West Coast captain Emma Swanson owns the unique honour as the only Eagle in history to claim two Club Champion awards in one year after being crowned the AFLW best and fairest for season seven.

The skipper won her first best and fairest award after the AFLW’s sixth season earlier this year and arguably took her game to another level again to go back-to-back.

Swanson polled 43 votes to finish ahead of Irish star Aisling McCarthy (34), with 2021 winner and emerging leader Bella Lewis rounding out the podium places one vote further back.

In a promising sign for the future, three emerging stars were only just behind, with defender Charlie Thomas (32), first-year forward Ella Roberts (31) and key back Sophie McDonald (30) recognised for their superb seasons.

Second-year duo Courtney Rowley and Sarah Lakay also finished top-10 for the first time during the count at Crown on Wednesday night.

Swanson was the most consistent player for her side this season, leading an exciting young list with distinction and setting a high standard for teammates to follow.

The aggressive midfielder averaged 21.5 disposals, 5.5 clearances and 5.3 tackles, after tallying 22.2 disposals, 5.1 clearances and 4.7 tackles in season six.

After breaking through as one of the team's top emerging leaders, 2021 Club Champion Bella Lewis has won the Trademark Player award as voted by the playing group.

Teenage sensation Roberts was rewarded for a stunning debut season with the Eagles’ Best First Year Player award.

The Peel Thunder product made AFLW history by taking the most marks of any first-year player with 35 grabs in total – including a Mark of the Year nomination in round nine.

The 17-year-old is also a leading contender to claim the league’s Rising Star award after she was nominated in round six.

Despite not playing a game during this season, Evie Gooch was named Best Club Person for her work on the team’s coaching panel.   

Gooch was sidelined at the conclusion of last season due to a long-term wrist injury and subsequently joined the Eagles’ coaching staff as a development backs coach.

 

AFLW Club Champion Top 10:

Player

Points

Emma Swanson

43

Aisling McCarthy

34

Isabella Lewis

33

Charlie Thomas

32

Ella Roberts

31

Sophie McDonald

30

Dana Hooker

23

Courtney Rowley

19

Belinda Smith

17

Sarah Lakay

15

 

Club Champion: Emma Swanson

Player Trademark Award: Isabella Lewis

Best First Year Player: Ella Roberts

Best Club Person: Evie Gooch