Fremantle’s Gemma Houghton and Kiara Bowers have been reaffirmed as stars of the game, named in the Toyota AFL Women’s All Australian team for the second consecutive season.
Teammates Sabreena Duffy and Ebony Antonio were unlucky to miss out on selection for the second-straight year after being initially named in the 40-player squad.
Houghton was named at half forward after exciting fans all season. She led the competition for score involvements, applied tremendous forward pressure and kicked four goals from her seven games.
Bowers was named in the centre and dominated as a midfielder, creating headlines with her 99 tackles in 2020 - almost double that of any other player.
The Fremantle leader also contributed offensively, ranking third for ground ball gets, fourth for contested possessions, sixth for inside 50s and was in the top 10 for metres gained.
Her overall game was ranked no.1 by champion data, where she led the league for rankings points.
Bowers also appears to lead the league for modesty, with the determined midfielder crediting her teammates for her season.
“To get a second All Australian is amazing, I feel privileged and lucky that I have the team around me who make me look half decent out there,” Bowers said.
“I put it back to those girls for being such good teammates to make me look good, so I feel very lucky.”
Like Bowers, Houghton praised her teammates for helping her earn the recognition.
“It’s pretty surreal at the moment. I don’t see it as an individual award, it’s a reflection of our team and the way that we play. I’m just happy to be a part of it,” Houghton said.
“To be an All Australian twice in the purple colours, I wouldn’t want that at any other team. I’m really honoured.”
Houghton said the award gave her additional motivation for 2021.
“(The award) makes you stronger and makes you more confident but it’s also your teammates pushing you to be the best you can be,” Houghton said.
“I’m excited to see what the next season has for us.”
Bowers said she was proud to share the award once again with Houghton.
“I thought Gemma’s year was better than any of her other years,” Bowers said.
“I think the work she did up the ground this year was unstoppable.
“She didn’t kick many goals but she created more than anyone else. She was outstanding and she wouldn’t have lost many battles one-on-one. I’m glad she’s on our team.”
Fremantle senior coach Trent Cooper agreed with Bowers’ assessment of Houghton’s year.
“Gemma’s season has been more consistent than her All Australian year in 2019,” Cooper said.
“Her forward pressure is at the elite level, which is really unusual for a player of her size. She adds so much to any forward line that she’s in and she’s a deserving member of this year’s All Australian team.
“Kiara was a dominant player every week. A lot has been made of her tackle numbers but she gives so much.
“She’s such a good ball user and her score involvements and metres gained have been amazing as well. She’s thoroughly deserving of her spot in the team.”
Cooper also praised the seasons of Duffy and Antonio.
It’s the second season Duffy and Antonio have been named in the initial All Australian squad but missed out on final selection.
“All 14 coaches would think other players deserved a spot and for us, I think Sabreena had an amazing year with the most goals in the competition,” Cooper said.
“She was the premier small forward in the competition but they didn’t end up naming a small forward in the side.
“Similarly, Ebony’s efforts on the wing - I think everyone would say that she ended up being the best wing in the competition by the end of the year.
"In the end, they chose two very good inside midfield players to play in those positions, even though they didn’t play that specific role as an outside midfielder this year.”
