Marinoff backs up her AFLW best and fairest win with prestigious MVP

‘I was the only girl’: Marinoff crowned league best and fairest in thrilling count

Ebony Marinoff has won the coveted AFLW best and fairest award, edging out North Melbourne’s Ash Riddell in a thrilling count at Crown Palladium on Monday night.

The Crows’ midfield star finished with 23 votes from the 11-week home-and-away season, ahead of Riddell (20) and Essendon’s Maddy Prespakis (18).

Speaking on stage after her win, Marinoff praised the evolution of the league and said her earliest memory of footy was being five years old and “playing with the boys and being the only girl”.

“To be a foundation player with so many girls.. We are just so proud to have the league we have and it’s continuing to grow,” she said.

Marinoff had a career-best 2024, averaging 30.5 disposals,16.5 contested possessions and 26.7 pressure acts.

During her speech, Marinoff thanked her family, her “Papa Jim” and gave special recognition to her number one fan – her mum.

“She hasn’t missed a game… she’s at the game week in and week out,” she said.

Marinoff also paid tribute to her teammates, coach and “Crows family”, and gave a shout-out to North Melbourne midfielder Jasmine Garner.

“One day, Jazzy will be up here,” Marinoff promised the audience.

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The ultimate gong has eluded Garner, described by her coach Darren Crocker as a “generational” talent.

In 2023, Garner was crowned player of the year by AFLW coaches and was the AFL Players Association most valuable player, but finished seventh in the league’s best and fairest – a surprising result that led to Essenon’s Jess Wuetschner tweeting: “Jas Garner officially invisible.”

The 30-year-old has had another stellar season but was again out of contention on Monday evening, finishing with 12 votes. But she and Riddell won’t mind missing out if they can topple the Brisbane Lions in Saturday’s night’s grand final.

Marinoff, Garner pick up seventh All-Australian accolades

Garner and Marinoff both made the All-Australian team for the seventh time – closing in on Roos captain Emma Kearney, who has eight blazers.

Kearney, who missed a large chunk of the season with a hamstring injury, was not selected, ending her run of eight straight seasons in the team.

The two midfielders were recognised with leadership positions as Garner was named as captain and Marinoff vice captain.

This is Garner’s second year serving as the All-Australian captain; she was also awarded the honour in 2022.

Twelve players received their maiden All-Australian blazers and eight retained their spot in the side from the 21 picked in 2023.

West Coast young gun Ella Roberts, who turns 20 next month, was the youngest player named in the team.

Irish talent in the league remains strong with Aisling McCarthy, Aishling Moloney and Aileen Gilroy all claiming places in the team.

Scholz rises, again

Port Adelaide young-gun Matilda Scholz clinched this year’s Rising Star award after a sensational season in which she also claimed mark of the year.

In the third quarter of Port’s week seven clash against Collingwood, Scholz charged into a pack, launching off a Pies defender’s shoulder to pull off a spectacular overhead mark – which she converted into a goal.

The 19-year-old ruck – who was also named in the All-Australian squad – averaged 21.7 hitouts, 4.5 hitouts to advantage, 4.1 clearances, 3.7 tackles, 13.6 disposals and 10.5 contested possessions across her 10 matches in the home-and-away season.

Scholz received 57 out of a possible 60 votes to be crowned the Rising Star ahead of teammate Shineah Goody (48 votes) and Essendon’s Amy Gaylor (26). She is the second player from Port Adelaide to win the award, joining 2022 winner Hannah Ewings.

When asked what she would do with the prize money, Scholz joked that she still lived with her parents.

“They’ll probably kick me out now,” she laughed. “I’ll probably save it [the money].”

Goal of the year went to Adelaide’s Hannah Munyard for her brilliant checkside major from the pocket in the week six clash against St Kilda.

North Melbourne will face the Brisbane Lions in a repeat of the 2023 grand final match-up on Saturday at Ikon Park at 7.45pm – the league’s first nighttime decider.

Tickets for the grand final went on sale on Monday 12pm AEDT for club members and 2pm AEDT for the public. The capacity for the venue is 13,000.

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