What a team! As the Brisbane Lions’ domination continues, here’s how a stellar top five landed in the W Award vote count.
In a thrilling medal count that went the distance, Brisbane Lion Ally Anderson who came out on top to take out the AFLW best and fairest medal.
Anderson led Monique Conti, Ebony Marinoff, Alyce Parker and Madison Prespakis on the leaderboard, separated by one vote after eight rounds of the count.
The Only Sports Show | Latest episode:
Round nine saw Anderson and Conti each picking up three votes each, setting up a nice little duel for the prestigious award. While Conti was at the top of the leaderboard briefly, the Brisbane gun managed to steal away the win, again awarded three votes against Collingwood to conclude the regular season.
It’s the first time Brisbane has had back-to-back best and fairest winners. Anderson’s win followed her Lions counterpart Emily Bates who was last season’s winner.
The top five of the W Awards are as seen down below.
1. Ally Anderson – 21 votes
It was a strong season for Brisbane’s Anderson. The two-time club best and fairest can add another achievement to her collection; her best season yet. A strong 26-possession performance against Collingwood in Round 10 earned her a third three-vote game to help seal top spot in the medal count.
2. Monique Conti – 19 votes
The Richmond young gun midfielder had a year to remember in season seven. She was rewarded for her efforts, earning a fourth All-Australian nod. Conti racked up the disposals this season, averaging 21.7 per game this season. She received the maximum number of votes in four games.
3. Ebony Marinoff – 18 votes
The Adelaide Crow powerhouse impressed this season; a threat all over the field and reliably stood up when required. Averaging a career best 25.6 disposals per game this season, Marinoff was awarded another place on the All-Australian team on Tuesday night.
4. Madison Prespakis – 17 votes
The Essendon talent took her game to a new level; of course her first season one of four clubs in a maiden AFLW campaign. The young gun was a crucial part of the side’s attack, averaging 24.4 disposals per game. It was a big night for Prespakis; selected half-forward in the All-Australian team. She was also named vice-captain in the 22under22 team earlier this week.
5. Olivia Purcell – 16 votes
After sitting out with injury for 12 months, Melbourne’s Purcell returned in season seven and excelled. In a career-best season, the 22-year-old was a crucial part of Melbourne’s elite engine room. The inside-mid had a memorable season, averaging 24.4 disposals per game; also making the All-Australian bench.
Hannah Ewing also had a stellar season; the Port Adelaide breakout talent was awarded the AFLW Rising Star with 41 votes, ahead of teammate Abbey Dowrick on 22. Hawthorn’s Jasmine Fleming rounded out the top three with 17 votes.
