Carlton AFLW player Brianna Davey has been crowned the first-ever best and fairest female footballer.

Following the inaugural AFLW season, Davey received the honour at the W Awards on Tuesday night.

The ceremony – held at Peninsula, Docklands – saw the defender poll _ votes to take out the AFLW’s equivalent of the Brownlow Medal, ahead of Melbourne Star Daisy Pearce (_votes) and Adelaide co-captain Erin Phillips (_votes).

A versatile Brianna Davey proved a difficult task for opposition players in 2017. (Photo: AFL Media)

The former Matilda’s goalkeeper asserted her dominance on the AFLW competition in Round 1 where she amassed 26 disposals against Collingwood.

Davey’s skill and talent saw her continue to bolster Carlton’s line-up until she sustained a back injury against Adelaide in Round 3.

Despite missing the following match against Melbourne, a determined Davey returned in Round 5 to notch up an impressive 16 disposals against the Western Bulldogs.

In the final two rounds of the competition, Davey was again among Carlton’s best after she gathered 14 disposals against Fremantle and 15 against the Lions.

As a result of her performance across the 2017 AFLW season, Davey – alongside fellow Carlton marquee Darcy Vescio – was also named within the Virgin Australia AFL Women’s All Australian Team of 22 players.

The Carlton Football Club congratulates Bri on an outstanding first season in the navy blue.