MELBOURNE celebrated its history-making season on Saturday night at the club's 2022 Season Seven Best and Fairest night.
Take a look at the four award winners below.
Demon Spirit Award – Rhi Watt
The Demon Spirit Award is given to the player that embodies the club’s values wholeheartedly and there is none more deserving of this award than Rhi Watt.
Joining Melbourne at the beginning of season seven, Watt quickly made an impression on the football program with her positive energy and infectious determination to be better both on and off the field.
Despite powering through rehab for an ACL injury, she continued to be a leader within the team, contributing to the club’s culture with her weekly “Rhi-hab Update”, an opportunity to provide the program with a light-hearted update on the rehab group.
While Watt may not have made an impact on-field due to her injury, the impact she made off-field did not go unnoticed, making her a deserving recipient of this season’s Demon Spirit Award.
Third Place – Olivia Purcell
Olivia Purcell pushed her game to new heights in season seven, producing a career-best campaign which earned her third place in Melbourne’s best and fairest count, with 62 votes from 13 games.
After returning from an ACL injury towards the backend of season six, Purcell was determined to make an impact when play returned in August.
From Round 1, she instantly became one of the most competitive midfielders in the league, her ruthless nature helping elevate the team’s elite midfield. She ranked among the best in the league for average metres gained (290.6) and average disposals (22.7).
Finishing the season off in perfect fashion, the 22-year-old received her second All-Australian nod, finished at a career-high fifth in the league best-and-fairest count and was a part of the club’s inaugural AFLW premiership.
Second Place – Tyla Hanks
Tyla Hanks has been an incredible contributor to the red and blue since she first joined the Demons in 2018. Season seven was no different, as Hanks continued to show her incredible talent at the top level.
The 22-year-old finished runner-up in the club’s best and fairest count with 64 votes from her 13 games, with her never-say-die attitude creating contest work that matches with the best in the league.
Hanks averaged 18 disposals and six tackles (a team high), while her clean skills and attack at the contest were standouts of her game.
She proved crucial during Melbourne’s finals campaign and played an instrumental role in the club’s inaugural AFLW premiership with 14 disposals and four tackles during the NAB AFLW Grand Final.
First Place – Kate Hore
Kate Hore capped off a stellar campaign, claiming the club’s 2022 AFLW Season Seven Best and Fairest award with 69 votes from 13 games.
In her sixth season at the top level and first as the club’s vice-captain, she thrived with added responsibility, leading the side, alongside Daisy Pearce, to their maiden AFLW Premiership.
In addition to her leadership skills, Hore dominated on-field, leading the league for score involvements and kicking the second most goals per game, adding 17 majors to her now 53-goal tally.
Her versatility was pivotal across the year, spending time defence and. She was in particularly crucial during the NAB AFLW Grand Final where she registered 11 disposals and eight tackles.
Hore's career-best season finished with her becoming a two-time All Australian and premiership player.
