The AFLW team may technically be in “off season” but like the men, they have all just finished a regular season playing for their respective clubs in the QAFLW competition.
Ahead of the Merrett-Murray Medal tomorrow night, let’s take a look at some of the achievements of our AFLW players, who are dominating in the Queensland league.
Emily Bates, a foundation player for the AFLW team, last month received Queensland football’s highest honour, the QAFLW’s Best and Fairest winner. The midfielder played for the Yeronga South Brisbane Devils in 2019, who unfortunately bowed out in the preliminary final.
Bates has played her entire football career for the Devils and was drafted from there with Pick No.2 for the Lions in the 2016 AFLW Draft. She would then go on to be the inaugural Lions AFLW Best and Fairest winner in 2017 and is a two-time All Australian.
Her teammate Jessica Wuetschner was awarded the Coorparoo Kings Senior Women’s Best and Fairest award in their QAFLW premiership year. Wuetschner who is known for her accuracy in front of goal as a small forward, played the entire season in the Kings’ backline, wanting to further develop her game. Her Kings teammate and Lions 2019 AFLW draftee Jade Ellenger finished just behind her in second place.
Breanna Koenen was another who was recognised for her merits on field, winning the University of Queensland’s Red Lions Best and Fairest award.
Soon Koenen, Bates, Wuetschner and Ellenger will have new teammates for 2020 with the AFLW Draft set to take place on October 22nd. Keep an eye on lions.com.au for all the latest news.
