North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos stars Jasmine Garner, Emma Kearney and Ash Riddell have been nominated by their peers for the AFLPA MVP award.
The entire player pool have submitted their votes on the competition’s most valuable, most courageous, and best first-year players, as well as the best captain.
Garner, who won the award in 2020, put together another stellar season in 2022, having averaged 20.9 disposals, 4.1 marks, 3.8 inside 50s and a goal over 11 matches.
The dual best-and-fairest winner and triple All-Australian’s most impressive performances for the Kangaroos came when the stakes were highest.
She registered 29 disposals in a 10-point win over Fremantle in Round 5, and collected 26 disposals, six marks and three goals in a 23-point victory over Collingwood in Round 7.
Kearney, the League best-and-fairest winner in 2018, is now in the running for the ultimate peer recognition, having taken her acceleration and composed ball use to half-back.
Over 10 games she recorded an average of 19.1 disposals, 7.2 intercepts, four marks and three rebound 50s.
The skipper is also in pursuit of a sixth consecutive All-Australian place, and among the nominees for best captain.
Riddell has mounted a powerful case to take out the MVP award, having averaged 29.3 disposals, 3.9 tackles and 3.6 inside 50s to go with five goals for the season.
In the final round, she smashed the disposal record she held jointly with Adelaide duo Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard, as she gathered 42 disposals against West Coast.
Jasmine Ferguson is the Kangaroos’ nominee for Best First-Year Player, having settled into new-look North Melbourne backline.
Snapped up with pick 51 in the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft, Ferguson missed only one game in her debut season.
When experienced defender Danielle Hardiman was sidelined at the start of the season, Ferguson’s presence next to ruck-forward turned defender Brooke Brown was crucial.
In Round 4, the 22-year-old went to Carlton forward Darcy Vescio, the competition’s all-time leading goalkicker, and restricted them to seven disposals and one goal.
Tahlia Randall has also been nominated for the Most Courageous Player, a characteristic exemplified by her stunning pack mark in the Round 3 win over Greater Western Sydney.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday night.
