Suns AFLW Club Champion: All the winners and how they were decided
Last night, the Suns celebrated their first ever AFLW Club Champion awards. We sat down with Suns Head of Women’s Football Fiona McLarty to celebrate each winner and reflect on the season gone.
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Last night, the Suns celebrated their first ever AFLW Club Champion awards.
Although it looked a little different than usual, players gathering via video chat to celebrate their fellow teammates, it was still a historic night as the AFLW debutants celebrated a season of firsts.
We sat down with Suns Head of Women’s Football Fiona McLarty to celebrate each winner and reflect on the season gone.
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“We were really keen to announce the winners and get the group together, at least over Zoom, to celebrate the season. The players will get their trophies when we can safely gather again as a group but it was really important for us to be able to recognise players. We had so many firsts this season as a club and this is our first virtual awards ceremony. We’ve been on an amazing journey and it was great to acknowledge that despite a different end to the season.”
Club Champion – Jamie Stanton
Week in week out, you could trust Jamie Stanton to perform on the big stage. Having joined the Suns from North Melbourne as an expansion signing, Stanton was a bright light in the Sun’s engine room and willed her side into the contest on numerous occasions.
“Jamie was consistent across the whole year. She tried to lead by example. For her to be recognised by people outside our club as well in the All-Australian squad was a great reward. She also reached the 30 game milestone and is one of only a handful of players to have played 30 games so she’s had a lot of experience at this level. She also formed some great bonds with some of the younger players during the season. It’s a great reward for her as our first expansion signing. She’s been on that journey with us ever since and worked just as hard as others to get the club up and running.”
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Runner-up Club Champion– Jade Pregelj and Lauren Ahrens
The Suns boasted one of the most cohesive and well-drilled backlines in the competition this season so it was only fitting two defensive pillars shared the honour.
“It’s quite nice the two of them have tied. They’ve been rocks in the backline all season and have built a strong partnership and friendship. To see them come out and do that and become more comfortable with each game was great to see. They also come from two different backgrounds, obviously Jade having a break from footy and then coming back and Lauren growing up on the Gold Coast playing touch footy at Palm Beach Currumbin and then discovering footy down in Melbourne.”
Players’ player – Jamie Stanton
Decided by fellow teammates, the Suns’ players rated Jamie Stanton’s 2020 efforts as highly as the coaching staff.
“Jamie Stanton took out players’ player as well for her consistency across the whole season. We cut the votes a few different ways and she still ended up on top each time.”
Player of finals – Jacqui Yorston
Up against hardened bodies, Jacqui Yorston battled tirelessly all day against the Dockers to finish with 22 disposals and three tackles in a polished performance.
“That was her stand out game of the season. Each coach rates each player’s performance out of 10 after each game and Jacqui came out on top.”
Coach’s award – Hannah Dunn
Hannah Dunn has had to work harder than most to earn her chance at AFLW level. After making a last-minute debut for the Greater Western Sydney Giants as a train-on player in 2017, Dunn willed her way onto the Sun’s list and has impressed as a tough, contested midfielder.
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“Decided by David Lake, it’s the player he felt encompassed all aspects of the program, the way they’ve adjusted to AFLW, their approach to improvement and how they’ve made use of the resources available to them. Hannah is a bit older than the other players but she’s come in and grabbed her opportunity with both hands. She played all game except for one due to injury and we really missed her that game.”
Most professional – Tiarna Ernst
In the off-season, premiership-winning former Bulldog Tiarna Ernst managed a move to Queensland, a move to the midfield and a role in the leadership group all while delivering babies as a doctor in Brisbane. But the ‘Doc’ still managed to get the best out of herself each game.
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“So the men’s award is voted on just by the high-performance team but all staff voted for us. Tiarna consistently conducts herself at a high standard both on and off the field and performs at a high level on game day.”
Member’s player of the year – Kalinda Howarth
A newly anointed All-Australian, Kalinda Howarth captured the hearts and minds of members and established herself as a rising star of the competition.
“It’s been a big week for her obviously being named in the All-Australian side last year as well. She’s really excited with the opportunity she’s gotten and the way she plays attracts attention. She’s got that excitement and X-factor which members like seeing as well. It’s a great achievement for her.”
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