Erin Phillips’ week of agony and ecstasy continues as AFLW players vote her best in the league
She is preparing for a knee reconstruction but dual Adelaide Crows premiership star and newly crowned MVP Erin Phillips will fly to Melbourne to attend the W Awards on Tuesday night.
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She is preparing for a knee reconstruction but dual Adelaide Crows premiership star Erin Phillips will fly to Melbourne to attend the W Awards on Tuesday night.
Phillips — a hot favourite to win her second AFLW best and fairest award following her 2017 triumph — is expected to undergo a second knee reconstruction on her return to Adelaide after having her right knee rebuilt in 2007 following an injury on the basketball court.
This time the injury is to her left knee.
Phillips missed the AFLW MVP awards in Melbourne on Monday as she rested and had further medical examination of her damaged knee following her shocking injury in the third quarter of the Crows’ stunning 45-point grand final triumph against Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
First-year Crow Chloe Sheer also is expected to have a knee reconstruction after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in the second quarter against the Blues.
Phillips’ week of agony and ecstasy continued when she became the first multiple winner of the AFLW Players’ Most Valuable Player Award.
Her second MVP honour — she also won in 2017 — followed her best-on-ground medal win in the grand final.
Phillips also won the best-afield medal when the Crows beat Brisbane to claim their first premiership two years ago.
The first dual-winner of the AFLW Players' MVP! @CrowsAFLW co-captain @erinphillips131 has been crowned the 2019 MVP, presented by @GloriaJeans. https://t.co/w0EaAi2Fz2 pic.twitter.com/vcNThHdtXH
— AFL Players (@AFLPlayers) April 1, 2019
The 33-year-old former Australian basketballer won the MVP by a whopping 36 votes, polling 143 to easily beat runner-up, Fremantle’s Kiara Bowers (107), and Collingwood’s Ashleigh Brazill (85).
She has been such a star in the three years of the AFLW that inaugural Adelaide premiership coach Bec Goddard has suggested the best and fairest medal be named after her.
Phillips described her latest MVP — an award voted on by the players — as “a truly humbling experience’’.
“Individual accolades don’t sit that well with me because it’s your teammates and coaches who help you get to the level but I’m proud of what I’ve been able to achieve in my AFLW career so far,’’ said Phillips, who also won this year’s AFL Coaches Association AFLW Champion Player of the Year Award.
“There’s a huge amount of talent running around in the AFLW and it’s increasing every year.
“The future of the competition is brighter than ever and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”
In another big day for the Crows, who have won two of the three AFLW premierships after their classy demolition of the Blues, Phillips’ co-captain Chelsea Randall won the Most Courageous Award for the third consecutive season.
Illustrating her tremendous passion, commitment and fearless attitude and how highly she is respected by her peers, Randall is the only winner of the award.
This year she polled 105 votes — 21 more than runner-up Bowers (84).
Carlton skipper Brianna Davey narrowly edged out Phillips in the Best Captain Award.
She won by one vote, 53 to 52. Randall was third with 45.
Blues youngster Madison Prespakis, 18, easily won the Best First Year Player Award.
Her 149 votes was a massive 79 more than runner-up Alyce Parker (35) from Greater Western Sydney.
AFLW PLAYERS’ MVP
Erin Phillips (Adel) 143
Kiara Bowers (Frem) 107
Ashleigh Brazill (Coll) 85
MOST COURAGEOUS
Chelsea Randall (Adel) 105
Kiara Bowers (Frem) 84
Brianna Davey (Carl) 35
BEST CAPTAIN
Brianna Davey (Carl) 53
Erin Phillips (Adel) 52
Chelsea Randall (Adel) 45
BEST FIRST YEAR PLAYER
Madison Prespakis (Carl) 149
Alyce Parker (GWS) 35
Sabreena Duffy (Frem) 26
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