She’s only 19, but Carlton midfielder Madison Prespakis has been named the best player in the AFLW for the 2020 season.
Prespakis received the best-and-fairest award on Tuesday night, becoming the first teenager to ever do so. This year was only Prespakis’ second season in the AFLW, and the recognition comes one year after she received the AFLW’s Rising Star award.
She was presented with the award by the 2019 best-and-fairest recipient, Erin Phillips, via online video.
“In two very short years in our competition, Maddy, you have taken it by absolute storm,” Phillips said of Prespakis.
“Winning the 2019 NAB Rising Star, the Carlton best-and-fairest for the past two years. Now at the age of 19, you are the AFLW best-and-fairest. Congratulations Maddy, you are an absolute star of the game.”
Moments after receiving the award, Prespakis said, “I’m pretty shocked, and am just trying to let it all sink in. I’ve just been crying the whole time.”
Prespakis thought she may have made the top 5 or 7 in terms of votes for the best-and-fairest award, but didn’t think she had a chance of winning.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” she said, after her younger sister presented her with her medal at home.
Prespakis joins two-time winner Erin Phillips and Emma Kearney as AFLW best-and-fairest winners.
Isabel Huntington was named the winner of the AFLW Rising Star Award.
AFLW Best and Fairest:
Madison Prespakis (Carlton) 15
Kiara Bowers (Fremantle) 12
Emma Kearney (North Melb) 11
Anne Hatchard (Adelaide) 10
Jenna Bruton (North Melb) 10
Karen Paxman (Melbourne) 9
Brittany Bonnici (Collingwood) 7
Georgia Patrikios (St Kilda) 7
Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood) 7
Monique Conti (Richmond) 7