ALL-AUS GONG FOR MCDONALD:
GEELONG skipper Meg McDonald has capped another stunning season, named in the 2021 AFL Women’s AllAustralian team.
The inspirational Cats defender earned her second AA gong in three seasons, named in the backline alongside Adelaide’s Sarah Allan.
A member of the 2019 AFLW All-Australian outfit, McDonald was the sole Geelong player to make the team this season.
Six news faces made the team, while veterans Emma Kearney (North Melbourne) and Karen Paxman (Melbourne) earned an incredible fifth consecutive All-Australian nod at the W-Awards on Tuesday night.
After last year’s W-Awards were held in isolation at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year they were held at locations across the country, including Melbourne’s Crown Palladium, Perth’s Optus Stadium and Adelaide’s Adelaide Oval.
The premiership-winning Brisbane Lions — still celebrating their 18-point win over the Crows in Saturday’s decider — gathered at The Gabba for the ceremony and saw their near-impenetrable defender Kate Lutkins — fresh off a Grand Final best on ground honour — be awarded her third All-Australian.
Preliminary finalists Collingwood led the way with four players named in the team, including Brittany Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher, who both received their first All-Australian nod.
The four other new faces were St Kilda’s Georgia Patrikios, Carlton’s Breann Moody, Richmond’s Katie Brennan and Fremantle’s Janelle Cuthbertson.
Crow Erin Phillips, who is expected to undergo arthroscopic surgery on her left knee this week, was honoured with her third All-Australian nod.
Collingwood’s co-captain Brianna Davey, who was given her second All-Australian nod after a career-best 23.8 disposal season, was named captain of the side, with Fremantle’s Kiara Bowers named vice-captain.
Seven players retained their spots from last year’s 2020 team – Allan, Lutkins, Kearney, Kiara Bowers (Fremantle), Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne), Paxman, Alyce Parker (Greater Western Sydney).
Melbourne midfielder Tyla Hanks was named as the AFLW’s Rising Star for 2021.
Brisbane’s Courtney Hodder was named as the winner of the 2021 Goal of the Year for a running shot, which also required her to collect up her own soccer effort, in Round 9 against Melbourne.
Adelaide’s Danielle Ponter took Mark of the Year for a Round 8 screamer in front of goal, where she leapt above a pack of Western Bulldogs and even managed to turn her back to her opponent mid-air.