She may not be one for the individual accolades, but Kiara Bowers sure knows how to attract them.
Voted unanimously as the best player afield in Fremantle’s RAC Derby win over West Coast, Bowers picked up her second consecutive AFLW Derby Medal on Sunday afternoon.
Bowers was superb throughout Fremantle’s midfield, finishing with 23 disposals (17 contested), 14 tackles, 132 AFL Fantasy points, seven clearances and a goal.
Bowers said the tough, wet conditions led to a hard-fought contest with Freo’s cross-town rivals.
“We’re happy to get the win, that’s what we came here for,” Bowers said.
“We knew it was going to be a very tough game and no one was going to get it on the outside.
“They were shocking conditions, no one likes to play in it…but shout out to (the Eagles), it was a hard-fought game.
“I’m proud of our girls and the pressure was good and I am glad that we got the 4 points.”
While an RAC Derby is usually packed to the rafters with supporters from both sides, a stark contrast was felt at Freo Oval with no fans permitted entry due to WA’s current Covid-19 restrictions.
Bowers said the Purple Army were sorely missed, but her teammates thrived off their passion from home.
“Not that there are any here but shout out to the fans, you guys are incredible,” Bowers said.
“Cheers to all of our Freo fans at home, we appreciate you guys and we missed you today, thank you!
“To our girls, mate, I love you’s…let’s enjoy this and then go into round 3 and hit them hard.”
Bowers’ sheer consistency week in week out left senior coach Trent Cooper sounding like a broken record as he heaped praise on Bowers post-game.
“Kiara loves playing in the wet and it suits her game,” Cooper said.
“In these conditions, we knew she’d get the 14 tackles, that was never in doubt, but what we’re really rapt with now is that she’s getting a bit more ball on the outside.
“I think she had 400 metres gained today which is probably worth 1000 in the dry so it was an amazing effort to do that.
“I don’t know what to say about her because it’s the same every week, we know what we’re going to get…and she drags all her teammates along with her.”
The following votes were awarded by judges of the AFLW Derby Medal.
Mitchell Woodcock (The West Australian)
3 votes - K. Bowers (Freo)
2 votes - M. Bowen (WCE)
1 vote - B. Smith (WCE)
Nathan Schmook (AFL Media)
3 votes - K. Bowers (Freo)
2 votes - M. Bowen (WCE)
1 vote - S. Cain (Freo)
Nikki Harwood (ABC Radio)
3 votes - K. Bowers (Freo)
2 votes - M. Bowen (WCE)
1 vote - H. Miller (Freo)
Total votes
9 votes - K. Bowers (Freo)
6 votes - M. Bowen (WCE)
1 vote - S. Cain (Freo)
1 vote - H.Miller (Freo)
1 vote - B. Smith (WCE)
