After an outstanding season, emerging West Coast Eagles defender Charlie Thomas has been crowned the 2023 AFLW Club Champion.

Thomas polled 52 votes to finish ahead of teenage sensation Ella Roberts (49), with experienced Eagle Belinda Smith (48) rounding out the top three.

In a season where the leaders led by example, skipper Emma Swanson (44) and key defender Sophie McDonald (43) finished in the top-five, while leading goal-kicker Kellie Gibson (31), veteran midfielder Dana Hooker (30) and vice-captain Bella Lewis (28) followed closely behind.

The top 10 was completed with Irish star Aisling McCarthy (27) and speedy midfielder Shanae Davison (23).

In her third season, Thomas enjoyed a break-out campaign, with the exciting young defender solidifying herself as a stable and reliable pillar in the Eagles backline.

Thomas finished in the top five in the League for rebound 50s this season, with her pace and determination in the back half leading to multiple game-changing moments.

Thomas displayed her versatility in round nine, when she was moved forward and had an immediate impact, kicking the first goal of her AFLW career.

This season highlighted the talented youth of a developing and growing Eagles side, and 20-year-old Thomas showed skill, maturity and footy smarts well beyond her years, making a name for herself as one of the best up-and-coming defenders in the competition. 

After an incredibly consistent season, demonstrating excellent leadership on-field and inspiring her teammates in defence, Belinda Smith was presented with the Trademark Player award, as voted by the playing group.

Krstel Petrevski was named the Best Club Person, her exceptional attitude and positive mindset lifting the team’s spirits on a day-to-day basis, despite not taking the field herself due to an ankle injury sustained ahead of round one.

Petrevski’s club mates, in the AFLW and AFL, proudly wore her artwork for this year’s Indigenous Round, her contribution to the club going well beyond her work on the track.

Two retiring Eagles were celebrated on the night after Jess Sedunary and Isabella Simmons both called time on their AFLW careers.

Sedunary joined West Coast in 2022 and was elevated to the leadership group ahead of the 2023 season, a testament to her character, passion and professionalism, and she played an important role for her young teammates.

Simmons made her Eagles debut in the opening round of season seven and played seven games in the blue and gold.

AFLW Club Champion Top 10:

Club Champion: Charlie Thomas

Trademark Player: Belinda Smith

Best Club Person: Krstel Petrevski