North Adelaide star Anne Hatchard joint best and fairest winner after voting mistake
‘I’m just happy to share the experience with Rachelle’ - The SANFLW best and fairest was a tie after a North Adelaide star was robbed of votes during a game where she finished with 42 touches.
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North Adelaide SANFLW star and Crows AFLW-listed midfielder Anne Hatchard is the joint women’s best and fairest winner.
The league announced Hatchard as the joint winner with West Adelaide’s Rachelle Martin on Friday following a SA Football Commission investigation into a mistake in voting.
The investigation found Hatchard missed out on receiving a maximum three votes in round five after racking up a record 42 disposals.
The three votes in North’s victory over Sturt went to Hatchard’s teammate Alex Fitridge who was also wearing long sleeves but only recorded three possessions.
Last week, the SANFL crowned West Adelaide midfielder Rachelle Martin the best and fairest winner with 15 votes, while Hatchard finished second with 12.
After being announced the joint winner, Hatchard told The Messenger she was proud to tie with Martin.
“I’m happy to be able to share this award with Rachelle Martin,” Hatchard, 22, said.
“She’s such a great player and I really admire the way she plays.
“We played one game together at the Crows this year and she did a lot of training together, so hopefully I’ll be able to play with her in the future again.
“It’s awesome to have such a good year this year and hopefully I can continue that coming into the next AFLW season.”
The Roosters’ 77-point victory over the Double Blues at Peter Motley Oval on June 27 was also Hatchard’s debut in the SANFLW with North.
Hatchard, who led the Roosters to their inaugural SANFLW grand final win last Sunday, also won the best-on-ground medal after the flag decider.
The prolific ball-winner was also crowned the Crows’ AFLW club champion in June — a well deserved award win after she broke the AFLW record for most disposals when she had 35 touches against Brisbane in round one this season.
SANFL general manager of football Matt Duldig said the voting mistake was due to an administrative error by the officiating umpires.
“The clear intent from the umpires on the day was to award three votes to Anne,” Duldig said.
“On that basis, it was only fair that a genuine error which was made aware to us be corrected and that Anne be rightfully honoured for her tremendous season.
“Anne shone in every game in the competition this season and, together with Rachelle Martin, is a very deserving winner of the league’s highest honour,” he said.
Hatchard also shared the coaches’ award with Martin, polling 48 votes each.