Fremantle ruck and All Australian Mim Strom was awarded Fremantle’s AFLW Fairest and Best for the 2024 season on Thursday night at Crown Ballroom, with 256 votes across 13 games inclusive of finals.

Strom was also recognised by her teammates as she took home her first Players’ Award, which recognises a player who lives and breathes the Club’s trademark and values set out by the playing group at the start of the season.

19 votes separated first and second with Irish star Aisling McCarthy finishing runner-up, polling 237 votes and Gabby Newton placing third on 228 votes.

Newton also received the Player of the Finals award, which highlighted her reliable and consistent performances across Fremantle’s two finals appearances, including her 20-tackle effort against Essendon in the Elimination Final.

Two-time All Australian Emma O’Driscoll (222 votes) and inaugural Freo Docker Gabby O’Sullivan (183 votes) rounded out the top five.

Players are allocated zero-to-five votes based on their performances from five of Fremantle’s coaches, meaning a player can earn a maximum of 25 votes in one game for a dominant performance.

Captain Ange Stannett received the Best Clubwoman Award for the fifth time in a row, as the skipper worked through an ACL injury while captaining and taking on a game-day coaching role for the season.

The Best First Year Player was awarded to forward Tunisha Kikoak, who had an impressive break-out season, debuting in week 1 and kicking six goals for the season after she signed on as a replacement player for Kiara Bowers.

Senior Coach Lisa Webb praised Strom on an incredible 2024 season, and credited her as an athlete that isn’t shy to put in the work.

“Mim deserves all the credit – she puts in the hard work, and she’s really well supported with her family as well and she compliments our midfield group terrifically,” Webb said.

“Every pre-season, she turns up in fantastic condition, clearly works hard and brings her teammates along for the ride as well.

“She’s never content with what she does – she’s always finding ways to improve, is incredibly professional and that calmer, level head.”

Webb recognised Strom as a consistent and reliable player for the group, whose work rate never drops off, as she averaged just under 90 per cent time on ground in 2024.

“She’s played over 60 games now, so that’s made her not only a remarkable player but a reliable one,” Webb said.

“Her willingness to keep pushing herself in tough moments doesn’t go unnoticed and she’s got that great grit and tenacity.

“I’m so pleased she’s being rewarded for all the hard work she’s put in and we’re extremely lucky to have her.”

Despite missing a game due to injury, Webb praised runner-up McCarthy for an impressive All Australian season.

“Aish is willing to play any role for the team and even missed a game this year but to able to perform as consistently as she did is a credit to the way she trains and the way she recovers week to week,” Webb said.

Webb highlighted McCarthy’s reliability and versatility, touching on her ability to hit to scoreboard after impacting in the midfield.

“She does a lot of the inside work, but her polish on the outside is something we saw from a couple of remarkable goals,” Webb said.

“She is an extremely reliable player. To fit in so well in her first year just shows the type of player she is.

“We’re really proud to have her part of our group now and I’m sure she’ll only go from strength to strength.”

Newton had an interrupted pre-season with a back injury, however Webb said it didn’t stop the young recruit from doing everything she could to be ready for week 1.

Gabby’s willingness to get the most out of herself after an interrupted pre-season shone a light on her incredibly resilient mindset,” Webb said.

“When she was injured, she was finding ways to stay connected to the group and learn our game plan.

“She’s one of the most skilled players I’ve seen play the game, but is always finding ways to improve and her composure and mindset to keep herself and her teammates accountable is something we’re really lucky to have.”

Webb praised Newton for her ability to connect with the entire group so well in just one season.

“She’s really balanced both on and off the field and she’s just one of those players that you just love to be around,” Webb said.

“She’s been a great connection piece for our group and we knew that she would be from the moment she walked in the door. 

“I just can’t wait to see the future for her because it’s extremely bright.”

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

• Mim Strom – 256
• Aisling McCarthy – 237
• Gabby Newton – 228
• Emma O’Driscoll – 222
• Gabby O’Sullivan – 183
• Orlagh Lally – 182
• Jessica Low – 180
• Ash Brazill – 170
• Laura Pugh – 162
• Dana East - 153