AFLW awards: Erin Phillips named MVP, Carlton’s Madison Prespakis best first-year player

Carlton captain Brianna Davey has called for the AFL to lengthen the AFLW season in 2020 as four new teams prepare to enter the competition, meanwhile Adelaide star Erin Phillips has scooped another award after a stellar season.

Erin Phillips added to her grand final awards when she was crowned AFLW MVP. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos.

Carlton skipper Brianna Davey has called for a longer AFLW season next year on the back of Sunday’s bumper Grand Final crowd.

The season has concluded after eight weeks, which many believe was too short as the code looks to widen its appeal acrossthe country.

Speaking at the AFLW Players’ MVP award, where Adelaide star Erin Phillips capped another stellar season with the top gong, Davey said a longer season would be backed by most players as the competition expands from 10 clubs to 14.

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“Ideally we’d like to have a bit of a longer season,” she said.

“Obviously with the expansion teams coming in the AFL will have to re-look at that and how the teams will structure up.

“But I think we just love footy and we’d like to be playing as much as we can, so if it can expand a little bit that would be great.

“At the same time we put our trust in the AFL to make those decisions and as players we roll with it.”

Carlton’s Brianna Davey and Madison Prespakis of the Blues with their awards. Picture: Getty

Fellow Blue Madison Prespakis, who on Monday won the AFLW Players’ best first-year player award, said it was too early in the year to be putting the feet up.

“Obviously I’d like to play more games,” she said.

“We’ve worked so hard over the pre-season and to pay off that for only seven games is probably not enough.

“It’s probably a little bit too short right now.

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“We’re finished now and we have to wait until next year so a few more games would be ideal and hopefully the expansion clubscan help that.”

Phillips, who suffered a serious knee injury in her side’s grand final win over Carlton, polled 143 votes to claim the AFLW Players’ MVP ahead of Fremantle’s Kiara Bowers (107 votes) and Collingwood’s Ashleigh Brazill (85 votes).

Phillips was not in the room in Melbourne to accept her award following her shattering ACL injury.

Erin Phillips added to her grand final awards when she was crowned AFLW MVP. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos.

“It’s a truly humbling experience to be voted by your peers as the most valuable player in the league,” Phillips said.

“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.

“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.”

Fellow Crow Chelsea Randall took home the most courageous player award, beating out Fremantle’s Kiara Bowers and Davey.

But Davey did not go home empty-handed, winning the best captain award by one vote with Phillips the runner up.