THE stage is set for Carlton’s 2018 AFLW Best & Fairest, proudly presented by Anaconda.
On Tuesday night, the Blues will crown their newest AFLW Best & Fairest, with the Blue Bloods and Most Improved Player awards also up for grabs.
Four coaches (senior coach and three line coaches) have the opportunity to vote for as many players as they feel warrant a vote for each game on the following scale:
- 4 votes – outstanding performance
- 3 votes – excellent performance
- 2 votes – above expectation performance
- 1 vote – expected performance (trademark game)
A player therefore can receive a maximum of four votes from four coaches giving a maximum of 16 possible votes.
Ahead of the count, we break down the players who performed the best in each round of the season and will potentially be recognised by the coaches for their efforts.
ROUND 1
Bri Davey only played two games before injury ended her season early, but the skipper had an exceptional impact on both occasions, accumulating 16 disposals against Collingwood.
Nicola Stevens recorded a team-high 260m gained along with 11 disposals. Tayla Harris was instrumental with five marks and a goal. Gab Pound was all over the contests winning nine contested possessions. Shae Audley’s pressure was influential (10 tackles and 21 pressure acts) in shutting down the Pies.
Danielle Hardiman stood firm in defence and should poll votes for her role in keeping Mo Hope goalless.
Tayla Harris stole the limelight on the opening night of the 2018 AFLW season. (Photo: AFL Media)
ROUND 2
Davey was phenomenal yet again, with her 16 disposals and game-high nine intercepts putting her in the frame for top votes.
Sarah Hosking broke the then-AFLW record for tackles (16) and is expected to poll, while Shae Audley (six clearances), Darcy Vescio (six score involvements) and Jess Hosking (team-high 10 uncontested possessions) were all stellar in the Blues’ interstate victory against GWS.
ROUND 3
Maddison Gay was a shining light in the loss to Brisbane with 11 disposals, six clearances and one goal, while Stevens and Sophie Li led the disposals count with 13 apiece.
Breann Moody stood up in the backline in the absence of Bri Davey, taking three contested marks.
Audley (21 pressure acts), Kerryn Harrington (eight contested possessions) and Sarah Hosking (two score assists) will also be in the mix for votes.
Maddison Gay was a shining light in the loss to Brisbane. (Photo: AFL Media)
ROUND 4
On a dirty night against the eventual premiers, stand-in skipper Sarah Hosking could hold her head high with 18 disposals (11 contested).
Lauren Arnell returned to the side, booting two classy majors, while Moody battled hard in defence with a game-high six intercepts.
Gay (11 disposals) is also expected to poll.
ROUND 5
Moody produced another stellar performance and was rewarded with a NAB Rising Star nomination. The coaches are likely to agree, which will see her poll strongly in the loss to Adelaide.
Kate Gillespie-Jones (game-high nine intercepts), Katie Loynes (10 tackles) and Harrington (eight uncontested possessions) also impressed, while Sarah Hosking starred with 11 disposals and Harris collected 11 disposals and a goal.
Breann Moody earned a Rising Star nomination for her performance against Adelaide. (Photo: AFL Media)
ROUND 6
Gillespie-Jones backed up her impressive Round 5 performance with a team-high 13 possessions against Melbourne.
Vescio and Georgia Gee, who kicked her first AFLW goal, may also be awarded votes for their impact in the Blues’ forward half.
Loynes and Stevens could potentially poll for their seven and five tackles respectively.
ROUND 7
Harris produced another exceptional display in the Blues’ loss to Fremantle with 15 disposals and two goals.
Sarah Hosking (15 disposals and nine tackles) capped off a brilliant season, while Alison Downie's (finished third in last year’s Best and Fairest count) two-goal performance will see her poll strongly.
Loynes (14 disposals and one goal), Gay (nine possessions and six tackles) and Arnell (nine disposals) are also expected to be among the vote-getters.
Overall, Davey is likely to lead the count across the early part of the season, but after Round 3, expect Gay, Loynes, Audley and Moody to be in contention for their consistent seasons.
Sarah Hosking looms as the one to beat, however, for her consistency and efforts as acting captain.
