AT 21 years of age, the sky is the limit for best-and-fairest winner Keeley Sherar.

Taking home the top prize at Carlton’s 2024 AFLW Best and Fairest, the midfielder was a clear winner with her standout season in Navy Blue, where she averaged 22 disposals and seven tackles a game.

Sherar’s determination and ability to weave out of the contest held her in good stead in 2024, where she received votes in all 11 games she played.

As a lifelong Bluebagger, taking home the coveted award had a little bit of extra meaning for Sherar and her family.

“It’s such an honour to be recognised by all the coaches and everyone for this award,” Sherar said.  

“It’s extra special as a Carlton supporter to take away this award –  I never thought I would be playing footy and to be here at the Club and winning this award is such an honour and something that I’ll hold very close to me forever.”  

To many, it was no surprise that Sherar would poll extremely well in the best-and-fairest count, having displayed consistency and the ultimate resolve in tough situations. 
 
While the Blues’ campaign wasn’t as successful as they had hoped, the 21-year-old used every opportunity to put her best foot forward and drive her team towards their goal. 
 
This was evident in Sherar’s outing against eventual premiers North Melbourne, where despite a heavy defeat for the team, the midfielder gathered 26 disposals, 10 contested possessions and laid 10 tackles.
 
Thanking her teammates and the Club for their ongoing support, Sherar is confident that the Blues are taking steps in the right direction for sustained success in the future. 
 
“I think we have such a good group of players and I think throughout the whole year, everyone gets around everyone – especially tonight, I’ve got a lot of congratulations,” she said. 
 
“I think everyone should be proud of the year they had and we’ll definitely take all that energy into next year and moving forward.” 

Briefly after claiming her first best-and-fairest victory, Sherar was already thinking of what she could do to improve in the future. 

Keen for a break and a getaway, the 21-year-old is itching to hit the gym and work on her skills, ensuring she comes back in 2025 bigger and better than ever – no easy feat for a player of her calibre.

“I think I’ll go away in this off-season, have a break and then definitely go and focus on getting stronger and fitter,” she said.

“With the way the competition is going, just focusing on my skills and being able to execute them under pressure in games.”