Midfielder Amy McDonald has been recognised for her stellar 2022 AFL Women’s season with her second Geelong best and fairest on Saturday night.
McDonald took out the award at GMHBA Stadium with 116 votes, ahead of Becky Webster on 103 votes and defender Maddy McMahon on 102.
Nina Morrison (56 votes), Chloe Scheer (40), Georgie Prespakis (37), Chantel Emonson (23), Meg McDonald (22), Kate Darby (17) and Darcy Moloney (14) rounded out the top 10.
The award capped off a successful third season in the hoops for the 24-year-old, after she was named in the AFL’s extended All-Australian squad, alongside McMahon.
From Ballarat, McDonald was taken with the 80th pick of the 2019 AFLW draft after a standout season with Geelong’s VFLW team, and again elevated her game in 2022.
She led the team in disposals, tackles, clearances and contested possessions.
Geelong AFLW senior coach Dan Lowther said the sky was the limit for the young midfielder.
“Amy’s rapidly become one of the premier midfielders in the AFLW competition, and that’s a tribute to her work ethic and her dedication and commitment to her craft,” Lowther said.
“In my time at the Cats, I’ve seen her work hard to continuously build her fitness base, both at the club and in her own time, and with that, I’ve seen her confidence grow alongside the ability to impact games.
“I couldn’t be more proud of her as a footballer and as a person for what she’s achieved.
“If she keeps working on her game, as I’m sure she will, there’s no ceiling on what she can achieve.”
McDonald also won the AFLW Fan MVP Award as voted on by Cats members at the end of the season.
Other award winners on the night were Darby and Georgie Rankin, winners of the Hoops Award and Carter Family Community Champion Award respectively.
The Hoops Award is awarded to the player making the best values based contribution to the club, and is voted on by players, AFLW staff and coaches.
Darby returned to the group in 2022 as a train-on partner, making the most of her opportunity as a replacement player for Renee Garing.
The Carter Family Community Champion Award is presented to the players that have provided outstanding commitment to community, both for the Geelong Cats and via her relationships and engagement with community-based organisations, programs, campaigns and initiatives.
Rankin was hailed for setting an outstanding example for the club with her commitment to the Cats Community programs, particularly in the inclusion and accessibility space.
