Western Bulldogs captain Ellie Blackburn has further etched her name into the history books, claiming her fifth Club Best and Fairest award on Thursday night.
Blackburn led from start to finish in the count, polling 97 of a possible 120 votes and securing an unattainable lead by the end of round eight.
She finished 39 votes clear of second-placed rising star Elisabeth Georgostathis, with co-vice captain Kirsty Lamb rounding out the podium with 51 votes.
Blackburn has now won the last four Club best and fairests – sharing the honour with Lamb in season six – and has never finished lower than second in the count.
Her 2023 campaign was near impossible to fault, averaging 27 disposals, five marks, four tackles and six clearances.
Georgostathis enjoyed her best season to date after a move into defence, averaging 17 touches, four marks and four tackles, while also taking home the Most Improved Award on the night.
Lamb battled hard as she always does, averaging 15 disposals, three clearances and five tackles in 2023.
She was also awarded the Leading Goal Kicker with seven majors.
In other awards, Rylie Wilcox received the Trainers’ Award, Bailey Hunt was voted the Domestique, Jess Fitzgerald was named the Best Young Player, and Isabella Grant won the Club Community Award.
Club Best and Fairest voting process: at the conclusion of each match, the senior coach and three assistant coaches individually awarded as many 3-2-1 votes as they like. A player can obtain a maximum of 12 votes for any game.
Top 5 – 2023 AFLW Western Bulldogs Best and Fairest
- Ellie Blackburn (97 votes)
- Elisabeth Georgostathis (58)
- Kirsty Lamb (51)
- Isabella Grant & Gabby Newton (40)
Other award winners
Trainers’ Award – Rylie Wilcox
Club Community Award – Isabella Grant
Domestique – Bailey Hunt
Best Young Player – Jess Fitzgerald
Most Improved – Elisabeth Georgostathis
Leading Goal Kicker – Kirsty Lamb
