Williamstown’s Emily Eaves continues to get better and better as the dream of playing in the AFLW has returned.
Eaves, who shared the Victorian Football League women’s coaches most valuable player award last month, claimed her third third club best and fairest award at the club’s awards night.
Eaves finished with 86 votes to finish ahead of India Barker (71 votes) in second and Jemima Wrigley (70 votes).
The vice-captain averaged 17 disposals, 6.9 clearances, and 6.7 tackles across 16 matches in 2025.
“It’s pretty crazy,’ Eaves said. “It still feels like my first year at Williamstown and I’ve just moved down from Sydney.
“It’s pretty cool to win three in a row. It was my most consistent season yet.”
Eaves said she had a really big off season heading in the 2025 season keen to see how far she could push herself.
She led the vote count early on but thought she had a ‘few stinkers’ in the last few games but was able to hold on.
“It was nice to win but I also enjoyed winning it with a teammate last year,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to see the girls who finished second and third.
“Indi Barker has been like my minion and I’ve watched her grow up.
“Jemima is one of my best mates from Sydney and she came down and we got to play together.”
Eaves said she had always looked up to Wrigley and even started playing football because she did.
Like she spoke about on the VFL awards night, Eaves was full of praise for the Seagulls and the whole Williamstown community.
“It’s a big part of my life and I can’t say how much I love the club,” she said. “I wish everyone got to experience the family that I have at this club.
“They are so special and bring out the best in you. Not just the coaches but the whole community.”
Eaves, who moved down from Sydney before joining the Seagulls, said she doesn’t plan on going home anytime soon with Williamstown now becoming home.
Eaves’ season had former coach Liam Cavanagh regularly mention throughout the year that he thought Eaves should be on an AFLW list.
It’s something that she’s now keen to chase.
“I wanted to get drafted but I fell in love with Willy and forgot about it,” she said. “There’s a spark in me again and I want to get to the next level.”
Eaves is also keen to taste team success with the Seagulls, who have fallen just short of a grand final the past three seasons.
She said the group was keen to get some reward for effort.
Ï think we have wanted it so bad the last three years and just missed out,” she said. “It’ll be different with Cav not being here but I have full belief if we stick together.
“I don’t want to waste the opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Luke Parks made it back-to-back wins in the Gerry Callahan Medal.
