The AFLW umpires may not know what Jasmine Garner looks like, but at least her colleagues do.
The North Melbourne superstar has joined Erin Phillips as the only dual winners of the AFLPA’s women’s MVP award after claiming the 2023 crown on Tuesday night.
Garner was bizarrely snubbed during the AFLW best and fairest count, not recording a best-on-ground until Round 9 – when she had recorded five in 10 matches according to the AFLW coaches.
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But Garner, who finished runner up to AFLW B&F winner Mon Conti in the MVP last year, pipped the Tigers superstar this year ahead of Sydney’s Chloe Molloy, Melbourne’s Kate Hore and Adelaide’s Ebony Marinoff.
Garner will lead the Kangaroos into their first AFLW Grand Final this Sunday against Brisbane at Ikon Park.
North enter first AFLW Grand Final | 02:14
“I’m honoured to receive the AFLW Players’ MVP Award,” Garner said.
“To be recognised by your peers is a special privilege. These are the players you battle against every week and, as the competition continues to go to new levels, this means a lot.”
“Congratulations to all those nominated and the other award winners – they’re all worthy recipients.”
Melbourne’s Hore was named Best Captain while Brisbane’s Courtney Hodder, who took a spectacularly brave grab to claim Mark of the Year, was awarded Most Courageous.
Mature-aged Geelong recruit Aishling Moloney claimed the Best First-Year Player award from Port Adelaide’s Matilda Scholz and Sydney’s Tanya Kennedy.
WINNERS AND TOP POLLING PLAYERS (1st-5th)
AFLW Players’ Most Valuable Player, proudly presented by Local Expert
Jasmine Garner
Monique Conti
Chloe Molloy
Kate Hore
Ebony Marinoff
Most Courageous, proudly presented by Tackle Your Feelings
Courtney Hodder
Chelsea Randall
Kirsty Lamb
Brittany Bonnici
Shelley Heath
Best Captain, proudly presented by The Diamond Guys
Kate Hore
Chloe Molloy
Bonnie Toogood
Chelsea Randall
Breanna Koenen
Best First Year Player Award, proudly presented by KPMG
Aishling Moloney
Matilda Scholz
Tanya Kennedy
Ruby Tripodi
Aimee Mackin