Dashing Geelong midfielder Amy McDonald has been crowned Geelong’s best and fairest for the second year running at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
McDonald took out the award with 116 votes ahead of Becky Webster on 103 votes and defender Maddy McMahon on 102.
It caps off a successful third season in the hoops for the 24-year-old, after she was named in the AFL’s extended All-Australian squad, alongside McMahon.
Originally hailing from Ballarat, McDonald was taken with the 80th pick of the 2019 AFLW draft after a standout season with Geelong’s VFLW team, and again elevated her game in 2022, leading the team in disposals (210), tackles (81), clearances (56) and contested possessions (131).
Geelong AFLW senior coach Dan Lowther said the sky is the limit for the young midfielder.
“Amy’s rapidly become one of the premier midfielders in the AFLW competition, and that’s a tribute to her work ethic and her dedication and commitment to her craft,” Lowther said.
“In my time at the Cats, I’ve seen her work hard to continuously build her fitness base, both at the club and in her own time, and with that, I’ve seen her confidence grow alongside he ability to impact games.
“I couldn’t be more proud of her as a footballer and as a person for what she’s achieved tonight.
“If she keeps working on her game, as I’m sure she will, there’s no ceiling on what she can achieve.”
McDonald also won the AFLW Fan MVP Award as voted on by Cats members at the end of the season.
Other award winners on the night were Kate Darby and Georgie Rankin, winners of the Hoops Award and Carter Family Community Champion Award respectively.
The Hoops Award is awarded to the player making the best values based contribution to the club, and voted on by players, AFLW staff and coaches. Darby returned to the group in 2022 as a train-on partner, making the most of her opportunity as a replacement player for Renee Garing.
The Carter Family Community Champion Award is presented to the players that have provided outstanding commitment to community, both for the Geelong Cats and via her relationships and engagement with community-based organisations, programs, campaigns and initiatives.
Rankin continues to set an outstanding example for all at the club with her commitment to the Cats Community programs, particularly in the inclusion and accessibility space.
The Geelong Cats are proud of all the night’s award winners.
AFLW Best and Fairest Top 10
1. Amy McDonald - 116
2. Rebecca Webster - 103
3. Maddy McMahon - 102
4. Nina Morrison - 56
5. Chloe Scheer - 40
6. Georgie Prespakis - 37
7. Chantel Emonson - 23
8. Meghan McDonald - 22
9. Kate Darby – 17
10. Darcy Moloney - 14
