Georgia Nanscawen’s exceptional 2025 season has been rewarded with her first Essendon AFLW Best and Fairest honour at the W Melbourne on Thursday night.
Finishing the campaign on 137 votes, the 33-year-old won out from former winner Maddy Prespakis and second-year sensation Amy Gaylor, who each tallied 116 votes as joint runners up.
Nanscawen has gone from strength to strength since her first appearance with the Club at AFLW level in 2023, rebounding from an ACL injury and staking her claim as one of the best pure inside players in the competition.
In addition to her averages of 23 disposals and four clearances across every match this season, the workhorse midfielder also went at over 10 tackles per game, good for third overall in the league.
After claiming Players’ Player and runner up honours last year, the Best and Fairest win is another feather in the cap of the Club’s inaugural AFLW signing.
Teammates often point to Nanscawen as a player who makes them walk taller on gameday – her tenacity and courage have always endeared Bombers fans to the No.5 in long sleeves.
Gaylor showed no signs of second-year blues this season, with the 20-year-old emerging as one of the most exciting young talents in the W space.
Floating between half back and the middle - and often playing above her height with a notable aerial prowess - Gaylor averaged nearly 18 touches per game, headlined by some starring efforts against the competition’s elite.
She saved her best outing for a clash with Grand Finalist Brisbane at Windy Hill (24 disposals) and impressed against the eventual premiers North Melbourne on home deck with 19 touches and a brilliant early goal.
Featuring in every game across her two campaigns to date, the accolades are already beginning for the youngster, named in the All-Australian squad this year and the final 22under22 team.
Gaylor was also named the Club’s Players’ Sash Standard Award winner, as voted by her teammates for embodying the values on-field.
Prespakis’ consistency is no surprise – this is a third top three finish in four seasons as a Bomber.
The 25-year-old is one of the comp’s classiest and that was on display frequently in a Dons outfit that underwent plenty of change throughout the year. Prespakis averaged 23 disposals, four tackles and four clearances over her 11 games.
Her opening round effort against GWS set a strong early tone, starring with 26 disposals and a goal as the side went on to record its highest ever score at AFLW level in an 85-29 victory.
The former league Best and Fairest winner is an on-field focal point for her teammates and continues to add to her long list of honours at senior level.
Co-Captains Bonnie Toogood and Steph Cain finished fourth and fifth respectively in reward for consistent campaigns as leaders.
Youngster Chloe Adams was also recognised with multiple honours on the night.
The tough midfielder received the Most Courageous Player award for her ability to put her body on the line at all stages this season, as well as the Rising Star after a dependable campaign having featured in every game.
Steph Wales’ impact was also highlighted in the form of both Best Club Person and the Trainers and Staff awards, the Emerging Leader displaying terrific character around the Club throughout her knee rehab period and subsequent return to play.
Georgia Gee and Sophie Alexander finished as joint leading goalkickers with eight apiece for the season.
See below for the full leaderboard and list of award winners from the night.
Leaderboard
1. Georgia Nanscawen – 137 votes
=2. Maddy Prespakis – 116 votes
=2. Amy Gaylor – 116 votes
4. Bonnie Toogood – 97 votes
5. Steph Cain – 96 votes
6. Georgia Gee – 88 votes
7. Chloe Adams – 87 votes
8. Alex Morcom – 85 votes
9. Georgia Clarke – 80 votes
10. Steph Wales – 78 votes
Award winners
Most Courageous Player – Chloe Adams
Rising Star – Chloe Adams
Leading Goalkicker – Georgia Gee and Sophie Alexander (tied)
Best Club Person – Steph Wales
Trainers and Staff Award – Steph Wales
Players’ Sash Standard Award – Amy Gaylor
