The eighth season of the AFLW will come to a close this weekend when the Brisbane Lions battle it out with the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos for the premiership.
To celebrate another successful year of women’s football, the league held the W Awards on Monday night, acknowledging the incredible efforts of the competition’s top players.
Monique Conti from the Richmond Tigers took out the top prize of the night, receiving the Best and Fairest Award.
Fellow Tiger Caitlin Greiser kicked the Goal of the Year and Courtney Hodder from Brisbane took the Mark of the Year, while GWS GIANTS’ Zarlie Golsworthy was named the Rising Star.
Women’s Agenda spoke with the winners to hear how they felt receiving the accolade – and their advice for aspiring future footy legends.
Monique Conti, Richmond Tigers – Best and Fairest
The star midfielder received 23 votes, making her the clear winner and first Richmond AFLW player to take home the prestigious award.
“It feels a bit unreal,” she said.
“It’s been a bit of a wild ride – I didn’t expect it at all, and I’m very happy and humble.
“I know that this is an individual accolade, but I think no one can ever win such an award without good people around.”
Although Richmond didn’t progress to finals this season, the side finished strong with a 52-point win over Collingwood – the highlight of the season for Conti.
“As a team, being able to dig deep and finish on a high to set us up for next year – it was probably a highlight for me and the girls,” Conti said.
Conti entered the league in 2018 when she was 18 years old. By then, she was already an established basketball player in the WNBL.
“I guess I would say I was a basketballer… I would put basketball first, and then come and do footy after that,” Conti said.
“It was definitely a massive juggle – but that’s how I liked it too.”
Although her season with the AFLW has wrapped up, her season in the WNBL started three weeks ago. Yes – she still plays professional basketball, for the Melbourne Boomers.
“For me, it’s just about balance and communication, and making sure I’m open and honest with how I go about it and making sure that I’m listening to my body,” she said.
Conti has two bits of advice for young girls wanting to be where she is today.
“You gotta enjoy what you do,” she said. “You have to love it, because at the end of the day, it should feel like something that you love doing, something you want to wake up and get better at every day.
“You also have to go the extra mile. You have to do that little bit extra to be better, to become the athlete that you want to be, the person you want to be.”
Caitlin Greiser, Richmond Tigers – Goal of the Year
The Round 10 match against Collingwood was a special moment not just for Conti, but for fellow tiger Caitlin Greiser.
“We played so well and we were able to finish on a high,” Greiser said.
“We obviously didn’t have the season we wanted… I was pretty happy with how it went.”
But it wasn’t just the massive win that made the match her highlight – it was also because she scored the killer goal that would win her Goal of the Year at the W Awards.
“I left it right to the end, didn’t I?” Greiser laughed, remembering she scored the goal in the final minute of the game – the final minute of her season.
“I was shocked that I won, to be honest… but so stoked. It’s so special.”
This was Greiser’s first season with the Tigers, starting her AFLW career with St Kilda in 2020. Before footy, however, she was heading towards a professional career in soccer.
“I loved footy growing up. I always wanted to play,” she said.
“But mum and dad didn’t really want me playing footy with the boys, and obviously there was no opportunity to go further at the time (with the girls).
“So I took up soccer – but I just loved footy. You’d see me watching the footy more than you’d see me watching the soccer.”
Greiser’s advice for the next generation of AFLW stars is to have fun and enjoy it.
“Growing up, you have to have fun playing sport. I think I really enjoyed my sport when I was younger and that made me fall in love with it,” she said.
“I think it’s really important that you just get yourself out there and have fun, but more importantly, put the hard yards in. Work hard, make sure you’re working for what you want to achieve.”
Zarlie Goldsworthy, GWS GIANTS – Rising Star
It’s Zarlie Goldsworthy’s second AFLW season. But at just 19 years old, she has already made her mark, named the Rising Star at the W Awards.
“I don’t think it’s properly sunk in yet,” she said, “it’s a huge honour to be recognised with this award.”
Like Greiser, Goldsworthy was a soccer player growing up, but would play footy with the boys at lunchtime at school.
It wasn’t until she was 16 – just three years ago – that she started properly playing the game.
“The difference (between AFL and soccer) is I just have such a passion for footy,” she said.
“I absolutely love it. I’m definitely happy I made the switch.”
On top of the Rising Star award, as well as some pretty impressive averages for disposals, hitouts and clearances, Goldsworthy also made her maiden appearance on the All-Australian side for the AFLW.
Looking back on her first two seasons in the AFLW, Goldsworthy has some good advice for other Rising Stars in the making.
“Just be yourself,” she said. “I think last year I was probably still in my shell a bit around the club and with my teammates.
“Whereas this year I just felt a lot more comfortable around the group. I think that reflects on the football field.”
Courtney Hodder, Brisbane Lions – Mark of the Year
Season 8 isn’t over just yet. There’s still one more match to play – the NAB AFLW Grand Final, between the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne this Sunday.
But for now, Courtney Hodder can celebrate her individual win, taking out the Mark of the Year.
“I’m still a little bit lost for words,” she said, “I don’t think it’s sunk in.
“I’m extremely grateful and happy that I’ve been recognised for Mark of the Year.”
Hodder’s highlight of the season is still to come, she said, as she prepares for the big dance this weekend.
“I’m excited, nervous, got mixed emotions – but just ready to ride the wave and just follow through with the journey and see where that takes us,” she said.
“We’re very excited for the grand final. We’ve got a good group of girls here at the Brisbane Lions, and I’m looking forward to running out on the field with each and every one of them.”
Hodder’s advice for young people wanting to play in the AFLW is simple: work hard.
“I always say hard work beats talent,” she said, “so if you put 110% into everything you do, you’ll definitely reap the rewards at the end.
“Work hard, and then you’ll reach your goals.”
The NAB AFLW Grand Final is on this Sunday 3 December at 2:30pm. North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions will battle it out for the premiership at IKON Park in Melbourne. You can catch the game on Channel 7 or stream it on 7plus, Kayo, Fox or the AFL app.