WITH the AFL Women’s season coming to a close, clubs are starting to award their club champions, recognising the stars of the season.

In this new series from Rookie Me Central, we take a look at the seasons of each best and fairest winner and what led them to have such stellar seasons. 

In the next edition of our series, we look at a Lions stalwart Ally Anderson, who took home her second consecutive Brisbane Best and Fairest award.

Anderson continues to go from strength-to-strength at Brisbane, winning her fourth Best and Fairest award to go with her All-Australian honours from a few weeks back. She is a key contributor to the club’s success, a team that just featured in their third straight grand final.

She polled 208 votes, finishing ahead of young midfielder Belle Dawes and winger Sophie Conway. Leaders Natalie Grider and Breanna Koenen rounded out the top five after both continuing to star in the Lions’ defence.

Anderson always plays a big role in the Lions’ engine room, in 2024 she averaged 26.1 disposals as well as 6.6 tackles and 5.3 clearances. Her impact in the finals was exceptional, she laid 9.3 tackles a game throughout the three finals which included 14 in the decider.

One of her most eye-catching performances was her record-breaking 43 disposal game against Melbourne, after that game Anderson credited her increased fitness for the feat.

Her strength, toughness and fitness is one of Anderson’s trademarks and one of the reasons that she continues to lead the way, not only at the Lions but in the AFLW.

After another AFLW Grand Final defeat, there is no doubt that Anderson and her side will use the heartbreak as fuel in order to strive for their third premiership.