Tara Murray
Ellie Blackburn’s incredible record at the Western Bulldogs continues to grow, with the skipper winning her fourth best and fairest award.
The 27-year-old led the count from start to finish, polling 94 votes to finish ahead of ruck Alice Edmonds on 78 votes and Isabelle Pritchard in third place on 70 votes.
Blackburn averaged 20 disposals, three marks, five clearances and five tackles from 11 games this season.
She also led the club for total disposals, metres gained, clearances and tackles, while finishing third across the league for average inside 50s.
She was named in the All-Australian squad of 42 players for a record seventh time – one of just three players to achieve the feat.
Blackburn also became the club’s first AFLW 50-gamer in round three.
It was Blackburn’s second best and fairest award in 2022, having shared the award with Kirsty Lamb in season six.
She also won last season’s award.
Blackburn said she could have never imagined having the success that she’s had in her time in the AFLW.
She has finished in the top two of the best and fairest award each year.
“All I ever wanted to do was play footy at the highest level and to be able to do that with the Western Bulldogs at an AFLW level is my dream and I live it every single day,” she said.
“A bit of advice I got really early on, the good players are really consistent in their performance. “That’s what you rate it off as much as possible, for me I’ve always wanted to be really consistent in my performance.
“For me making sure I do all the little things right to ensure that is the case… try and dig in all the little things that contribute to the bigger picture.”
Blackburn said for her the highlight this season was playing finals footy, while also looking at the exciting young talent coming through.
Blackburn paid tribute to the work of Edmonds and Pritchard, who finished in the top three for the first time.
She highlighted the work Edmonds had done after originally not being on a list last season to being one of the best rucks in the competition, while she said no one works as hard as Pritchard.
Edmonds claimed the most improved award, Pritchard was recognised as the best young player, and Jess Fitzgerald took out both the coaches’ award and community award
In other honours, All-Australian defender Katie Lynch was voted the domestique, Isabella Grant claimed the trainers’ award, and Gabby Newton finished the season as the leading goalkicker with eight majors.
