She might have endured the most trying season of her career to date, but Dana Hooker still managed to feature prominently in this year’s AFLW Best and Fairest count.

The dynamic midfielder, who battled several injuries and bouts of illness throughout season 2020, accumulated six votes across her six appearances this year to finish in a tie for eleventh place alongside Western Bulldogs onballer Ellie Blackburn and Greater Western Sydney duo Alyce Parker and Cora Staunton.

Carlton young gun Maddy Prespakis polled 15 votes to take out the AFLW’s highest individual honour after claiming the league’s NAB Rising Star Award in 2019.

Hooker proved why she is regarded among the league’s most consistent players by collecting a trio of two-vote hauls.

She registered her first collect following an impressive 18-disposal, one-goal performance against Collingwood in round one and got in the votes again with a 19-disposal, nine-tackle effort that helped West Coast record a breakthrough AFLW victory over the Western Bulldogs in round four.

Hooker registered her final two votes in round six after churning out 31 disposals, six marks and six tackles against Gold Coast at Mineral Resources Park.

The only other Eagle to feature in the AFLW Best and Fairest leaderboard was captain Emma Swanson, who pocketed three votes for her inspiring performance against the Bulldogs in round four.

Swanson was recognised as the best player afield that day after amassing 22 disposals, eight tackles, two marks and a goal.

AFLW BEST AND FAIREST LEADERBOARD

1. Madison Prespakis (Carlton) 15
2. Kiara Bowers (Fremantle) 12
3. Emma Kearney (North Melbourne) 11
=4. Anne Hatchard (Adelaide) 10
=4. Jenna Bruton (North Melbourne) 10
6. Karen Paxman (Melbourne) 9
=7. Brittany Bonnici (Collingwood) 7
=7. Georgia Patrikios (St Kilda) 7
=7. Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood) 7
=7. Monique Conti (Richmond) 7
=11. Dana Hooker (West Coast) 6
=11. Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs) 6
=11. Alyce Parker (GWS)
=11. Cora Staunton (GWS)