With Essendon preparing to host its third annual AFLW Best and Fairest awards on Friday night, there are several key Dons in the running to take home the club’s top honour.
While the Bombers’ usual suspects and experienced heads are a strong chance to be near the top, some breakout players from 2024 could also see their names rocket up the leaderboard.
Essendonfc.com.au lists just some of the Bombers in contention.
Maddy Prespakis
12 games
Averages: 23 disposals, five clearances, three tackles
Could 'Maddy P' make it two out of three?
The star midfielder had another industrious season in 2024 and could be around the mark to secure a second club Best and Fairest in three seasons, after finishing runner up last year.
The 23-year-old was a staple in big games for the Dons particularly over the midweek footy period, where her 32-disposal effort against the Dees at Windy Hill and two-goal outing on the Gold Coast were standouts from the season.
Despite the abrupt end to her season from an untimely injury in the finals, Prespakis continues to excel as one of the competition’s premier midfielders.
Georgia Nanscawen
12 games
Averages: 23 disposals, six clearances, six tackles
Long sleeves, flowing hair and zinc cream stand out on a footy field – even more so when you’re racking up clearances for fun.
The Bombers’ main inside presence, Nanscawen’s rise continued this season, as evidenced by her top four finish in the league Best and Fairest last week, just a vote behind Prespakis in third.
Nanscawen’s grunt work in the middle often propelled attack and her strong tackling provided welcome assistance on the other side of the ball – she finished as one of the club’s best in the Elimination Final against the Dockers with 20 touches and 11 tackles.
Already a Dons’ VFLW Best and Fairest winner from 2022, another honour could very well be added to the 32-year-old’s growing resume on Friday.
Maddi Gay
12 games
Averages: 20 disposals, five marks, three tackles
Was there a better recruit in football than Maddi Gay this year?
The 28-year-old former Dee steadied up the Bombers’ defence massively in 2024, enjoying a career year and featuring in every game of a season for the first time in her eight seasons at the level.
Gay was able to play mostly as an interceptor to great effect, flourishing when floating across as a ‘third player up’ and giving the Dons strong representation behind the ball.
In big games, her experience proved crucial. Gay’s 33 touches and 10 marks in the final round against the Blues helped tidy up a place in the finals for the Bombers and capped off a stellar first season in red and black.
Named All Australian for the first time in her career this year, a maiden Best and Fairest nod could also be on the agenda.
Georgia Clarke
12 games
Averages: 13 disposals, four marks
On the note of shouting out defenders, Georgia Clarke was arguably the Dons’ biggest improver in 2024.
Throughout the four-game winning streak mid-season, Clarke’s sturdy defensive play anchored the Bombers, including a starring outing against the Dogs in round seven that held 25 disposals and 10 marks on the last line.
The 23-year-old grew in confidence as the year progressed and partnered nicely with Maddi Gay relieving duties in defence, finding more of the ball and typically looking composed in the face of pressure.
Still equipped with plenty of scope for improvement, 2024 was a breakout year from Clarke and could be just marking the start of her rise as a leader within the club.
