All the contenders and Cats who should poll well in Geelong’s AFLW best-and-fairest count

Two Cats will go into Geelong’s AFLW best and fairest count hot favourites, but several teammates are sure to lay their claim. See who should poll well at Saturday’s vote.

Mikayla Bowen, Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis all enjoyed strong campaigns with Geelong in 2024. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Geelong will crown a new best and fairest winner tomorrow night.

But will we see a new face take home the coveted club prize, or will the likes of Georgie Prespakis be able to back-to-back? And who will finish top 10?

We take a look at the contenders below.

Aishling Moloney kicked a league record 21 goals this year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Aishling Moloney

The Irish star was arguably the Cats’ most impactful player in 2024 but will it see her crowned best and fairest in just her second year in the sport?

A podium finish would be expected after kicking a league-record 21 goals, with the 26-year-old bringing genuine flair to the field with her athleticism and agility while proving more efficient with her disposals and goalkicking compared to her rookie year.

Should command maximum votes in a handful of games, including her performance against Richmond (22 touches, six marks and a goal) and West Coast (18 touches, six goals) while she kicked two goals or more in six games.

The question will be does her quieter performances in round 1, 3 and 10 hinder her chances against a very consistent Nina Morrison?

Nina Morrison was a leader both on-and-off the field in 2024. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Nina Morrison

After finishing third in 2022’s season seven before a runner-up finish last year, the trajectory indicates Morrison could bring home her first club best and fairest in what was one of her most consistent seasons to date.

Earned selection alongside Moloney in this year’s all-Australian squad, with Morrison a workhorse in a midfield at times without Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald.

Averaged 20.8 disposals while increasing her numbers of tackles (7.1), marks (2.5), and pressure acts (24.9) — particularly in defensive half (13.7) — with a season-high 26 disposals against Gold Coast in round 4 and a standout performance in game 50 against Adelaide with 25 touches and 10 tackles.

Georgie Prespakis

Last year’s winner missed two games early in the year with injury but was able to return and build on her form each week, averaging 20.2 touches, 5.7 tackles and 5.6 clearances a game. Was at her best against Hawthorn in round 5 with 21 disposals, seven tackles and a goal, while she pulled in a season-high 27 touches against West Coast in round 9.

Becky Webster proved a major threat off half-back for Geelong this season. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Becky Webster

A regular vote-getter in her time at Geelong — with two podium finishes and a fifth-place in 2023 — Webster enjoyed career-high numbers for disposals (20) and intercepts (5.5) primarily off halfback this year, though her versatility meant she was also used through the midfield at times. Joined Morrison as a vice-captain this year, with her best game against Melbourne in round 1 with 20 touches, seven tackles and 400 metres gained.

Mikayla Bowen

A move from the wing to half-forward has reaped rewards for the 23-year-old, Bowen enjoying her best season in hoops, kicking five goals and averaging 16.1 disposals and 6.2 tackles. Her best two games came in round 3 (17 touches, 11 tackles) and round 4 (25 touches and a goal).

Others in the mix

Amy McDonald has been a regular on the podium since 2021, including three straight wins from seasons 5-7. While we’d expect the star midfielder to poll well early after in her round 1 and 2 performances against Melbourne (28 touches, nine tackles) and Kangaroos (27, five), a mid-season hamstring injury which sidelined her for four games should rule her out of a top finish later in the count.

Jackie Parry was a strong marking target both in attack and defence. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Forward Jackie Parry finished second for goals behind Moloney with 12 this year, with her marking at both ends of the ground — deployed into defence at times — and efficiency in front of goal strengths, while young winger Zali Friswell continues to get better with each season and was at her best against North Melbourne in round 2 with 18 disposals, seven tackles and five marks.

Unheralded defender Chantel Emonson, though slightly down on last year’s numbers which saw her finish ninth in the count, continued to impact, increasing her metres gained including a season-best 440 in round 10, while fellow defender Anna-Rose Kennedy is sure to rise up the rankings this year after featuring in just one game in 2023 after battling injury.

The Irishwoman played all 11 games in what was a breakout season, and was at her best against Brisbane (591-metres gained, 18 touches, four marks) in round 8.

Originally published as All the contenders and Cats who should poll well in Geelong’s AFLW best-and-fairest count