Brisbane Lions largely snubbed at AFLW’s awards night

It was a night of celebration coupled with disappointment after just one member of the champion Brisbane Lions AFLW side was named in the All-Australian squad during last night’s W Awards.

It was a night of celebration coupled with disappointment after just one member of the champion Brisbane Lions AFLW side was named in the All-Australian squad during last night’s W Awards.

The league’s stars swapped guernseys for evening wear to celebrate the 2021 AFLW season, with players from both the Lions and the Suns gathering at The Gabba. The event was broadcast live across the country, joining players in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Kate Lutkins was the only member of the Brisbane Lions named in the All-Australian squad. (Photos by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

But despite being the toast of the nation for their incredible Grand Final win over the Crows at the Adelaide Oval, the Lions were snubbed in the prestigious All-Australian selection.

Brisbane’s key defender Kate Lutkins was the only member of the champion Lions named in the side after another outstanding season – capped off with the best on ground medal during the AFLW Grand Final.

Suns players Alison Drennan and Hannah Dunn at the W Awards.

Three other Lions – Dakota Davidson, Catherine Svarc and Sophie Conway – were named in the top 40 squad but missed the cut for the best 21 players in the competition. This was even after the club finishing second on the premiership ladder and being crowned the 2021 champions.

Lions players Ally Anderson, Emily Bates and Natalie Grider at the W Awards.

Freemantle’s Kiara Bowers and Collingwood’s Brianna Davey were named the joint Best and Fairest.

Brisbane finally had something to cheer about when exciting small forward Courtney Hodder claimed the 2021 Goal of the Year.

Lions captain Emma Zielke said the impact of the Grand Final win hadn’t sunk in yet but she was looking forward to the coming days.

Lions players Tahlia Hickie and Belle Dawes at the W Awards.

“You’ve got to get back to reality at some point, but at the moment we’re all on cloud nine,” she said.

“Everything’s been special the last three days but it was really great to come home with the cup in our hands.”

Lions players Catherine Svarc and Sophie Conway.

Lions players Shannon Campbell and Gabby Collingwood.

Although the Suns weren’t in the same high spirits after coming home with the wooden spoon, Alison Drennan said the players
were just keen to get back out on
the field again.

“It’s good to celebrate the individual performance and how people have improved but we’re just so keen to get out there again next year and do so much better,” she said.