AFLW stars Ellie Blackburn and Sabrina Frederick-Traub began their AFLW 2.0 campaigns in stunning fashion and have been rewarded with maximum votes in the AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year Award.
2018 will result in the inaugural AFLW coaches award announced at season’s end, with Blackburn and Frederich-Traub impressing their respective coaches, polling 10 votes each for their Round 1 efforts.
Blackburn collected 23 disposals, seven marks and kicked a goal in the Bulldogs 26-point win against Fremantle at the Whitten Oval, receiving best-on-ground honours ahead of skipper Katie Brennan, whose three
Frederick-Traub collected 10 marks, seven of which were contested, from 14 touches in the Grand Final rematch at Norwood Oval with teammate Jamie Stanton the next best with seven coaches votes.
Collingwood first-gamer Chloe Molloy was the talk of Friday night’s clash at Ikon park and the 19-year-old’s 20 disposals, while keeping Carlton live-wire Darcy Vescio goalless, earned her seven votes from the coaches.
AFL Coaches’ Association votes for Round 1:
CARLTON V COLLINGWOOD
7 Harris (Carl), 7 Molloy (Coll), 5 Pound (Carl), 4 Stevens (Carl), 3 Davey (Carl), 2 Ross (Coll), 1 Chiocci (Coll), 1 Loynes (carl)
MELBOURNE V GWS GIANTS
9 Pearce (Melb), 6 Cranston (Melb), 5 McWilliams (GWS), 5 O’Dea (Melb), 3 Gum (GWS), 2 Scott (Melb)
ADELAIDE V BRISBANE
10 Frederick-Traub (BL), 7 Stanton (BL), 6 Lutkins (BL), 5 Randall (Adel), 1 Anderson (BL), 1 Zielke (BL)
WESTERN BULLDOGS V FREMANTLE
10 Blackburn (WB), 8 Brennan (WB), 6 Kearney (WB), 2 Donnellan (Frem), 2 Hooker (Frem), 1 Janz (Frem), Lochland (WB)
LEADERBOARD
10 — ELLIE BLACKBURN (WB)
10 — SABRINA FREDERICK-TRAUB (BL)
9 — DAISY PEARCE (MELB)
8 — KATIE BRENNAN (WB)
7 — TAYLA HARRIS (CARL)
7 — CHLOE MOLLOY (COLL)
7 — JAMIE STANTON (BL)
6 — RICHELLE CRANSTON (MELB)
6 — KATE LUTKINS (BL)
6 — EMMA KEARNEY (WB)
Frederick-Traub has also been nominated for the Round 1 MVP. Vote now to make sure she secures the win!
