BRISBANE'S Emily Bates has been crowned the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year for the 2022 AFLW season.
The inaugural Lion polled 74 votes across the 10-round home and away season to take the mantle over Anne Hatchard and Ashleigh Riddell, who were equal second with 68 votes each.
>>SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FINAL LEADERBOARD
Bates polled votes in nine of a possible 10 games, including three perfect 10s, at an average of 7.4 votes per game, beating Kiara Bowers' 6.2 average of 2021 to take out last year's award.
"It's great to see Batesy's talent and professionalism recognised in this way," Brisbane head coach Craig Starcevich told the AFL Coaches Association.
"From where we stand, she's the epitome of the Brisbane Lions in how she prepares and how she plays.
"She's second to none in her professionalism and the way she goes about playing football, and she's really been able to showcase that on field this season with the performances she's produced."
>>CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VOTES FOR ROUND 9
>>CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VOTES FOR ROUND 10
Bates has averaged 21.7 disposals, 6.9 tackles and 5.6 clearances this year - all career-highs - while also getting forward and kicking three goals.
At the end of round eight, Bates held a narrow one-vote lead over Riddell, with Hatchard sitting third on 52 votes. Bates registered eight and seven votes, respectively, over the final two rounds of the season, while Riddell polled a perfect 10 for her record-breaking 42-disposal game in round 10. Hatchard earned six and 10 votes, respectively.
Bates' 74 votes smashes her previous best of 26 AFLCA votes in a season in 2020.
AFLCA Champion Player of the Year final leaderboard
74 Emily Bates BL
68 Anne Hatchard ADEL
68 Ashleigh Riddell NMFC
60 Ebony Marinoff ADEL
56 Kirsty Lamb WB
55 Monique Conti RICH
52 Ellie Blackburn WB
51 Jaimee Lambert COLL
50 Hayley Miller FRE
42 Jasmine Garner NMFC
42 Amy McDonald GEEL
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