The Geelong Football Club will crown a new champion this weekend, when the AFLW Best and Fairest takes place on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium.
A number of players are expected to poll strongly on the night, following impressive seasons from some of Geelong's top talent.
Take a look below at the top contenders, some rising stars to keep an eye on, and a brief history of the award.
THE CONTENDERS
Aishling Moloney
Moloney's record breaking season should see her poll well on Saturday night, with a number of incredible performances throughout her 2024 campaign.
Kicking 21 goals for the year, Moloney booted two majors or more on six different occasions including a six-goal haul against West Coast (Week 9), and four goals against Gold Coast (Week 4).
The star forward also averaged over 14 disposals and five score involvements per game, having a big impact on Geelong's season.
Becky Webster
Perhaps Geelong's most consistent player for the year, Becky Webster put together another great season off half back.
Averaging a career high 20 disposals per game, Webster also collected 5.5 intercept possessions per game while leading the Cats in metres gained.
With her run and carry a feature and the ability to break a game open, expect to see Webster contend on Best and Fairest night.
Georgie Prespakis
The reigning best and fairest winner was solid once again in 2024, with Prespakis leading the way through the midfield each time she stepped on the field.
In nine appearances this season Prespakis averaged over 20 disposals, five tackles and five clearances per game.
After winning her inaugural best and fairest award last year, expect to see Geelong's star midfielder near the top of the leaderboard again in 2024.
Nina Morrison
Morrison put together a sensational 2024 season, asserting herself as one of the most dominant on-ballers in the competition.
The star midfielder averaged over 20 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances per game, while also adding 10 contested possessions and four score involvements each match.
It was a terrific campaign from Morrison, so expect to see her poll strongly on Saturday night.
SET TO RISE
Mikayla Bowen
Playing a number of different roles in 2024, Mikayla Bowen had a terrific season averaging career highs in disposals (16), tackles (6.2) and score involvements (3.8).
After missing out on a top 10 finish in last year's best and fairest, expect to see Bowen poll strongly in 2024.
Anna-Rose Kennedy
After making her AFLW debut in last year's Preliminary Final, Anna-Rose Kennedy cemented her spot in the backline with a brilliant 2024 season.
Playing primarily as a lockdown defender, Kennedy finished 13th in the competition for one percent efforts, while winning 14 of her 17 defensive one on one contests.
LAST YEAR’S RESULTS
1. Georgie Prespakis – 188 votes
2. Nina Morrison – 163 votes
3. Amy McDonald – 82 votes
4. Claudia Gunjaca – 69 votes
5. Becky Webster – 53 votes
6. Jackie Parry – 50 votes
7. Aishling Moloney – 34 votes
8. Chloe Scheer – 23 votes
9. Chantel Emonson – 21 votes
10. Meghan McDonald – 19 votes
PAST WINNERS
2019 – Meg McDonald
2020 – Olivia Purcell
2021 – Amy McDonald
2022 (S6) – Amy McDonald (2)
2022 (S7) – Amy McDonald (3)
2023 – Georgie Prespakis
THE VOTING SYSTEM
At the completion of each AFLW match, the senior coach awarded a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rating for the five best players by his estimation. The three AFLW line coaches were also required to award a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rating each to the best five players by their estimation. These ratings are then combined, with 20 votes being the maximum number any player can receive for an AFLW Round.
