Kiara Bowers’ fourth time giving a speech at the Club’s AFLW Fairest and Best was one like no other as she gave a tearful tribute to her retiring teammate and good friend Kara Antonio.
 
Bowers win at the award was in part due to her record-breaking 34 disposals and 22 tackles in round 10 against Hawthorn, in what was Kara Antonio’s farewell game.
 
The gun midfielder said on stage that it was Antonio who inspired her to new heights, with Bowers breaking the AFLW tackle and AFLW fantasy points record in the clash.
 
“I would go out in a body bag than lose for ‘Juddy’, that’s how much I love her,” Bowers said about her performance that day.
 
“My last game was just for ‘Juddy’, I’d do anything for that girl. Maybe she could keep playing and just say each game is her last!”
 
Bowers said the highlight of her career was to be selected as a marquee player at Fremantle with Antonio.
 
“I became marquee with you and it was the biggest honour,” Bowers said.
 
“I rate you as high as I could rate anyone and I’ve learnt a lot of my craft from you.
 
“If people call me a good player I credit that on you, from training with you and how hard we go up against each other.”

Bowers also highlighted Antonio’s selfless dedication to improve the women’s game standing within the AFL landscape.
 
“We were both in the Players Association and I did absolutely nothing compared to Juddy,” Bowers said. 
 
“She fought for every single one of the players, both past and present, not because she knew she would be playing for longer, but she knew she could make an impact. 
 
“I thank you for that, for what you did in your time to make this a better competition, for what you’ve done for me, and for being a really good mate.”
 
After doing so much for the Fremantle cause in 2022, the off-season for Bowers will see her spend as much time as she can with her wife Adele and son Nate.
 
“Lots of family time. I haven’t seen much of Adele in the whole season, I think I’ve seen her two nights a weeks and maybe a bit on as Saturday,” Bowers said.
 
“I’ll spending as much time as I can with Nate and letting him know he has two mums instead of one!”