The final thing Ally Anderson anticipated to be doing in Brisbane’s grand remaining week was win the AFLW’s greatest and fairest award.
The 28-year-old Lions midfielder was a shock winner of the principle honour at Tuesday evening’s W awards perform.
She beat pre-count favorite, Richmond star Monique Conti, by two votes after Anderson earned best-afield honours in her final three video games.
Anderson is the primary winner of the league’s highest particular person honour to not make the All-Australian workforce in the identical season.
The depth of Brisbane’s midfield expertise meant most individuals – Anderson included – thought they’d take votes from one another.
Once she missed out on the All-Australian workforce earlier within the evening, that was affirmation sufficient for Anderson she wouldn’t be on the pointy finish of the most effective and fairest voting.
“I guess it’s disappointing for everyone who didn’t make the All-Australian (team). I was so happy for my teammates, though,” Anderson mentioned of the 4 Lions who had been named within the honorary aspect.
“It did not actually matter to me.
“So then I assume I believed I positively will not be up there within the votes.
“I was surprised a few of the girls didn’t steal a few more votes – but pleasantly surprised.”
Others noticed it coming earlier than Anderson. Teammate Emily Bates, who received the award final season, informed her with one spherical of votes left to start out fascinated with a speech.
“I just had absolutely no idea – a nice surprise,” Anderson mentioned.
But Anderson needs to place the honour to at least one aspect as rapidly as attainable, given the Lions will host Melbourne on Sunday at their new Springfield facility to determine the premiership.
The Lions stayed in Brisbane for the rely and Bates offered Anderson with the most effective and fairest medal.
“I will have to move on pretty fast because my main focus is the grand final,” she mentioned.
There has been controversy across the grand remaining venue, given this will probably be Springfield’s first sport and there have been frantic efforts to ensure it’s prepared in time.
Brisbane earned the precise to host the grand remaining as minor premiers, however the Gabba and the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium had been unavailable.
Despite the rushed preparations, Anderson mentioned Springfield looks like dwelling.
“We’ve been there for the last six weeks, watching the grass grow and not actually realising we would play there,” she mentioned.
“Just seeing it come together, it looks really good … it gets better pretty much every day.
“We’re making it our dwelling benefit and it does really feel like our dwelling now.”
