Nina Morrison has capped off a stellar 2024 season, claiming her first Geelong Cats AFLW Best and Fairest award.
The 23-year-old played all 11 games in 2024, averaging 20.8 disposals, 7.1 tackles and 3.9 clearances a game. She also hit the scoreboard, kicking five goals across the season.
Morrison’s best and fairest win comes after the hard-working midfielder had podium finishes in 2023 (runner-up) and 2022 Season 7 (third).
Polling 138 votes to win the award, Morrison finished ahead of Aishling Moloney with 98 votes and Georgie Prespakis on 74 votes.
Moloney, who announced herself in 2024 as a star of the competition, kicked 21 goals to win the AFLW leading goalkicker award, alongside Brisbane’s Taylor Smith.
After claiming the AFLPA Best First Year Player in 2023, Moloney continued her form in her second season of AFLW, which included a six-goal display against the Eagles in Round 9, enroute to being named in the All-Australian squad of 42.
2023 Geelong Cats AFLW Best and Fairest winner Prespakis continued to establish herself as one of the elite midfielders of the competition, averaging 20.2 disposals, 5.7 tackles and 5.6 clearances per game and, for the fourth-consecutive season, has been included in the AFLPA 22Under22 squad.
Becky Webster’s season was recognised, finishing fourth in the count on 59 votes, with Rachel Kearns finishing fifth on 48 votes.
In other awards on the night, Kate Darby was named the Geelong Cats AFLW Carter Family Community Champion for an incredible fourth time, in recognition of her remarkable commitment to the community. Darby previously won the award in 2019, 2023 and was joint-winner alongside Georgie Rankin in 2022 Season 7.
Mikayla Bowen received the values-based Hoops Award, for the second time after winning the award in AFLW Season 7.
The Hoops Award is voted on by players at the conclusion of the season, recognising the player who best demonstrates care for her teammates’ wellbeing, champions the Club’s and team’s values, works for the greater good of the Club, and positively engages in all aspects of the AFLW program.
2024 Geelong Cats AFLW Best and Fairest Top 10
- Nina Morrison – 138 votes
2. Aishling Moloney – 98 votes
3. Georgie Prespakis – 74 votes
4. Rebecca Webster – 59 votes
5. Rachel Kearns – 48 votes
6. Jackie Parry – 42 votes
7. Amy McDonald – 40 votes
8. Mikayla Bowen – 38 votes
9. Julia Crockett-Grills – 37 votes
10. Anna-Rose Kennedy – 22 votes
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.
