Dylan Landt, Jed Anderson and Jasmyn Hewett among best and fairest favourites
Who will take home the men’s and women’s best and fairest medals on the Nichols medal night? We take a look at some of the top contenders to take out the NTFL accolades.
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There’s been no shortage of standout players in the 2023-24, with the stars of each club putting up their hands to hold the medal on the NTFL’s night of nights.
In the men’s competition, reigning medal winner Dylan Landt and Southern Districts’ big new recruit Jed Anderson have been the favourites for the majority of the year.
While Jasmyn Hewett has starred once again in the colours of her still undefeated Queenants, alongside teammate Reni Hicks.
The winner cannot have faced a ban at any stage in the season, which will mean certain leading lights are out of contention.
We’ve had a look at the front runners from throughout the season, while also picking out some outside chances from the men’s and women’s competitions.
Check out the Rising Star nominees here
WOMEN’S BEST AND FAIREST CONTENDERS
Jasmyn Hewett (PINT)
Hewett has enjoyed yet another stunner of a year for the Queenants, often taking up the captaincy in her sides push for a third flag in four seasons.
The star ruck picked up the women’s best and fairest for her performances in the 2020-21 season, which led to her club’s first ever Premier League flag.
Now, three years on and with an AFLW premiership with the Adelaide Crows in her trophy cabinet as well she looks likely to repeat the feat.
Hewett is prolific in the ruck and across the midfield, and won the best on ground as captain in the NTFL rep match against Essendon.
Reni Hicks (PINT)
Hicks has been named in her side’s best more than other player in the competition with 12 from 16 appearances, which is an impressive feat considering the quality of her side.
The former Carlton AFLW player is now in her fourth season in the NTFL, and has been knocking on the door of the best and fairest for some time.
It would be a fitting way for Hicks to cap off another stunning year in which her Queenants have reached the grand final undefeated.
Maighan Fogas (Nightcliff)
Nightcliff’s most consistent player from the season and more than worthy recipient of NTFL rep duty honours against Essendon.
Has been named in her side’s best in nine out of her 17 matches, and has been crucial in her side’s push towards the prelim final.
Her work ethic is one of her most valued assets, never a player to bow her head when the going gets tough and always fighting to give her side every inch the ball she can.
Jo Miller (St Mary’s)
The St Mary’s best and fairest recipient could go one better and win the medal for the league’s best player after a very strong season.
Another who performed well while on rep duty and hasn’t shied away from the contest at any stage while playing for the Green Machine either.
Her absence was felt in the semifinal against PINT, and that’s probably the biggest sign of how much she has contributed to St Mary’s second place finish.
Ruby O’Dwyer (Waratah)
Defenders aren’t always favoured for top honours, but the heart O’Dwyer showed as the last line of defence for Waratah must surely have caught some attention.
While not a match played for votes her most recent performance in a losing effort in the knockout semifinal against Nightcliff was indicative of her entire season.
O’Dwyer attacked every play coming her way and never gave up almost earning her side the win, and if that’s just one game she would have racked up plenty of respect from the 17 previous.
Outside contenders:
Ella Ward (Palmerston) – Ward was one of the top performers in a Palmerston side that is clearly heading in the right direction. The ruck allowed her midfield to be in the contest at every bounce and took the challenge to the league’s best.
Steph Lawrence (PINT) – You don’t kick 66 goals, 28 clear of the next most, across the season and not find yourself with a few votes to your name. Lawrence’s ability to gather the ball off the ground or from a mark has set her side a great platform.
Sophie Hatzismlais (Nightcliff) – Named in her side’s best 11 times from 17 appearances, the utility defender can do it all. A great option for her side when they come up against an opposition speedster, due to her pace and ability to lock her foes down.
Billie Byers (St Mary’s) – A consistent performer for the Green Machine all season, and someone who has form winning best and fairest medals. She came into the comp off her Big Rivers medal win, and has shown in her midfield battles why she earned it.
