CLAREMONT midfielder Jayme Harken is the latest Dhara Kerr Medallist, taking out the WAFL Women’s Best and Fairest award last night. The former Subiaco star who crossed to the Tigers over the off-season, polled 24 votes to become a runaway winner in the 2023 award.
Harken polled five more than Swan Districts midfielder Ruby Mahony who lead the count after 12 rounds. Trailing by a vote heading into the final three games, Harken polled three consecutive best on grounds to storm to victory, while Mahony added three more votes to finish on 19 for the season.
In season 2023 averaged more than 21 disposals per game, as well as more than three marks and four tackles. The 27-year-old was not the only Tiger to scoop up an award on the night, with Adele Arnup booting 26 goals to collecting the leading goalkicker award.
East Fremantle skipper Ashleigh Gomes was one behind, with Subiaco skipper Tarnica Golisano polling 17 votes to be the other within reach in the top group. After the top four, three players tied on 12 votes, with Port Adelaide recruit Jasmin Stewart finishing equal fifth despite only playing half a dozen games.
Reigning Dhara Kerr Medallist Sharon Wong and double bottom-ager Evie Cowcher also polled the 12 votes. South Fremantle ruck Ariana Hetherington, East Fremantle speedster Zippy Fish and West Perth midfielder Emily Bennett rounded out the Top 10 of the count.
Though Cowcher polled well in the best and fairest, it was South Fremantle young gun Renee Morgan who took out the Cath Boyce Rising Star in her debut season, averaging 18.8 disposals, 3.5 marks and 6.5 tackles. Incredibly, the 16-year-old played just the six matches at League level – only four in the regular season – after starting the season in the Rogers Cup and notching up seven games.
Morgan’s coach Craig McNaughton won the 2023 WAFLW Coach of the Year as voted by his peers, taking the Bulldogs into their first finals series this season. Sticking with South Fremantle, Nicole Taylor-Thorpe took out the Rogers Cup leading goalkicker award with 19 majors in the season.
The Rogers Cup League Best and Fairest went to West Perth onballer Mia Russo going back-to-back after a sensational season for the Falcons. The best and fairest adds to her West Australian MVP and All-Australian honour at the Under 16 Championships.
2023 WAFLW DHARA KERR MEDAL – TOP 10:
Jayme Harken (Claremont) 24 votes
Ruby Mahony (Swan Districts) 19 votes
Ashleigh Gomes (East Fremantle) 18 votes
Tarnica Golisano (Subiaco) 17 votes
Jasmine Steward (Claremont)12 votes
Sharon Wong (East Fremantle) 12 votes
Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder) 12 votes
Ariana Hetherington (South Fremantle) 11 votes
Zippy Fish (East Fremantle) 10 votes
Emily Bennett (West Perth) 9 votes
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