2018 AFL Women's Rising Star
National Australia Bank continued its sponsorship of the award in 2018, offering $20,000 in prize money. The winner was announced at the AFLW's awards ceremony on 27 March, held at Peninsula, an event space in Docklands, Melbourne, and live-streamed on AFL.com.au. The ten members of the voting panel were Australian Football League (AFL) officials Nicole Livingstone, who served as the chair, Steve Hocking, Josh Vanderloo and Grant Williams; AFL Victoria's Darren Flanigan; Tim Harrington of the AFL Players Association (AFLPA); St Kilda's Peta Searle; and media commentators Sharelle McMahon, Kelli Underwood and Shelley Ware.
The winner was Chloe Molloy, a defender playing for Collingwood, who was the first recipient to poll the maximum 50 votes. Molloy also won the AFLPA's inaugural award for the AFLW's best first-year player, as voted by her peers; was named Collingwood's best and fairest overall and best first-year player; finished equal-second in the AFLW best and fairest behind Emma Kearney; and was named in the back pocket of the All-Australian team. The Western Bulldogs accrued the most nominations during the season, with five players (Libby Birch, Monique Conti, Naomi Ferres, Bonnie Toogood and Aisling Utri) selected.
Nominations
Number | Club | Player | Nom. |
---|---|---|---|
5 | Western Bulldogs | Libby Birch | 2 |
Bonnie Toogood | 2 | ||
Monique Conti | 4 | ||
Aisling Utri | 4 | ||
Naomi Ferres | 7 | ||
3 | Adelaide | Eloise Jones | 5 |
Sarah Allan | 6 | ||
Anne Hatchard | 7 | ||
2 | Brisbane | Sophie Conway | 3 |
Tahlia Randall | 6 | ||
1 | Carlton | Breann Moody | 5 |
Collingwood | Chloe Molloy | 1 | |
Fremantle | Emily McGuire | 3 | |
Greater Western Sydney | Rebecca Beeson | 1 |
Final voting
Placing | Player | Club | Nom. | Votes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chloe Molloy | Collingwood | 1 | 50 |
2 | Monique Conti | Western Bulldogs | 4 | 39 |
3 | Sarah Allan | Adelaide | 6 | 15 |
4 | Bonnie Toogood | Western Bulldogs | 2 | 12 |
5 | Breann Moody | Carlton | 5 | 10 |
6 | Tahlia Randall | Brisbane | 6 | 8 |
7 | Aisling Utri | Western Bulldogs | 4 | 6 |
8 | Libby Birch | Western Bulldogs | 2 | 3 |
Eloise Jones | Adelaide | 5 | 3 | |
10 | Rebecca Beeson | Greater Western Sydney | 1 | 2 |
Sophie Conway | Brisbane | 3 | 2 |