Fremantle marquee signing Kiara Bowers has won the Dhara Kerr award for the WAWFL Fairest and Best in a thrilling count at the Duxton Hotel on Monday night. 

Bowers – who ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament playing for Coastal Titans a fortnight ago - needed to poll the maximum three votes from the 15^th and final round to tie with Titans’ teammate and Collingwood marquee player Emma King on 21 votes.

Faced with serious competition on the day from forward Amy Lavell – who bagged eight goals in the Titans’ 180-point thumping of Claremont – the 24-year-old was adjudged best on ground, an accolade she didn’t expect to receive.

“I actually thought I was off for half of that last game,” Bowers said.

“Emma King had won at that point so I was just wrapped for her, but I think all the girls had figured out I could still draw and I didn’t realise.

“It was a lot of fun.”

The award was Bowers’ fifth, equalling all-time record set by Louise Knitter.

The midfielder is widely regarded as one of the strongest runners in the women’s game and entered the season with a focus on building strength.

She said she could scarcely believe what she had achieved.

“It’s pretty amazing, when I first started out I didn’t think I’d win one, let alone five,” Bowers said.

“I set some goals this year to get a bit more strength in my game and keep my fitness up and I’m stoked to see it paid off.

Fremantle women’s coach Michelle Cowan praised Bowers’ determination and personality.

Cowan coached Bowers in three exhibition matches for the Melbourne Demons and noted the 24-year-old’s on-field leadership as a point of difference amongst her peers.

“She’s got great character – she’s an extremely driven individual,” Cowan said.

“She likes to carry the rest of the team with her as well. She’s a really united team player both on and off the field and she’s definitely really deserving of that award last night.

Knee surgery for Bowers

Fremantle national women’s league manager Wade Spilcker echoed Cowan’s sentiments and reaffirmed Bowers would have an active off-field role to play in 2017, despite having to undergo a third knee reconstruction.
“You could tell by the reaction in the room what her win meant to everybody in the female footy community when it became apparent that she could potentially poll three votes in the last game,” Spilcker said.

“There wasn’t a person in the room that didn’t want her to do that. The reception that she got was just fantastic. It was a real testament to how she is perceived amongst her peers.

“Certainly we know, based on her playing ability and character, she’ll have a lot to offer the group.

“We’ll wait to see what her rehab process looks like and her time and commitment involved in that before we start to think about what other external roles there might be.

“We’d like to have her back with the group as soon as possible and, no doubt, she wants to be back with the group as well.

“She’s that kind of person – she’s incredibly driven to get back to playing footy and being part of the group and contributing to the group.”

Bowers will undergo surgery next month to repair the same ACL she injured on two previous occasions.

She said she was in good spirits ahead of the procedure, attributing her positive mindset to experience.

“I think I’m holding up better than most,” Bowers said.

“Obviously doing it twice before, I know what it’s about.

“It is a bit shattering, especially the timing, but I’m still excited to be a part of Freo and they’ve treated me well and been amazing.

“I’m just more excited and ready to get the ball rolling and get the surgery done.”

Fellow Fremantle marquee player Kara Donnellan (19 votes) finished fourth in the count, while GWS marquee signing Renee Forth (12 votes) – who also ruptured her ACL in the same match as Bowers – came fifth.

Donnellan was in the mix for the award until the final round, before her Fremantle teammate clinched the victory.

Bowers commended her midfield counterpart, who has been compared to former Carlton and West Coast star Chris Judd. 

“Kara could’ve easily snuck in there and got the bickies and if she had of won, she would’ve deserved it just as much,” Bowers said.