MEATH ALL-IRELAND WINNER Vikki Wall and Armagh star Blaithin Mackin have both been nominated for the AFLW’s Best First-Year Player award.
Wall, 2021 Ladies Football Players’ Player of the Year, is North Melbourne’s representative after an impressive debut campaign.
The Dunboyne ace missed out on an All-Star award back home on Saturday night.
Mackin, meanwhile, has been put forward after a superb showing with Melbourne, having helped the Dees to this weekend’s Grand Final where they face Brisbane Lions. Mackin plays alongside Sinéad Goldrick, while they’ll face Orla O’Dwyer in Sunday’s showdown.
Two Irish players have also been nominated for the overall AFLW MVP award.
AFL Players AFLW MVP Awards
— AFLW Ireland (@aflw_ireland) November 21, 2022
Huge CONGRATULATIONS to both @Blaithin_Mackin & @vikki_wall who have BOTH BEEN NOMINATED for the “BEST FIRST YEAR PLAYER” 🙌🙌
How AMAZING 🤩
We could not be more excited having helped both Blaithin & Vikki secure their AFLW spots💚@AFLPlayers pic.twitter.com/jZ1VlZqiOh
Three players are put forward by each club, with Áine Tighe among Fremantle Dockers’ representatives and Aileen Gilroy in the mix for Hawthorn. Leitrim sharpshooter Tighe enjoyed a stellar second full season for Freo after knee injuries scuppered her previous two, while Mayo’s Gilroy excelled after her move to the Hawks from North Melbourne.
Voting for the AFLW MVP and Best First-Year Player award, along with Most Courageous and Best Captain, is a two-stage process, with players nominating their team-mates in stage one before selecting from a competition-wide field in stage two.
Players cannot vote for a player from their own club during stage two of the voting process.
The AFL Players’ Association will recognise the achievements of the award winners at an event on Wednesday.
- You can see the full list of nominees here >