Northern Territory product Ashanti Bush boots AFLW Goal of the Year

A Territorian has collected her first major gong in the AFLW collecting the Goal of the Year in a thrilling display for the Gold Coast Suns. Find out who.

Gold Coast Suns Territory product Ashanti Bush has grabbed her first major accolade as an AFLW player following a spectacular goal in the final match of the season.

The former Darwin Buffaloes star saved her best performance for the end of the season, kicking her first two top-flight goals in the opening half of the Suns’ Round 10 match against GWS Giants.

The first was a snap from 35m out but it was her second that caught the eye of spectators.

Bush retrieved the ball with a ground ball gather near the boundary, and then burned her opposition with her natural speed before she put boot to ball to score.

The goal itself showed all the attributes footy fans in the Territory, particularly Arnhem Crows and Darwin Buffaloes supporters, have enjoyed for so long.

Ashanti Bush kicked the Goal of the Year for the Gold Coast Suns against GWS Giants. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Her second goal of the match, also her second in her young AFLW career, beat out fellow Territorian Adelaide’s Danielle Ponter and Hawthorn’s Akec Makur Chuot.

It is the first time a Gold Coast player, male or female, has won Goal of the Year.

Head coach Cameron Joyce called the goal an incredible moment and a showcase of the young player’s talent.

“We all know the talent that Ashanti possesses – she’s hard to stop in full flight and it was incredible moment of individual brilliance,” Joyce said.

“To be the first SUNS player – male or female – to win Goal of the Year is something Ashanti should be extremely proud of and hopefully we see her kicking many more goals in seasons to come.”

Bush has played seven AFLW matches for the SUNS since being taken with Pick 8 in the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft.