Ash Riddell was crowned AFLW’s best and fairest. But this moment had the audience gasping

After years of being overlooked for the league’s highest accolade, Ash Riddell has finally won the AFLW’s best and fairest award, narrowly beating Geelong’s Georgie Prespakis, Melbourne’s Tyler Hanks and West Coast’s Ella Roberts in a thrilling count in Melbourne on Monday evening.

The North Melbourne premiership player broke her own AFLW disposal record three times this season, giving her three of the top five all-time individual disposal tallies.

However, there was an audible gasp and looks of confusion when Riddell – who notched a record 45 disposals in round eight – did not receive any votes for that performance.

Luckily, the 29-year-old regained the lead and won with 23 votes, her final round haul separating her from Prespakis.

Riddell, who played school football with Marcus Bontempelli, said she was humbled to accept the prestigious gong and joked she was anxious speaking in front of so many people on stage. Overlooked in the first two AFLW drafts, Riddell played junior footy and basketball and debuted for the Roos in 2019.

“I love North Melbourne, I love the people,” said Riddell, who finished second behind Ebony Marinoff last year. “I’m so blessed that you guys are my second family.”

The vice captain thanked her family and her husband Vincent Atkinson, gently roasting him about his attempts to provide football tips.

“Gosh, you annoy me whenever you try and give me tips on how to play the game when all you ever played was rugby,” she laughed. “You’re the worst footballer.”

Atkinson shed tears as Riddell thanked him for his support.

Riddell also highlighted her connection with captain Jasmine Garner, who was part of her bridal party.

“We just make each other better, we’re by-products of each other on the field and we have some really good times off the field as well,” she said.

Garner, although universally regarded as one of the dominant players in the competition over many seasons, has traditionally been overlooked by the umpires, but the North captain finished equal fifth on Monday night.

“She should be up here,” Riddell said of Garner. “She’s an amazing player.”

The pair will spearhead North’s quest for back-to-back premierships in Saturday night’s AFLW grand final against Brisbane at Ikon Park.

Garner earns eighth All-Australian blazer, Zippy Fish is rising star

Garner enhanced her reputation as a giant of the AFLW, earning the captaincy of the All-Australian team for the third time and a record-equalling eighth selection in the team of the year, while Sydney livewire Zippy Fish won the league’s Rising Star award.

The honour illustrates the remarkable impact Garner has had on the AFLW, which will conclude its 10th season with the grand final on Saturday. Teammate Emma Kearney – the league’s other eight-time All-Australian – will be gunning for her third flag, while Libby Birch will be attempting to win her fourth.

Three other Kangaroos joined Garner (ruck-rover) in the line-up – rover Ash Riddell, centre-half forward Tahlia Randall and Blaithin Bogue (interchange).

“I’m feeling a little bit old,” Garner laughed when asked about her eighth All-Australian team selection.

“I love what I do and I’m so lucky and I just try to enjoy the ride.”

Fish capped her rookie season by edging out Carlton’s Poppy Scholtz, while Indy Tahau won the award as the league’s leading goal-kicker.

Speaking on stage after her Rising Star win, Fish thanked her parents for helping her achieve her AFLW dream.

“I think I’ve turned out to be a really good person as well, so thank you to them,” she said.

Fish – a Larrakia, Wongi, Noongar and Nunga woman – is known for her aerial ability, athleticism and explosive pace, which is fitting given her speedy nickname.

The explosive midfielder made her debut in round one against Richmond and featured in all 12 matches for the Swans this season, averaging 21 disposals per game.

North enter the grand final against the Brisbane Lions as raging favourites, undefeated this season and chasing their 27th straight win.

The stretch includes last year’s grand final win over the Lions – when Garner was adjudged best on ground. In fact, North’s most recent loss was in the 2023 grand final, also against Brisbane.

The Lions had defender Jennifer Dunne selected in the last line of defence of the All-Australian team and Courtney Hodder at the other end of the field, while beaten preliminary finalists Melbourne (Maeve Chaplin, Tyla Hanks and Kate Hore) and Carlton (Harriet Cordner and Dayna Finn) were also well represented as 12 of the 18 clubs had at least one player on the team.

The inclusion of imports Dunne, Bogue, along with their Irish compatriots Niamh McLaughlin (Gold Coast) and Aine McDonagh (Hawthorn) showed the stunning impact the Emerald Isle continues to have on the women’s game.

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