Glenelg’s Jess Bates wins 2022 SANFLW Best and Fairest, Advertiser Team of the Year revealed
The 2022 SANFLW Best and Fairest has been awarded along with the Team of the Year ahead of this weekend’s grand final. See who won the honours.
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The SANFL Hostplus Women’s League Best and Fairest and Advertiser Team of the Year have been revealed at the competition’s awards night for 2022.
This season – that saw the competition play 12 rounds for the first time – has had it all, from dramatic club turnarounds and breakout superstar campaigns to the rise of the league’s multiple young champions of the future.
The competition saw the introduction of the SANFLW Development League, which provided the best young female players in the state with a pathway to playing at the highest level.
For the second season running, women’s matches were also live streamed on advertiser.com.au, further giving stars a chance to showcase their skills to a huge audience.
Ahead of this weekend’s grand final between North Adelaide and Sturt, we can now reveal who made the 2022 Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year and who was awarded league Best and Fairest.
***SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL TEAM OF THE YEAR LIST***
JESS BATES WINS BIG
Superstar Glenelg midfielder Jess Bates was awarded the 2022 League Best and Fairest after a spectacular season for the Bays, having previously finished runner-up in 2021.
The 26-year-old - who got back into footy just a few years ago at SMOSH West Lakes - polled 22 votes to edge Central District captain Shelby Smith (20 votes) and North Adelaide’s Jess Edwards (19 votes) and take the crown for 2022.
The 2021 Glenelg club Best and Fairest led the league in multiple statistics this season including disposals, clearances, tackles and Champion Data ranking points.
She was adjudged best afield on five separate occasions on her way to becoming the first Bays player to win the award since Courtney Gum in 2017.
“It’s unbelievable really,” Bates said of winning the award.
“If you told me a few years back I would not believe you. It’s surreal.”
“It definitely feels worth all the work through the years standing up here tonight.”
While Bates had a standout year for Glenelg, she made sure to credit her teammates and coaches for the award.
“Having people like the girls a the Bays makes it easy to play your best,” she said.
“All the coaches and support team around me as well, they help a lot and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Glenelg could not back up its 2021 premiership season this year, losing to Sturt in last Sunday’s preliminary final, but Bates said she fully enjoyed the season regardless of results.
“It’s a great club and there are so many great girls.
“I just love the game and it’s awesome to see so many talented girls coming through around me. It’s good fun.”
TEAM OF THE YEAR REVEALED
The 2022 Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year included an even spread from each club, but it was grand finalists North Adelaide and Sturt who boasted the most members, with four each.
Breakout star Hannah Ewings solidified a spot in the forwardline after a spectacular season in which she finished top seven league-wide for disposals and top six for goals (15).
Star Roosters rover Jess Edwards – second overall for disposals (311) – also made the side after dominating on the ball for her club through the season, while young gun Amelie Borg’s impactful play off half-back was rewarded.
Veteran mid Katelyn Pope won a spot on the interchange.
Sturt coach coach Michael O’Connor – who helped take the club from seventh last year to second in 2022 - was named coach of the team.
Georgia Bevan slots in at half-forward after a fantastic season for the Blues creating for teammates at high efficiency, while young gun Kiera Mueller fills a spot in the backline through her strong contest work and reliable play out of defence.
Isobel Kuiper takes a spot on the interchange.
Glenelg, who finished third this year, boasts three members after another strong year, headlined by superstar midfielder Jess Bates who led the league in disposals (344) and also led tackles by a total of 49.
Inspirational Tigers leader Ellie Kellock earned a spot at half-back and was also named captain, while up and coming star Sarah Goodwin also slides in at half-back.
League leading goalkicker Alana Lischmund takes a forward spot for Norwood after booting 18 majors.
Fellow Redlegs Jade Halfpenny and Sachi Syme take an interchange spot respectively after consistent years for the red and blue.
Exciting half-forward Jess Waterhouse is one of South Adelaide’s two representatives, capping off a strong 16-goal season in style, and is joined by experienced midfielder Nicole Campbell.
Central District star Shelby Smith makes yet another Team of the Year as rover and is accompanied by dominant ruck Isabelle Starmer.
Eagles youngster Shineah Goody – the 2022 U18 national championships MVP – finishes a standout season in the midfield with a selection, while Eagle McKenzie Dowrick rounds out the forwards.
Reliable West Adelaide captain Madi Russell has been rewarded for her strong debut season in the role with a spot in the backline, and the team is rounded out by young star Keeley Kustermann on interchange.
The 2022 Team of the Year was selected by SANFL general manager of football Matt Duldig, female talent manager Robbie Neill, female talent coordinator Bek McMahon, football operations coordinator Daniel Joyce, head of football operations Sean Toohey, media producer Zac Milbank and Messenger sports reporter Daniel Renfrey.
2022 SANFLW TEAM OF THE YEAR:
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