The AFLW playing community has officially recognised the superstar talent of West Coast Eagles forward Ella Roberts, voting her into the elite top three at the prestigious AFL Players' Association MVP Awards.
Peer Recognition for Rising Star
In a powerful endorsement from her rivals, Ella Roberts secured third place in the voting for the league's most valuable player. This honour comes just one day after the young gun finished fourth in the league's official best-and-fairest count, confirming her status as one of the competition's most formidable players.
Roberts was pipped for the top MVP spot by North Melbourne maestro Jasmine Garner, with Garner's own teammate, Ash Riddell, taking second place. Garner's victory marks a historic third AFLPA MVP win, breaking the record she previously held with Adelaide's Erin Phillips for the most awards in the league's history.
Garner's Historic Third MVP Win
Expressing her pride, Garner acknowledged the significance of being honoured by her peers. "It is a huge honour to receive the MVP. It's a really special award," Garner said. "This feels as special as the previous years, and I'm really proud to be recognised by the people I play against and with each week as their Most Valuable Player."
Her MVP triumph was a form of redemption after she surprisingly finished equal-fifth in the best-and-fairest award on Monday, ending up eight votes shy of winner Ash Riddell.
Western Australian Contingent Shines
The awards night was a strong showing for West Australian talent. Fremantle Dockers' veteran Kiara Bowers added another accolade to her illustrious career, being voted the AFLW's Most Courageous Player. This is the second time Bowers has received this peer-voted award, having first won it in 2020. West Coast's Jess Rentsch also featured in the voting, finishing third in the courage category.
In further cause for celebration for WA football fans, former local product Zippy Fish was crowned the Best First-Year Player. This capped off a phenomenal debut campaign for the Sydney Swans rookie, who had also been awarded the Rising Star trophy just the day before.
The collective success of Roberts, Bowers, and Fish underscores the depth of talent emerging from Western Australia and its significant impact on the national AFLW stage.
