Fremantle midfielder Kiara Bowers’ outstanding 2020 season has been recognised with a runner-up finish in the AFL Women’s Best and Fairest count, held online on Tuesday on afl.com.au.
Bowers finished second with 12 votes from a possible maximum of 18.
Star Carlton youngster Maddy Prespakis secured the medal in the final game of the count, polling three votes to break a tie with Bowers to win the medal outright with 15 votes.
Bowers’ votes came via four best on ground performances in six games, earning the maximum votes in round one against Geelong, round two against West Coast, round five against Brisbane and round six against the Western Bulldogs.
Bowers said she was thrilled for Prespakis.
“Mads is a very deserving winner. It was a weird night but I’m very glad that she got the accolade as she’s incredible,” Bowers said.
“I have to credit my votes back to the girls. They’re the ones that make you look good. I will 100 per cent take the votes but I know that I’ll make sure I get around my teammates as they’re the ones that helped me get them.
“I look at my season in how our girls did and obviously, we were quite successful going unbeaten.
“That means that I must be doing pretty well out there, if we’re doing well. I wouldn’t count it as an outstanding season as we didn’t end up in the final dance, so there’s always something to work on for next season.
“Most of all I’m happy with not getting injured as well!”
Fremantle defender Philipa Seth polled the second-most votes for Fremantle with three, earning votes against Collingwood and St Kilda.
Gemma Houghton, Hayley Miller, Jasmin Stewart and Sabreena Duffy all polled two votes while Ebony Antonio and Gabby O’Sullivan had a vote each.
Bowers was delighted to see Seth on the leaderboard.
“Phil’s one of the most underrated players, and I’ve said it to her a million times,” Bowers said.
“She doesn’t rate herself as highly as everyone else rates her. I think if you were to have a one-on-one person play against you, she would be at the bottom of the list as I would hate to play on her!
“She’s incredible and I’m really happy that she was recognised by the umpires.”
The Fremantle players enjoyed the night exchanging texts with teammates, who mostly dressed up for the occasion.
Bowers said there was some confusion near the end.
“There were a heap of messages in the group chat as we were all watching it,” Bowers said.
“A couple of the girls thought it was a tie so there was a bunch coming through.
“Everyone is just excited and congratulating me, they’re very, very lovely to me and they always are. I’m very thankful to them.”
Bowers also thanked the fans for their passionate support in 2020.
“I’m upset that we couldn’t get the season done for them and get us over the line,” Bowers said.
“But thank you guys for supporting me and my endeavours and more importantly, supporting our team and what we want to do and what we, hopefully, will do next season.”
2020 AFL WOMEN’S BEST AND FAIREST – THE TOP 14
Madison Prespakis (15 votes)
Kiara Bowers (12 votes)
Emma Kearney (11 votes)
Anne Hatchard (10 votes)
Jenna Bruton (10 votes)
Karen Paxman (9 votes)
Brittany Bonnici (7 votes)
Georgia Patrikios (7 votes)
Jaimee Lambert (7 votes)
Monique Conti (7 votes)
Alyce Parker (6 votes)
Cora Staunton (6 votes)
Dana Hooker (6 votes)
Elle Blackburn (6 votes)
FINAL FREO VOTES
12 - Kiara Bowers
3 - Philipa Seth
2 - Gemma Houghton, Hayley Miller, Jasmin Stewart, Sabreena Duffy
1 - Ebony Antonio, Gabby O'Sullivan
