Six West Coast Eagles players have been nominated for awards by the AFL Players Association for their impressive 2023 season.
Eagles Club Champion Charlie Thomas, exciting youngster Ella Roberts and experienced defender Belinda Smith have all been nominated for the AFL Players’ Most Valuable Player Award.
Thomas had an incredible season, making a name for herself as one of the most exciting young defenders in the competition, further recognised with All-Australian squad honours for the first time in her career.
Round one Rising Star nominee Ella Roberts was outstanding, the 18-year-old an absolute pleasure to watch with her reliable high-flying marks and thumping kick, and was named in the final 22Under22 team.
Current Eagles’ AFLW games record-holder Belinda Smith had a career-best season in the blue and gold, playing her role to perfection and demonstrating excellent on-field skill and leadership.
Emerging young ruck Lauren Wakfer has been nominated for the Best First Year Player Award, making her debut in round one and eagerly contributing in all 10 games for the season.
Wakfer was also named the round five Rising Star nominee for her impressive performance against Port Adelaide, finishing with 14 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances and 14 hitouts.
In her comeback season, returning from an ACL injury that saw her sidelined for the entirety of season seven, Shanae Davison has been nominated for the Most Courageous Player Award.
Davison’s strength, speed and endurance continue to shine and grow, managing an impressive 16 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and a goal in round 10 against Adelaide.
Inaugural Eagles captain Emma Swanson has once again been nominated for the Best Captain Award, navigating her team through a challenging season of ups and downs.
2023 was Swanson’s fifth season leading the squad, the stalwart of the club producing another inspiring term, further setting herself as an influential role model both on and off the field.
Voting for the AFLW MVP, Most Courageous, Best First-Year Player and Best Captain awards is a two-stage process, with players nominating their teammates in stage one, before selecting from a competition-wide field in stage two.
Players cannot vote for a player from their own club during stage two of the voting process.
The AFL Players’ Association will announce the award winners at an event on Tuesday, November 28, with the results published across the AFLPA’s social media channels.
AFLW MVP Awards Nominees
MVP: Charlie Thomas, Ella Roberts, Belinda Smith
Best First-Year Player: Lauren Wakfer
Most Courageous: Shanae Davison
Best Captain: Emma Swanson
