CARLTON midfielder Madison Prespakis has been named the Club’s AFLW Best and Fairest winner for 2022.
Prespakis polled in every round and finished the count on 60 votes ahead of teammates Kerryn Harrington (57), Mimi Hill (54), Breann Moody (49), Paige Trudgeon (49) and Gab Pound (46).
The now three-time Club Best and Fairest winner was at her dominant best throughout the season, averaging over 20 disposals, which included a career-high 29 disposals in the Round 2 win against Geelong.
Prespakis showed strength in all areas of the ground, especially up forward with numerous goal assists throughout the season.
The midfielder was previously named Carlton’s Best and Fairest in 2019 and 2020, as well as taking out the 2019 NAB AFLW Rising Star award and 2020 AFLW Best and Fairest.
A second-place finish for Harrington follows her third All-Australian honours on Tuesday evening.
The Blues' skipper was also selected by her teammates as the Most Valuable Bluebagger – an award presented to a player who makes significant contributions both on and off the field and lives to the Club values consistently throughout the season.
Harrington was her usual best acting as a pillar of strength in the backline, earning the respect of her teammates and peers throughout the competition.
Fresh off her 2022 NAB AFLW Rising Star win, Hill stormed home in the final six rounds of the competition where she was named one of the Game Changers’ best players in all games she featured in to place third after returning in Round 5 from an ACL injury.
The 19-year-old showed blistering form in her six games this season, averaging over 21 disposals and working in sync with the likes of Maddy Prespakis and Abbie McKay in the midfield.
Rookie of the Year winner Trudgeon played all ten games this season and firmly cemented her place in the side, while Daisy Walker was the recipient of the Coaches' Award after a solid season which saw the young defender produce a career-best performance in Round 9 against Gold Coast with 14 disposals, seven kicks and five tackles.
Carlton AFLW Senior Coach Daniel Harford was proud of the work of all award winners, including Prespakis who was back to her best this season.
“To be a three-time Club Best and Fairest winner at 21 years old is something that deserves to be celebrated,” Harford said.
“Maddy is obviously a considerable talent and is constantly targeted by opposition, but she simply takes it in her stride to perform for the team every week.
“It is also great to see Kerryn and Mimi rewarded for outstanding seasons, and it really was a tight finish with no runaway leader, showing that our playing group is developing an even contribution across the board and are working together to achieve team success.
“The entire side came together this season and thrived in a positive, supportive and inclusive environment, and on the back of some strong results in the last four rounds, we are looking forward to continuing that form next season.”
Final leaderboard:
Maddy Prespakis - 60
Kerryn Harrington - 57
Mimi Hill - 54
Breann Moody - 49
Paige Trudgeon - 49
Gab Pound - 46
Club awards:
Most Valuable Bluebagger - Kerryn Harrington
Coaches Award - Daisy Walker
Rookie of the Year - Paige Trudgeon
