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Adelaide’s Ebony Marinoff has capped off a stellar 2024 season by winning the AFLW’s Best and Fairest award. Marinoff took out the top honour on Monday night, finishing with 23 votes, three ahead of North Melbourne’s Ash Riddell, who came in second.
Marinoff had a career-best season, dominating stoppages with her high work rate, strong ball use, and impact on both ends of the game. She set career-high averages in disposals (30.5), contested possessions (16.5), tackles (12.4), clearances (6.5), and pressure acts (26.7).
Earlier in the evening, Marinoff received her seventh All-Australian blazer, recognising her continued excellence at the highest level.
The race for the Best and Fairest was tight, with Marinoff and Riddell neck-and-neck throughout the count. The result wasn’t decided until the final round, when Marinoff earned two votes against Geelong, securing the win. Riddell only picked up one vote in her last match against Gold Coast.
Marinoff had an early lead in the count, polling eight out of a possible nine votes in the opening rounds. Despite some strong performances from other players, including Essendon’s Maddy Prespakis and Georgia Nanscawen, and Hawthorn’s Emily Bates, Marinoff stayed at the top for the remainder of the count.
“I think it just goes to hard work. I’m a really competitive person, and I have an incredible drive to get the best out of myself, both on and off the field, so I guess standing up here today just goes to show, you put the work in, you get rewards,” Marinoff said.
“To my Crows family, I’m a proud South Australian, so to be able to play for the club that I support, and being there with success, and this year, just, I think that connection – I love you all, and I’m so proud to be up here.”
Adelaide women’s footy boss Phil Harper said Marinoff was a very worthy winner: “To be named the AFLW Best and Fairest is a huge honour and one that Ebony should be extremely proud of and as a club we are very proud of their efforts this season,” he said.
“She works tirelessly to improve herself and her teammates and leads from the front every week.”
2024 AFLW Best and Fairest Voting Results:
- Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide) – 23 votes
- Ash Riddell (North Melbourne) – 20 votes
- Madison Prespakis (Essendon) – 18 votes
- Emily Bates (Hawthorn) – 17 votes
- Monique Conti (Richmond) – 17 votes
- Georgia Nanscawen (Essendon) – 17 votes
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