A maiden All Australian blazer for Maddi Gay headlined Essendon’s night at the annual AFLW Awards on Monday.

Gay was named on the half back line in the side, solidifying her place among the league’s very best after a season that held career-highs in virtually every statistical category.

The 28-year-old featured in all 12 games this season, with her season highlights including a 33-disposal effort against the Blues to help secure a finals spot in the last round, as well as a near-AFLW record 789 metres gained in round two’s win over West Coast.

While Gay held up the defence, it was a pair of midfielders who led the way in the W Best and Fairest voting, with Maddy Prespakis and Georgia Nanscawen ranking among the elite at the top of the leaderboard.

Prespakis finished outright third on the night with 18 votes, just five away from winner Ebony Marinoff, while Nanscawen (who also made the All Australian squad of 42) ranked equal-fourth with 17 votes of her own.

Amy Gaylor was also recognised for her campaign, finishing third in the Rising Star after a productive and composed first season at AFLW level.