NICHOLS MEDAL CONTENDERS
Dylan Landt (St Mary’s)
Landt is the reigning Nichols medallist and it’s hard to deny he’s going to be in the fight once again earning favouritism early on.
The St Mary’s skipper smashed the previous NTFL disposal record when he picked up 56 disposals against the Tiwi Bombers in what was surely a three vote performance for Round 7.
It won’t be the only game where he picked up the three votes with both performances against Waratah likely candidates among others.
It’s probably easier to suggest games where the prominent possession getter who loves a goal won’t get points, those being clashes against Nightcliff and Round 18 vs Buffaloes.
Has so far won something in every NTFL season that being the 2020-21 NT News Player of the Year, 2021-22 premiership and 2022-23 Nichols.
Jed Anderson (Southern Districts)
The AFL 99-gamer slotted right into life in the NTFL, shocking some initially when he joined Southern Districts instead of the Darwin Buffaloes.
But the Crocs’ jersey has more than suited him this season, and being named in the best players 13 times (twice in finals) from 18 games is a fitting endorsement to his medal claims.
A premium ball getter who possesses a massive, thumping kick capable of cancelling out many a defensive set-up.
A six goal showing against Wanderers in Round 11 and a 30 touch / three goal performance against PINT in Round 4 are two of his more obvious chances at the three votes.
Already has a best on ground medal for his performance in the NTFL rep game.
Scott Carlin (Waratah)
The most consistent player for Waratah through the season and the most likely player to disrupt the Anderson / Landt favouritism.
Carlin had an outstanding start to the season and was frequently around the ball, and the umpires, in some of Waratah’s most important wins.
Was named in his side’s best on 11 occasions from 18 matches, and constantly talked about as a player his side can rely on in the midfield.
Much like the rest of his midfield comrades can go forward and kick a goal or three himself, and it’s usually the performances he did, such as Round 11, where he will pick up points.
Brodie Filo (Nightcliff)
Is the dual Nichols medal winner ever truly out of the race?
Finished the regular season second on the disposal count with 455 touches, only behind Landt, and always had something to contribute to his side.
A player who gets better the more he’s challenged and allowed to play his game where his long kicks and powerful running have become an integral part of Nightcliff’s game plan.
Will likely pick up plenty of points for his near-constant presence on the ball, while being able to kick goals from a long way out would have put him front and centre in the umpire’s minds.
Jarrod Stokes (Darwin Buffaloes)
Could this be the year Jarrod Stokes gets his Nichols Medal after several seasons of being in contention for the prized gong?
He will suffer from Buffaloes losses through the middle of the season, but Stokes was integral for the majority of his side’s victories.
Stokes possesses explosive pace that often leaves opposition midfielders for dust and his big boot has contributed more than once to nailing on a lead.
Ryan Nyhuis (Nightcliff)
Nightcliff have had a great season, but they’re a side that are consistent across the board with plenty of their players likely to have picked up votes from each other.
However, their skipper might poll well for his work rate and ethic in a back line that has made some of the league’s best offences look clueless.
He has led the charge down back and has taken on some of the toughest foes, and at times he’s shown the version of himself that goes forward and kicks a few goals (seen in his AFL debut).
Outside chances:
Connor McDonald (PINT) – The PINT ruck has had a supreme year for the Greenants working well not just in the middle, but right across the midfield. Led the competition for clearances and racked up 308 disposals.
Baxter Mensch (Buffaloes) – Played just 12 out of 16 games for the Double Blues, but with 440 touches had the highest disposal count per game of any player. Surely someone the umpires would have seen plenty of.
Nate Paredes (Saints) - A key member of the Saints midfield who really came to life post the Christmas break. Missed just two games for the season, gathered plenty of the ball and ranked second for clearances with 88.
Brodie Carroll (Waratah) - The premiership winning captain had another strong year in the red and whites. Gathered plenty of the ball, tackled hard as he normally does and has the ability to be in the exact position his teammates need him to be.
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Originally published as Dylan Landt, Jed Anderson and Jasmyn Hewett among best and fairest favourites
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