Emily Bates was rewarded for her outstanding QAFLW season by taking the top honour as QAFLW’s Best & Fairest player in 2019, as well as being named Captain of the QAFLW Team of the Year at AFL Queensland’s annual awards last night. 

Bates, who plays for Yeronga South Brisbane, finished top of the leaderboard with 16 points, just edging out her Lions and Yeronga teammate Jordan Zanchetta, who finished equal second with 15 points, alongside Bond University’s Kalinda Howarth.

Jessica Weutschner, who has played in the backline for premiers Coorparoo this year, finished fourth in the count and was also awarded Mark of the Year.

Natalie Grider, who plays for the University of Queensland in the QAFLW, rounded out the top five of the leaderboard, with 11 points.

Shannon Campbell, who usually stars for the Lions in the backline, was awarded the QAFLW Goal of the Year, while playing for Maroochydore. Campbell also received one of the most prestigious awards for the evening, named QAFLW Most Valued player as voted by the coaches.

Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy player Lily Postlethwaite, who plays alongside Campbell at Maroochydore, received the 2019 QAFLW Rising Star award. 

Eight Lions players were also named in the QAFLW Team of the Year. Bates was joined in the midfield by Grider, while Wuetschner and Breanna Koenen, who played for the University of Queensland, were named in the backline. 

Campbell was named in the forward line, alongside Jesse Wardlaw, who kicked six goals for the Kings in the QAFLW Grand Final. 

Jade Ellenger, also of the Kings, was named on the interchange bench, alongside Zanchetta.