The AFLW 2022 season comes to a close...for the second time this year. Take a look at GameDay Squad's predictions for tonight's awards in what was a very exciting Season 7 of AFLW.
Mark Of The Year
Chloe Scheer - Round 4
What don't you love about a player courageously running back with the flight of the ball and taking a solid pack mark in heavy contact. Sheer has shown time and time again that she has no fear and is prepared to put her body on the line. She is always reliable and a big reason why the Cats have moved up the ladder this season.
Goal Of The Year
Akec Makur Chuot - Round 8
A brilliant effort to spoil the mark, regather the ball, sell some candy to one defender and then drop punt it under pressure from another defender. This goal is a statement to all Forwards that defensive pressure in the forward 50 does really pay off. Chuot's effort only just beats out the Round 10 nomination from Ashanti Bush, who magnificently snapped outside of the boot from the pocket at top speed.
Rising Star Award
Charlotte Thomas - West Coast Eagles
Thomas was selected by the Eagles at pick number 3 in the 2021 Draft and in her first season she averaged 10 disposals and 2 marks per game, generally across halfback. Her talent was obvious but it was clear that she had a lot of room to grow. This potential was on display in Round 7, where she gathered 23 disposals and 7 marks (most of which were intercepts).
Charlotte has utilised that experience from Season 6 and taken her game to a whole new level in Season 7. She looks more mature on the field, exuding confidence to take intercept marks rather than rush and spoil. This has increased her average disposals up to 15 per game and increasing her rebound 50s from 1.6 per game to 5.4 per game, ranking her 4th in the league for rebound 50s. This increase has also helped her fantasy score to almost double to 60 points per game, which is quite impressive for a defender. Whilst West Coast did have a rough season, Charlotte did everything she could to move the Eagles forward from the back line, averaging over 300 metres gained per game, the second highest of the Eagle's squad and 12th overall for the entire league.
Best and Fairest - Top 3
3. Amy McDonald - Geelong Cats
Amy had a great season and was a big reason why Geelong made their first Finals series this year. Her influence out of the middle was massive with an average of 25 disposals, ranking 1st in the league at 64% efficiency and a league high of 75 clearances for the season.
2. Jasmine Garner - North Melbourne
Garner was very strong at the Roos this year, putting up strong figures all season. She was 2nd in the league for metres gained (averaging 400m per game), 3rd for clearances and 4th for marks. She also tied 1st for score involvements and 1st for inside 50s, averaging over 5 per game. With such impressive stats, it is hard to see Jasmine being beaten for the top spot, but there is one other midfielder who just might pip her...
1. Ebony Marinoff - Adelaide Crows
Ebony was a standout for the Crows this season, pairing up with the other Crows livewire Anne Hatchard (who we hope doesn't take too many votes away from Ebony this season) to set the tone for the Crows midfielders to dominate the opposition. Marinoff led the league for disposals at 312 and metres gained at 5517, 2nd for inside 50s and tackles, averaging 10 tackles per game.
Ebony thrived off high pressure acts and one-percenters, which meant that wherever the ball was, she was never far away. In Season 6, Ebony finished 3rd in the B&F count, largely due to Hatchard polling 20 votes to Marinoff's 18 votes. These two players had a combined 38 of the total 52 votes that Adelaide players received. This season however, Ebony should poll in more games as Anne has dropped her average fantasy score by approximately 10 points per game. I feel that the tide is changing at the Crows and this time around Ebony will find herself as the AFLW best and fairest for Season 7.
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