Jasmine Garner has topped off a stellar season, taking out the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos best and fairest award on Thursday night.
Garner’s standout season saw her crowned club champion for the third time with 208 votes, ahead of Ash Riddell (175) and Jenna Bruton (174) in third place.
Garner got off to a blistering start in Round 1, recording 27 disposals and a goal to celebrate her 50-game milestone.
In her seventh AFLW season, and fifth as a Roo, the 28-year-old averaged 22.8 disposals and five tackles per game. Garner recorded 296 total disposals for the season, the third highest in the League and the most disposals, contested possessions, clearances, marks, handballs and score involvements of any Roo across the season.
Named All-Australian for the fifth consecutive season, Garner was also named captain of the side for Season 7. Garner played all 13 games in the royal blue and white this season to take her AFLW games tally to 62.
“This is a just reward for an all-round terrific season from Jas, it’s thoroughly deserved,” North Melbourne AFLW senior coach Darren Crocker said.
“Jas is a fantastic person, not only is she a great player on-field, but she also plays a significant role in helping to build our team culture.
“As a coach, she is what you want in a player. From her on-field strengths to her qualities as a leader and person. We are lucky to have Jas.”
Last season’s club champion Riddell finished in second place, with the midfielder continuing to do what she does best in the centre of the ground.
Riddell’s work-rate and ability to accumulate the football never wavered. The 26-year-old put on a standout performance at the MCG in Round 2, recording 26 disposals and eight tackles.
Bruton finished third, just a single vote behind Riddell.
A veteran of the AFLW competition, the former Bulldogs premiership player marked her 50-game milestone in Round 8.
The 27-year-old was at her dependable best all season, playing one of her best games in the Roos’ semi-final victory over Richmond.
A hard-running midfielder yet quiet achiever, Bruton is one of the more underrated players in the competition.
Voting system
The AFLW senior coach rates each player out of 10 points and assistant coaches provide a combined rating for each player worth 10 points, making 20 points the most possible votes in any round.
Best Young Player Award – Erika O’Shea
The Best Young Player Award acknowledges those players who have been making their mark within the club and the AFLW in the past two years. Players must be under 22 at the first game of the season to qualify for this award and previous award winners cannot win multiple times. This award is voted by the North Melbourne coaching staff.
Shinboner of the Year Award – Jenna Bruton
The Shinboner of the Year award epitomises the club values – real, bold, belonging and never beaten. Each week the players nominate who they believe stands for the Shinboner values. This award is a culmination of all Shinboner of the Week awards voted on throughout the year.
Mazda Next Level Performer Award – Jasmine Garner
Voted by the members and fans, the Mazda Excellence Award acknowledges the player that best illustrated power, toughness, strength and performance.
Best Clubwoman Award – Amy Smith
The Clubwoman Award is for the player who epitomises everything about unselfishness, has a team-first attitude, goes beyond the call of duty, not just on the field for the 22 players selected each week, but for the whole playing list and club. This award is voted by the North Melbourne coaching staff.
