Ally roars to medal triumph
GRAND finalist Lion Ally Anderson kicked off her lead-in to the premiership decider in ultimate style, claiming the AFL Women’s league best-andfairest medal.
The Brisbane midfield star – who was not named in the season seven All-Australian team – took honours in the count that went down to the final game, finishing on 21 votes for the 10-game season, edging Tigers star Monique Conti (19) by two votes after taking three votes in the three final games of the season.
“I’m in disbelief right now. All the girls were more confident than I was … but I’m just really shocked, to be honest,” Anderson said. “I’m a bit lost for words.”
She was presented the medal by reigning award winner and Lions teammate Emily Bates, with the team staying in Brisbane for the event as Sunday’s grand final looms.
Previous winner, Essendon’s Madison Prespakis, and triple-premiership Crow Ebony Marinoff rounded out the top four.
It was a thrilling count. Anderson, Greater Western Sydney ballwinner Alyce Parker, Prespakis and Marinoff were all tied into the final
rounds, but it was Anderson’s blistering showings against Collingwood (26 disposals), Richmond (21 disposals) and Adelaide (15 disposals) that secured the victory.
Conti’s 30-disposal, fiveclearance game against Carlton in round 8 went unrewarded.
Two-time Lions best-andfairest winner Anderson is hunting a second AFLW premiership on Sunday, when the Demons will travel to Brighton Homes Arena at Springfield. “It’s definitely a big week, and this has made it even bigger, I guess,” Anderson said.
“I’ll have to move on pretty fast, because my main focus is the grand final.”
Anderson said it was “disappointing” for all players – including her – who didn’t earn All-Australian selection.
“At the end of the day, it didn’t really matter to me … (when I wasn’t selected) I thought I definitely won’t be up there with the votes,” she said. “I had a consistent year and am surrounded by such great teammates.”
If anything, she thought her Lions teammates would all pinch votes off one another.
“I’m surprised I polled as well as I did in a team like we have,” she said. “Everyone performs.”