Super Sun Dominates the Club’s Best and Fairest Awards Edging Out Rising Star
The 2025 NAB AFLW season has concluded with exciting revelations during the Club Champion Awards. Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants celebrated their standout performers, highlighting impressive achievements in individual player performance.
Gold Coast Suns: Charlie Rowbottom Shines Again
Charlie Rowbottom emerged as the best player for the Gold Coast Suns, securing the title for the third time and second consecutive year. She accumulated 78 votes, narrowly surpassing teammate Havana Harris, who finished with 74 votes, and co-captain Lucy Single with 72 votes.
Rowbottom, at just 22 years old, has consistently excelled since her debut in 2022, always placing in the top two for the Club Champion awards. In her 50th AFLW match, she displayed remarkable skills, racking up 36 disposals, which included 27 contested possessions, along with eight tackles. This performance earned her full votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award.
Highlights of the Gold Coast Awards
- Most Professional: Annabel Kievit
- Players’ Player Award: Charlie Rowbottom
- Excellence Award: Charlie Rowbottom
- Leading Goalkicker: Havana Harris (11 goals)
- Female Academy Player of the Year: Sunny Lappin
Greater Western Sydney: Zarlie Goldsworthy’s Triumph
Zarlie Goldsworthy added to her accolades by winning the 2025 Gabrielle Trainor Medal for best and fairest at Greater Western Sydney. She finished with 40 votes, edging out last year’s winner, Rebecca Beeson, who garnered 38 votes.
Goldsworthy’s versatility in both midfield and forward positions was key to her success. Tarni Evans and Eilish O’Dowd tied for third place with 37 votes each, showcasing the club’s competitive talent.
Greater Western Sydney’s Awards Overview
- Coaches Award: Emily Pease
- Academy Player of the Year: Isla Wiencke
- Rising Star Award: Grace Martin
- Members’ Choice Award: Kaitlyn Srhoj
- Mark of the Year: Brodee Mowbray (Round 2 vs. Collingwood)
- Goal of the Year: Tarni Evans (Round 10 vs. Fremantle)
- Leading Goalkicker: Tarni Evans (13 goals)
- Jacinda Barclay Fearless Award: Brodee Mowbray
Both clubs have showcased exceptional talent, with Charlie Rowbottom dominating the Suns’ awards and Zarlie Goldsworthy making her mark at the Giants. The 2025 NAB AFLW season has certainly highlighted the rising stars and established players of the league.
