The time to crown a new North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos best and fairest has almost arrived, with the club's night of nights set to take place this Thursday night.

A third season in charge saw Darren Crocker and his new-look side play in its first ever preliminary final despite finishing eighth and having what turned out to be the toughest home and away fixture.

Although the campaign didn't end idyllically, the Kangaroos' efforts in the prelim against eventual premiers Melbourne showed that the gap between themselves and the competition's top echelon has undeniably closed.

The Best Clubwoman, Shinboner of the Year, Best Young Player, Mazda Next Level Performer Award and Best and Fairest awards will all up for grabs.

Will Jasmine Garner be the first three-time champion, or will Ash Riddell become a back-to-back winner after being successful earlier in 2022?

Can captain Emma Kearney capture a maiden best and fairest award at North Melbourne, or does Jenna Bruton attain another club champion medallion after winning the team's inaugural count in 2019?

Best and Fairest voting

For best and fairest voting, the AFLW senior coach rates each player out of 10 points and the assistant coaches provides a combined rating for each player worth 10 points, making 20 points the most possible votes in any round.

Season 7 Contenders

In number order

Ash Riddell

Season 6's B&F winner and ball-magnet Ash Riddell enjoyed another terrific campaign through the midfield. Riddell dropped below 20 disposals just three times across 13 games this season and was instrumental with 30 touches in the 36-point semi-final victory over Richmond.

In the preliminary final against Melbourne, she became the quickest AFLW player to record 1,000 disposals, achieving the feat in just 43 games, and she finished the season 10th in the League for average disposals per game with 22.2.

Season stats: 13 games, 1 goal; 22.2 disposals, 325.1 metres gained, 3.8 clearances, 3.5 inside 50s per game.

Emma Kearney

Rebounding off half-back to great effect for another season saw Emma Kearney add to her historic record of All-Australian selections. North Melbourne's skipper has been named in every All-Australian side since the AFLW's formation – an unmatched accomplishment.

The defence's marshal, it was no surprise that Kearney's presence was again an ever calming one throughout Season 7 as she continued to guide young Roos like Erika O'Shea and Hannah Bowey.

Kearney ended Season 7 ranked equal seventh in the League for intercepts per game (7.1) while collecting an average of 15.9 touches per game.

Season stats: 12 games, 1 goal; 15.9 disposals, 7.1 intercepts, 3.8 rebound 50s, 3.5 marks per game.

Tahlia Randall

North Melbourne's leading goalkicker for Season 7 booted 12 goals and was an imposing force in marking situations, finishing the campaign first in the AFLW for total contested marks with 22.

The key forward's season got off to a flying start with a career-high three goals against the Suns in Round 1, and weeks later she matched the feat again with a trio of majors against the Swans.

An ever-present threat inside 50, Randall's massive grabs always spark the Roos but her ability at ground-level isn't to be dismissed either, with her opening goal in the preliminary final a perfect example.

Season stats: 13 games, 12 goals; 6.8 disposals, 2.8 marks, 1.7 contested marks per game.

Sarah Wright

One of the backline's leaders, Sarah Wright enjoyed an ultra-consistent season in her position behind the ball. Her standout ability to read the play saw her average 6.2 intercepts per game and finish first at the club for total one percenters with 54.

An inspired 13-intercept performance against Collingwood in Round 9 landed Wright a position in the AFLW Team of the Week while the role she played in the repelling of Geelong's unwavering attacks in the elimination final was pivotal.

Season stats: 13 games, 0 goals; 7.6 disposals, 6.2 intercepts, 4.2 one percenters, 2.3 marks per game.

Mia King

Despite being the youngster among a contingent of experienced midfield stars like Riddell, Jas Garner and Jenna Bruton, it hasn't refrained Mia King from showcasing her talent and having an impact.

Built to attack the contest and win the hard ball, King averaged 14.6 disposals a game and, as usual, was a nuisance for opponents on defence laying 5.1 tackles per game.

Round 10's hard-fought tie with the Tigers also saw the reliable onballer tally 20 possessions (12 contested), six clearances and six tackles all from just 57 per cent of game time.

Season stats: 13 games, 0 goals; 14.6 disposals, 5.1 tackles, 3.2 clearances per game.

Jasmine Garner

Words can't quite describe just how influential Jasmine Garner was this season. Including finals, the crafty, smooth-moving midfielder finished Season 7 ranked first in the League for inside 50s per game (5.2), second for metres gained per game (397.2) and equal third for score involvements per game (4.3) in arguably her most dominant individual campaign.

She claimed her second AFL Coaches' Association AFLW Champion Player of the Year Award, finishing nine votes clear of second place, and was named as the captain of the Season 7 All-Australian team after receiving a fifth straight All-Australian blazer.

Season stats: 13 games, 8 goals; 22.8 disposals, 397.2 metres gained, 5.2 inside 50s, 5.2 clearances, 5.2 tackles, 4.2 marks per game.

Jenna Bruton

Damaging inside and outside of the contest, Jenna Bruton's output was again crucial to North Melbourne's success. Gathering 24 disposals, five marks and five tackles in Round 4, the tenacious midfielder featured in the AFLW Team of the Week after leading the Kangaroos to a 12-point win over Geelong in Tasmania. It was an extra important individual performance from Bruton considering the team's unfavourable record up until that point (one win, two losses).

While dangerous in possession of the ball, her defensive pressure was second to none at Victoria Park during Round 9 when she laid nine tackles in a must-win match against the Pies.

Season stats: 13 games, 1 goal; 17.8 disposals, 4.2 tackles, 2.8 clearances per game.

Previous award winners

Best and Fairest

2022A – Ash Riddell
2021 – Jas Garner
2020 – Jas Garner
2019 – Jenna Bruton

Best Clubwoman

The Clubwoman Award is for the player who epitomises everything about unselfishness, has a team-first attitude and goes beyond the call of duty not just on the field for the 22 players selected each week, but for the whole playing list and club. This award is voted for by the North Melbourne coaching staff.

2022A – Nicole Bresnehan
2021 – Emma King
2020 – Emma Kearney
2019 – Jas Garner

Shinboner of the Year

The Shinboner of the Year epitomises the club values - real, bold, belonging and never beaten. Each week the players nominate who they believe stand for the Shinboner values. This award is a culmination of all the weekly Shinboner of the Week awards voted on throughout the year.

2022A – Emma Kearney
2021 – Emma Kearney
2020 – Emma Kearney
2019 – Emma Kearney

Best Young Player

The Best Young Player Award acknowledges those players who have been making their mark within the club and the AFLW in the last two years. Players must be under the age of 22 at the first game of the season to qualify for this award and previous award winners cannot win multiple times. This award is voted by the North Melbourne coaching staff.

2022A – Bella Eddey
2021 – Mia King
2020 – Daisy Bateman
2019 – Tahlia Randall

Mazda Next Level Performer

The Mazda Next Level Performer Award acknowledges the player that best illustrated power, toughness, strength and performance. This award is voted on by members and fans throughout the season.

2022A – Ash Riddell
2021 – Jas Garner
2020 – Jas Garner
2019 – Jess Duffin