Western Bulldogs AFLW midfielders Libby Birch and Emma Mackie have received a place in this year’s Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s Team of the Year, announced on Monday night at Crown Palladium.
Despite only playing eight games, 20-year-old Birch enjoyed a dominant season for the Western Bulldogs VFLW side, averaging 18 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles and 3 rebound 50s.
Hawthorn VFLW captain and Western Bulldogs AFLW player Emma Mackie was named alongside Birch for her stand-out season with the Hawks, where she averaged 20 disposals (15 contested), 7 clearances, 5 tackles and 3 inside 50s across 11 games.
Mackie also received 15 votes in the Lambert-Pearce medal count, placing her in fifth position behind leading goal-kicker Darcy Vescio.
Western Bulldogs AFLW vice-captain Ellie Blackburn also landed within the top 10 of the Lambert-Pearce Medal count, securing an outstanding 10 votes over just five VFLW appearances.
2018 Lambert-Pearce Medal leaderboard
NAME | CLUB | VOTES |
Jess Duffin | Williamstown | 23 |
Lauren Pearce | Darebin Falcons | 17 |
Angela Foley | NT Thunder | 16 |
Darcy Vescio | Carlton | 15 |
Emma Mackie | Hawthorn | 15 |
Ashleigh Riddell | Melbourne Uni | 14 |
Mia-Rae Clifford | Geelong Cats | 14 |
Nat Exon | Darebin Falcons | 13 |
Richelle Cranston | Geelong Cats | 11 |
Chloe Molloy | Collingwood | 10 |
Ellie Blackburn | Western Bulldogs | 10 |
Jaimee Lambert | Collingwood | 10 |
Meg Hutchins | Hawthorn | 10 |