GEELONG Falcons bottom-ager Sara Howley has added to her growing trophy cabinet by backing up her Rookie Me Central Medal with a Talent League Girls Best and Fairest award. Howley polled 21 votes to take home the award in a tightly contested count.

Sharing the lead with Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Abbey Vicino after 10 rounds with 12 votes apiece, Howley polled nine votes in her last five rounds during a stint where she won 30-plus disposals in each of the games. Vicino polled a further six votes to finish just three off Howley on 18 at the conculsion of the count.

Calder Cannons’ Jade McLay polled 14 votes in nine matches to round out the podium while Vic Country MVP Ash Centra was fourth with 11 votes. Three players shared fifth, with AFLW Academy members, GWV Rebels’ Jessica Rentsch and Eastern Ranges’ Alyssia Pisano, as well as Western Jets over-ager Kiera Leare.

Geelong Falcons skipper Chloe Adams and Tasmania Devils captain Candice Belbin also polled well, being equal first after five rounds on six votes, and then equal second following 10 rounds. GWS GIANTS’ Bridget Corcoran was the other player to feature on the leaderboard, polling back-to-back best on grounds in Rounds 2 and 3 to also boast six votes.

The Personal Growth Award went to Northern Knights’ bottom-ager Suwindi Buckley who was rewarded for her work with conservation group The Thin Green outside of football, and being a leader amongst her peers at the Knights. Other finalists were GWV Rebels’ Isabella Davies and Oakleigh Chargers’ Jorja Jackson.

The Talent League Girls Team of the Year was also announced, with the team factoring in not just Talent League performances, but AFLW Under 18 Championships and other representative matches. The full Team of the Year is below with the Top 10 Best and Fairest.

LEAGUE BEST AND FAIREST: TOP 10

#1 Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) 21 votes
#2 Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers) 18
#3 Jade McLay (Calder Cannons) 14
#4 Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) 12
eq. #5 Kiera Leare (Western Jets) 11
eq. #5 Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges) 11
eq. #5 Jess Rentsch (GWV Rebels) 11
eq. #8 Elli Symonds (Dandenong Stingrays) 10
eq. #8 Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays) 10
eq. #10 Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) 9
eq. #10 Ava Jordan (Northern Knights) 9

Personal Growth Award: Suwindi Buckley (Northern Knights)

TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR

B: Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers) – Lara Hausegger (Oakleigh Chargers)
HB: Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils) – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) – Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
C: Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons) – Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays) – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
HF: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) – Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils) – Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)
F: Sophie Butterworth (Dandenong Stingrays) – Chantal Mason (Geelong Falcons) – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
R: Jess Vukic (Eastern Ranges) – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons) – Kiera Whiley (Western Jets)
INT: Sierra Grieves (Western Jets) – Ava Jordan (Northern Knights) – Kaylea Kobzan (Murray Bushrangers) – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons) – Bryde O’Rourke (Bendigo Pioneers) – Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers)