AS the AFL Women’s season starts to wind down, clubs are starting to award their club best and fairest awards, recognising the stars of the season.

In this new series from Rookie Me Central, we take a look at the seasons of these club champions and what led them to have such stellar seasons.  

Next up in the series, we take a look at the season of the 2024 AFL Women’s Best and Fairest Ebony Marinoff.

Marinoff added to her growing list of accolades with her second consecutive club Best and Fairest award, given after what is her most consistent season. She joins clubmate Anne Hatchard, having won the award three times each, the record at the Crows.

The co-captain won the honour ahead of her former skipper Chelsea Randall quite handsomely with 425 votes. In third place was Hatchard with 377 votes, followed by leading Crows goalkicker Caitlin Gould and defender Chelsea Biddell rounding out the top five.

Marinoff’s post-season awards sweep has been well-documented, with the 27-year-old taking out the League Best and Fairest, AFL Player’s MVP, AFL Player’s Best Captain and the AFLCA’s Champion Player of the Year.

Her story of growth and maturity has coincided with that of the competition itself. She was taken in the first draft, won the inaugural Rising Star award and has now transitioned to a leader of her club.

In 2024, Marinoff averaged 31 disposals, 16.5 contested possessions, 12.4 tackles, 6.5 clearances and 26.7 pressure acts. These statistics were career-high averages for the hard-working Crows midfielder who’s trademark has been her ability to work offensively and defensively.

She led the league in metres gained by average (459), while also contributing to Adelaide’s scoring with 4.1 score involvements, which was the fifth most in the league and second most by a Crow.

This year cements Marinoff as one of the most important players in Adelaide’s side, with her being arguably the most potent and damaging midfielder that they have.

In an ominous sign for the competition, Marinoff will continue to work on her craft over the off-season with her work ethic not letting her get carried away with the slew of attention she has garnered with her form.

A lot has been said about the Crows’ direction after crashing out of the finals race during the preliminary finals stage three years in a row, but Marinoff will be a big part of the team that looks to refresh themselves on the run.