YOUNG star Madison Prespakis has incredibly made it back-to-back Carlton best and fairest awards in just her second AFLW season.
The 19-year-old backed up her 2019 NAB AFLW Rising Star debut season to claim the Club’s highest individual honour for the second consecutive year.
The Club held a virtual best and fairest count, with the support of new platinum partner Big Ant, via video link on Thursday night with players, coaches, staff and family members.
The greatest best and fairest interview you will ever see.
— Carlton Women's (@carltonfc_w) April 23, 2020
Starring Grace Egan (??), here’s our No.13 putting the ‘MC’ in Lucy McEvoy! ???? pic.twitter.com/lgHYmhL4eB
Prespakis began the vote count with a best afield performance against Richmond in Round 1 before eventually finishing with 74 votes, ahead of teammates Chloe Dalton (56), Georgia Gee (43) and first-year players Grace Egan (41) and Lucy McEvoy (39). The midfielder was also awarded the Big Ant Fan award.
It follows yet another accolade on Monday, when Prespakis was named vice-captain of the AFLPA 22under22 team as well as finishing second in the AFLPA AFLW MVP award.
The tough-as-nails teenager took the extra attention from weekly taggers in her stride this year, averaging over 21 disposals and four clearances a game in a season that saw the Blues book yet another preliminary final appearance.
.@HarfSerious: "We've got a chance to be a better footy team, to be the best footy team. I love your care for one another."
— Carlton Women's (@carltonfc_w) April 23, 2020
The Senior Coach is dressed for the occasion, too. pic.twitter.com/UDFP5ZCPMg
A second-place finish for Dalton sees the Rugby Sevens convert continue her rapid progression as one of the premier runners in the AFLW competition.
Four of the top five finishes in the vote count were 20 years of age or younger, with Gee (20 years old), Egan (19) and McEvoy (18) highlighting the enormous opportunity for growth in the Game Changers for years to come.
Gee, what a season.
— Carlton Women's (@carltonfc_w) April 23, 2020
Everyone’s favourite player has come in third at tonight’s AFLW Best and Fairest! Very well played, GG. ?? pic.twitter.com/RPOicqSc5F
Gee also received the Hyundai Rising Star award for the most improved player on the back of a season that saw her boot eight goals from seven games and earn a spot in the All-Australian squad.
Egan, selected with pick No.13 in last year’s NAB AFLW draft, was named the VISY best first-year player while Jess Edwards won the highly respected MC Labour Carlton Way Blue Bloods award, voted on by teammates and staff, for being a tremendous club person throughout the 2020 campaign.
Carlton AFLW Senior Coach Daniel Harford expressed his pride at the achievements of Prespakis and the other award winners on the night.
“For Maddy to be a dual best and fairest winner at 19 years of age is a remarkable achievement,” Harford said.
“She handles the attention she receives from the opposition every week with class and sets a great example for our entire playing group. Maddy already has an impressive list of individual awards but it is the team success that really drives her and we love that. She is going to be a fantastic player for the Carlton Football Club for a long time to come.
“It is fantastic to see Chloe rewarded with a second-place finish: the work she has put in to take her game to a new level this season has been the definition of professionalism.
“To also have Georgia, Grace and Lucy win awards and finish in the top five of the best and fairest shows the bright future our playing group has. They are a tight-knit unit who enjoy each other’s company.
“We can’t wait to get back out there next year, in front of our fans, and do everything we can to earn success and play great football in the Navy Blue jumper.”
