Hawthorn will hold its inaugural AFLW best and fairest count on Thursday 17 November.

The night will see the Hawks crown their first-ever AFLW best and fairest winner among a host of other awards.

See who the contenders might be below.

Aileen Gilroy

After being recruited to Hawthorn as a defender, Aileen Gilroy had success across all three lines this season. With 38 AFLW games under her belt, Gilroy passionately led the Hawks’ young brigade while dominating on-field herself. She played all 10 games for the brown and gold this season and finished with averages of 12.3 disposals, 5.3 tackles and 2.5 clearances. The 29-year-old also impressed with her inside-50 rate, ranking in the top 20 of the competition with 3.5 per game.

Lucy Wales

Lucy Wales improved in leaps and bounds with each game she played in her debut season. Initially drafted as a developing ruck, the 19-year-old was soon thrust into the club’s number-one ruck spot following a season-ending knee injury to Tamara Luke. Wales more than held her own in the role, playing every game in her debut campaign and averaging 16.8 hit-outs, 9.7 disposals and 4.4 tackles. In terms of her impact in the league overall, she ranked in the top 10 for hit-outs and laid the second-most tackles (44) of any player who took 100 or more ruck contests this season. She also received a NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination for her performance in Round 7, totalling 17 hit-outs, 10 disposals and five tackles in Hawthorn’s win over Port Adelaide.

Jess Duffin

The Hawthorn Vice-Captain started the year in defence before making a game-changing move to the forward line in Round 6. The 33-year-old ended the season as the Hawks’ leading goalkicker with seven majors. The other impressive attribute of her game was her marking, averaging 2.5 for the season and ranking equal fifth in the league for total contested marks with 12. She played all 10 games this season before announcing her retirement from AFLW and the impending arrival of her first son.

Kaitlyn Ashmore

As the most experienced player on the team, Kaitlyn Ashmore delivered on great expectations. Arriving at the Hawks as a winger, the 31-year-old continued to dominate in that role while also helping out on the last line of defence. Missing just one game this season, Ashmore averaged 12.2 disposals, 5.2 tackles and 2.8 marks. She impressed with her pace, pressure and poise with ball in hand.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd

Tilly Lucas-Rodd continued her consistent AFLW form this season, providing leadership and composure in Hawthorn’s midfield. As the club’s inaugural AFLW captain, Lucas-Rodd led from the front as the highest-ranked Hawk in disposals, contested possessions, clearances and tackles. Speaking of tackles, she ranked fourth in the league with 84 for the season. Overall, she averaged 17.6 disposals, 8.4 tackles and 2.5 inside 50s from her 10 games in the brown and gold.

Tamara Smith

Tamara Smith had a debut season to remember in Hawthorn’s midfield. The 22-year-old averaged 10.3 disposals from her 10 appearances this season, highlighting her ball-winning ability. Her tackling pressure was a trademark of her game, averaging 8.1 for the season and ranking fifth overall in the league. She also laid the equal most tackles in a debut AFLW season with 81.

Jasmine Fleming

Jasmine Fleming cemented herself as one of Hawthorn’s most dangerous midfielders with her pressure, contest work and elite craft. Averaging 14.4 disposals and 4.3 tackles in her debut season, Fleming seemed to get better with each game she played. Her efforts were rewarded with a NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination and selection in the AFL Player’s Association 22under22 squad of 44. The 18-year-old tallied double-digit disposals in every game she played and recorded a career-high 25 possessions in Round 4. Overall, Fleming tallied the fifth-most disposals of any first-season player with 130, despite playing fewer games than the four players ahead of her.

Tahlia Fellows

After a quiet Round 1 game and then missing Rounds 2 and 3, Tahlia Fellows burst onto the scene in Round 5. The clever forward made her mark inside 50 at Punt Road Oval, booting three goals in a match-winning performance. She went on to kick another three majors for the season to go with averages of 5.8 disposals and 2.8 tackles. The 22-year-old often broke games open with her damaging pace and goal sense, proving to be one to watch in the brown and gold.

Charlotte Baskaran

Charlotte Baskaran was highly impressive in her debut AFLW campaign. Baskaran was drafted to the Hawks as a midfielder before experiencing success up forward and in defence this season. Even though she balanced Year 12 studies in her inaugural season, the 17-year-old still managed to play all 10 games in the brown and gold. She saved her best performance until Round 10 with 14 disposals, eight tackles and a goal. Overall, the midfielder averaged 10.5 disposals and 5.1 tackles for the season.