Kiara Bowers may have been the overwhelming winner in the voting for the inaugural winner of the Best on Ground Medal in the RAC Derby, but the elite midfielder had her own opinion on who deserved the accolade.
All three judges awarded Bowers the three votes for her 18 tackles and 13 disposals in Freo’s 45-point win at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
But Bowers thought fellow midfielder Katie-Jayne Grieve deserved more than the one vote she received for her 11 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals.
A recruit from Carlton ahead of the 2019 season, Bowers said Grieve had taken her game to another level in 2020.
“KJ, she was incredible!” Bowers said.
“I’ve seen her step up these past couple of weeks and to be honest, I would hate to be an opposition player on her.
“She kicked two goals and had 11 tackles. She would be my BOG.”
Bowers was thrilled with Freo’s all-round team performance, praising both ends of the ground.
“The backline would be my favourite line, their effort and they didn’t lose any contest, they didn’t let any marks get in there easy. I think they deserve a massive pat on the back,” Bowers said.
“We are very lucky that we have so many great forwards, we’re not just relying on one person to step up every week.
“Gemma Houghton was great, Ebony Antonio was great. Gabby O’Sullivan with her one percenters was great.
“We don’t have to worry about who’s going to step up (in the forward line) because there are so many in there who are incredible. We know what we’re going to get when it goes in there.”
BEST ON GROUND MEDAL VOTES
Mark Duffield (The West Australian)
3 votes - Kiara Bowers (FFC)
2 votes - Gabby O'Sullivan (FFC)
1 vote - Emma Swanson (WCE)
Abbey Holmes (Channel 7)
3 votes - Kiara Bowers (FFC)
2 votes - Gabby O'Sullivan (FFC)
1 vote - Gemma Houghton (FFC)
Beau McDonald (ABC Radio)
3 votes - Kiara Bowers (FFC)
2 votes - Gabby O'Sullivan (FFC)
1 vote - Katie-Jayne Grieve (FFC)
Total votes
9 votes - Kiara Bowers (FFC)
6 votes - Gabby O'Sullivan (FFC)
1 vote - Katie-Jayne Grieve (FFC)
1 vote - Gemma Houghton (FFC)
1 vote - Emma Swanson (WCE)
