Farewells

DAVEY JOINS PIE GREATS

TOP HONOURS:

Magpie co-captain Brianna Davey and Tiger youngster Ellie McKenzie (below) were recognised by their peers.

Collingwood co-captain Brianna Davey joined an elite cohort of Magpies, winning the AFLW Players Most Valuable Player Award for her outstanding 2021 campaign.

In a close result, the 26-year-old was voted the MVP by her peers with 319 votes, edging out Fremantle hard-nut Kiara Bowers (313) and the Western Bulldogs’ Ellie Blackburn (214).

Davey became only the third Magpie to claim an MVP trophy, joining Collingwood champions Darren Millane (1990) and Dane Swan (2010).

After starting her AFLW career as a defender with Carlton, Davey, a foundation player who earned the Best Captain Award in 2019 before crossing to the Magpies for the 2020 season, spent time as a midfielder with stints inside forward 50 in 2021.

Davey led the competition in disposals, averaging 23.8 a game, and was in the top 10 for metres gained, contested possessions, clearances, marks, tackles, score involvements and inside 50s.

Heart-and-soul Adelaide skipper Chelsea Randall won the Most Courageous Award – her fourth title in five years after winning three consecutive awards from 2017-19 – polling 117 votes ahead of the Western Bulldogs’ Kirsty Lamb (69).

Bulldogs skipper Ellie Blackburn claimed the Best Captain Award with 86 votes, ahead of three-time winner Daisy Pearce (62).

The players also crowned another newcomer, with Richmond’s Ellie McKenzie taking out the Best First-Year Player Award. McKenzie, pick No. 1 in last year’s draft, polled 137 votes, beating Bulldogs youngster Jess Fitzgerald (63).

The 2021 W Awards will be held on Tuesday night, hosted by Fox Footy’s Sarah Jones and featuring Fox Footy’s Katherine Loughnan.

The W Awards will recognise the AFLW Best and Fairest, NAB AFLW Rising Star, All-Australian Team, Four’N Twenty Mark of the Year and Rebel Goal of the Year.

The live vote count will be broadcast from five locations around Australia – the SCG, the Gabba, Adelaide Oval, Crown Palladium and Optus Stadium.

WINNERS AND TOP POLLING PLAYERS

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

1. Brianna Davey (Coll) 319 2. Kiara Bowers (Frem) 313 3. Ellie Blackburn (WB) 214

MOST COURAGEOUS

1. Chelsea Randall (Adel) 117 2. Kirsty Lamb (WB) 69 3. Nicola Stevens (Carl) 27

BEST CAPTAIN

1. Ellie Blackburn (WB) 86 2. Daisy Pearce (Melb) 62 3. Brianna Davey (Coll) 44

BEST FIRST-YEAR PLAYER

1. Ellie McKenzie (Rich) 137 2. Jess Fitzgerald (WB) 63 3. Courtney Hodder (BL) 56

BOWING OUT:

(clockwise) Aasta O’Connor, Sharni Norder and Sam Virgo have all hung up the boots.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

LACHIE ESSING pays tribute to this year’s crop of retiring players.

AASTA O’CONNOR

Clubs: Western Bulldogs/Geelong Games: 32 Goals: 4 Span: 2017-21 u O’Connor was an inaugural player for the Bulldogs and the Cats. She won a premiership with the Dogs in 2018 and was traded to Geelong for the 2019 season. O’Connor was a great leader and role model for the game.

SAM VIRGO

Clubs: Brisbane/Gold Coast Games: 29 Goals: 3 Span: 2017; 2019-21 u An All-Australian half-back in 2017, Virgo played in the Lions’ first Grand Final before missing the 2018 season due to an ACL injury. Joined Gold Coast in 2020 and was co-captain for two seasons.

SHARNI NORDER

Club: Collingwood Games: 23 Goals: 5 Span: 2019-21 u The former netball international made a successful transition to AFLW and became the Pies’ No. 1 ruck over the past three seasons. Had a breakout year in 2020 when she made the All-Australian side.

SALLY RILEY

Clubs: Adelaide/Gold Coast Games: 23 Goals: 4 Span: 2017-21 u A utility player who could fill many different roles. Was a premiership vice-captain for the Crows in 2017. Went on to play for the Suns in their inaugural season and first finals match in 2020. A great leader and respected by her teammates.

LEAH MASCALL

Club: Fremantle Games: 19 Goals: 0 Span: 2018-21 u The former hockey player was a small lockdown defender for Fremantle. Always made good decisions and had great kicking skills. Mascall played 19 matches across her first three seasons, but missed the 2021 season due to an ACL injury.

SELENA KARLSON

Clubs: Western Bulldogs/St Kilda Games: 3 Goals: 0 Span: 2019-21 u Karlson played three matches in her career, all for the Bulldogs in 2019. The key defender was traded to St Kilda in 2020, but was plagued by injuries across her two-year span with the Saints.