The outstanding seasons of Western Bulldogs Ellie Blackburn and Emma Kearney were acknowledged at the Peninsula in Melbourne last night, with the presentation of the W Awards, celebrating the achievements of the first season of the AFL Women's competition.
Bulldog midfielder Ellie Blackburn capped a great season by polling 10 votes to finish runner-up to Adelaide's Erin Phillips in the AFLW Best and Fairest Award. Phillips polled 14 votes, with Blackburn sharing second place with Melbourne's Karen Paxman.
Blackburn's fine season received further recognition when was named along with teammate Emma Kearney in the 2017 Virgin Australia AFLW All-Australian Team.
Both Blackburn and Kearney had prolific seasons, playing all seven matches. Kearney, who polled seven votes in the Best and Fairest to finish in the top six, finished the competition with an average of 21.4 disposals per game, with Blackburn averaging 19.4. Only Paxman and her Melbourne teammate Daisy Pearce averaged more.
Blackburn also kicked six goals, ranked eighth in the competition. She was named on the half-forward line, with Kearney one of three players named on the All-Australian centreline.
The competition's Rising Star award was won by Adelaide's Ebony Marino. Bulldog Bailey Hunt received a nomination for the award after the Dogs' Round 1 win over Fremantle.
2017 Virgin Australia AFL Women's All Australian team
Defenders: Nicola Stevens (Collingwood), Courtney Cramey (Adelaide), Chelsea Randall (Adelaide), Brianna Davey (Carlton), Karen Paxman (Melbourne)
Midfield: Elise O'Dea (Melbourne), Daisy Pearce (Melbourne), Emma Kearney (Western Bulldogs), Emma King (Collingwood), Kara Donnellan (Fremantle), Emily Bates (Brisbane Lions)
Forwards: Erin Phillips (Adelaide), Sabrina Frederick-Traub (Brisbane Lions), Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs), Sarah Perkins (Adelaide), Darcy Vescio (Carlton)
Interchange: Jessica Dal Pos (Greater Western Sydney), Kate McCarthy (Brisbane Lions), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Tayla Harris (Brisbane Lions), Melissa Hickey (Melbourne), Sam Virgo (Brisbane Lions)
