EMILY Bates is the toast of the AFLW, after being crowned the League Best and Fairest at Tuesday night’s W Awards ceremony in Melbourne.

She won the award ahead of Anne Hatchard by one vote.

Bates is the first Lion to win the coveted medal, and consistently polled throughout the 2022 season.

She typically flies under the radar in Brisbane’s midfield, but is one of the most consistent players in the league.

Bates had an eventful season, with illness, her house being flooded, and the end to Brisbane’s premiership defence all mere challenges along the way for the inaugural Lion.

The night culminated in a moment for the highlight real, with Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich doing a shoey in honour of the win.

Leading the count at the halfway mark was Dockers skipper Hayley Miller, but by the time there was one round left, it was a tie between Bates and Hatchard to set up a grandstand finish to the event.

There were also a number of other awards handed out, starting with the announcement of the All Australian team. Among the notable inclusions were:

• Emma Kearney as a defender, whose run of consecutive All Australians continues.
• Orla O’Dwyer, who is officially the first Irish player to make the All Australian team
• Kirsty Lamb, who made the team for the first time

Some of the notable omissions included Breann Moody and Cora Staunton.

Next up was the Rising Star, earned by Carlton’s Mimi Hill to complete a remarkable turnaround from her long-term knee injury.

The Mark of the Year went to Tahlia Randall, while Ebony Antonio’s snap from Round 1 won her the Goal of the Year Award.

There were a few awards given out tonight that were already pre-determined, including the leading goalkicker, which went to Crow Ashleigh Woodland, and the Community Coach of the Year Award from last year.