A year after a shock AFLW best and fairest snub, North Melbourne star Jasmine Garner is the coaches' pick to take out the top award in 2021.
The versatile midfielder/forward took out the AFLCA player of the year and AFLPA MVP awards in 2020, but polled just four votes in the AFLW B&F count. Teammates Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton took the lion's share of Roos votes.
Womens.afl surveyed 10 of the 14 AFLW coaches ahead of the start of the 2021 season to get their informed predictions and views.
The 10 believe the flag is a race between two, and despite a year out of the game with a torn ACL, that Chelsea Randall is still the premier defender in the competition.
Who will win the flag (aside from your own club)?
5 – Carlton
4 – North Melbourne
1 – Adelaide
Who will be crowned the AFLW's best and fairest?
4 – Jasmine Garner (NM)
2 – Maddy Prespakis (Carl)
1 – Kiara Bowers (Frem), Kate Hore (Melb), Ellie Blackburn (WB), Anne Hatchard (Adel)
NAB AFLW Rising Star tip?
2 – Ellie McKenzie (Rich), Jess Fitzgerald (WB)
1 – Alyssa Bannan (Melb), Tyla Hanks (Melb), Tarni Brown (Coll), Mimi Hill (Carl), Tyanna Smith (St K)
Lucy McEvoy (Carl) was also tipped but is ineligible, having previously received a Rising Star nomination
Who is the best defender in the competition?
4 – Chelsea Randall (Adel)
2 – Libby Birch (Melb)
1 – Ash Brazill (Coll), Lauren Ahrens (GC), Kate Lutkins (Bris), Kerryn Harrington (Carl)
Who is the best forward in the competition?
3 – Erin Phillips (Adel)
1 – Kate Hore (Melb), Jasmine Garner (NM), Bonnie Toogood (WB), Gemma Houghton (Frem), Kalinda Howarth (GC)
Only nine answers received
Who is the best midfielder in the competition?
2 – Maddy Prespakis (Carl), Jasmine Garner (NM)
1 – Kiara Bowers (Frem), Karen Paxman (Melb), Erin Phillips (Adel), Ebony Marinoff (Adel), Jaimee Lambert (Coll), Anne Hatchard (Adel)
Who is the best ruck in the competition?
3 – Lauren Pearce (Melb)
2 – Breann Moody (Carl), Sharni Norder (Coll)
1 – Parris Laurie (WC), Lauren Bella (GC), Emma King (NM)
