A tight tussle between a pair of proven performers and the emergence of an exciting new talent led to a thrilling finish in the vote count for the Lions AFLW Best and Fairest on Sunday.
It was foundation Lion Emily Bates who capped another outstanding season by being crowned the Club’s first dual Best and Fairest.
The inaugural winner claimed the award in a tense count that went right down to the wire, just edging out another former champion Kate Lutkins by three votes at a function at the Springwood Social Club.
Bates’ victory was not confirmed until the final round and was then crowned the Best and Fairest for 2020 by Lions chairman Andrew Wellington.
Lions’ AFLW CEO Breeanna Brock said Bates’ deserved every platitude that came her way because of her incredible consistency and commitment to continuous improvement.
“She is always ready to play, this a well deserved result for her,’’ she said.
It could so easily have been Lutkins who was crowned for a second time.
The pair shared top votes twice each with Bates considered best on ground against Geelong and Fremantle while Lutkins’ efforts against Adelaide and Geelong impressed.
She was presented with her award by Brock who paid tribute to the example she set for the entire team.
“Luttsy was All Australian again, that shows she just fronts up every week,” Brock said.
“She works hard, is very professional and leaves no stone unturned in her efforts to be the best player she can be.’’
Lutkins was also judged the Players Player, presented by inaugural skipper Emma Zielke.
First year sensation Cathy Svarc was third and all in attendance agree she has what it takes to one day win the award.
It was the exclamation mark on a stunning debut season for the midfielder who romped home as the best first year player and was also ranked the 19th best player in the league by Champion Data.
Svarc, who was also presented the best First Year player by last year’s winner Jesse Wardlaw, did not play footy until she moved to Brisbane in 2018 and wandered into the Wilston Grange club, having been inspired by the launch of the AFLW competition.
She was also twice considered the best in games against Carlton and GWS.
Brock said Svarc had been a revelation and the entire Club was excited to see how far she could advance.
“She’s a naturally gifted athlete who has come into an AFLW program and excelled,’’ she said.
“There has been massive improvement.
“It was immediate over her first pre-season but you can also see it each week she plays, it is scary to think how good she can become.”
Sophie Conway added the Most Relentless award, presented by Daniel Merrett, to her fourth pacing in the vote count while last year’s winner Ally Anderson rounded out the top five.
Triple premiership Lion and AFLW assistant coach Clark Keating was on hand to present the prestigious All for One award to Sharni Webb.
“She just displays the values of our club so well,’’ Brock said.
“She lives that team first mentality which makes her an incredible teammate.’’
AWARD WINNERS
B&F: Emily Bates
Runner(s) Up: Kate Lutkins
Best 1st year: Cathy Svarc
All for One: Sharni Webb
Most relentless: Sophie Conway
Most competitive: Natalie Grider
Players’ player: Kate Lutkins
TOP 10 VOTES
Bates - 94
Lutkins - 91
Svarc - 88
Conway - 80
Anderson - 80
Lugg - 72
Wardlaw - 72
Koenen - 69
Arnell - 68
Campbell – 67
