out on his third consecutive MVP of the Month award with 25% of the votes, while Adelaide young gun Matt Crouch (18%) finished third after another impressive month.

Franklin joins Rory Sloane, Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin as the other winners of the awards, with the quartet all automatically nominated for the end-of-season AFL Players' MVP Award, named the Leigh Matthews Trophy.

Winners of the MVP of the Month award in 2017

March/April - Rory Sloane

May - Josh Kelly

June - Dustin Martin

July - Dustin Martin

August - Lance Franklin