A SURPRISED Nikki Nield was crowned the SANFL Women’s League Best and Fairest tonight, reigning supreme after polling a record 27 votes to pip Jess Bates in the last two rounds as the star midfielders dominated the count.

Upon being awarded the medal, Nield apologised for not preparing a speech as she had expected Bates to win, but thanked her partner, family and teammates for supporting her not just this season but over the journey. The two-time South Adelaide premiership player made a return to Noarlunga this season after an AFLW career with Adelaide and Fremantle, and played all 14 games.

A deserving winner, Nield was six votes behind Bates after eight rounds, but polled 10 of a possible 12 votes between Rounds 9 to 12 which ultimately was the difference. In that time, Bates polled six votes, giving the Glenelg onballer a narrow two-vote lead, and at that stage, the crowd realised what was about to happen.

Nield polled a further five votes in the final two rounds – including a best on ground performance in South’s Round 13 match over Glenelg – to finish on 27 for the year, three clear of Bates who had a strong 24 from the 12 games. Sturt young gun India Rasheed also polled incredibly well, keeping with the pair at the midway point of the season, and finishing on 19 votes.

Central District skipper Shelby Smith polled 17 to finish fourth after back-to-back years of runner-up efforts, while West Adelaide’s Zoe Venning rounded out the top five with 14 votes. Nield’s South Adelaide teammate Jordann Hickey, Bates’ Glenelg teammate Jo Miller and Eagles onballer Poppy Waterford were next best with 12 votes.

Smith was also named captain of the SANFL Women’s Team of the Year, with all of the above players featuring in the 21-player squad. South Adelaide coach Rick Watts was named as coach.

In other awards, Bates on the Coaches Award as Rasheed took out the Breakthrough Player of the Year Award, recognising her sensational top-age season, while sharpshooters Katelyn Rosenzweig and Emily Brockhurst shared the Leading Goalkicker, the third time the former has taken out the medal. The 2024 Leadership Award went to Woodville-West Torrens skipper Annie Falkenberg, for her work not just on-field, but also off the field in corrections.

2024 SANFL Women’s League Best and Fairest Leaderboard:

1st. Nikki Nield (South Adelaide) – 27 votes
2nd. Jess Bates (Glenelg) – 24 votes
3rd. India Rasheed (Sturt) – 19 votes
4th. Shelby Smith (Central District) – 17 votes
5th. Zoe Venning (West Adelaide) – 14 votes

2024 SANFLW Awards:

Breakthrough Player of the Year: India Rasheed (Sturt)
Leading Goalkickers: Katelyn Rosenzweig (Central District) & Emily Brockhurst (South Adelaide)
Leadership Award: Annie Falkenberg (WWT Eagles)
Coaches Award: Jess Bates (Glenelg)

SANFLW Team of the Year:

B: Annie Falkenberg (WWT Eagles) (vc) – Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide)
HB: Tahlita Buethke (Norwood) – Charlotte Riggs (Central District) – Laela Ebert (North Adelaide)
C: Poppy Waterford (WWT Eagles) – Jess Bates (Glenelg) – Monique Bessen (Sturt)
HF: India Rasheed (Sturt) – Jade Halfpenny (Norwood) – Zoe Venning (West Adelaide)
F: Emily Brockhurst (South Adelaide) – Katelyn Rosenzweig (Central District)
R: Soriah Moon (South Adelaide) – Nikki Nield (South Adelaide) – Shelby Smith (Central District) (c)
INT: Jasmine Evans (Central District) – Jordann Hickey (South Adelaide) – Grace Martin (WWT Eagles) – Jo Miller (Glenelg) – Violet Patterson (Glenelg)

Coach: Rick Watts (South Adelaide)