AS WE APPROACH the end of the 2026 home and away season, we look at who is likely to feature on the podium at your club’s best and fairest night.

Crows skipper Ebony Marinoff looks likely to add yet another accolade to her already decorated career. The 28-year-old is in the box seat to receive her fifth Club Champion award for a season where the hard working midfielder has averaged more than 10 tackles, 26.4 disposals and five clearances per game. 

Livewire mid Belle Dawes could go back to back at the Lions following another strong season. Dawes played every game and led her side for clearances, the pocket rocket often proving the barometer for her team. Fellow midfielder Ally Anderson has also impressed, but missing the first four games with a hamstring injury will hurt her chances.

In 2025 Irishwoman Dayna Finn won the Blues’ best and fairest, but this year it could be another Irishwoman in Erone Fitzpatrick. One of the game’s most exciting players, Fitzpatrick has gone to another level in 2026. Defender Harriet Cordner, recruit Claudia Whitfort and reliable midfielder Mimi Hill will also be in the mix.

Running half-back Tarni White has been a standout for the Pies, averaging 423 metres gained per game, up from her career average of 247. Captain Ruby Schleicher will also poll well, but a shoulder injury in round nine will dampen her chances.

Maddy Prespakis is back to her best this season and could be a runaway winner at Essendon. The former league best and fairest winner has put together career-best numbers averaging 32.4 disposals per game.

Veteran Kiara Bowers has had an outstanding year, the 34-year-old leading her club for disposals with an average of 25.5 disposals per game, while also recording 9.7 tackles. Midfielders Gab Newton and Aisling McCarthy should also feature on the leaderboard.

Georgie Prespakis has been one of the competition’s best players this season and is well placed to claim her third best and fairest. Prespakis has been key to the Cats’ return to finals averaging 30.7 disposals, eight clearances and eight score involvements per game.

Powerful midfielder Charlie Rowbottom has taken her game to new heights in 2026, helping drive Gold Coast’s resurgence. The former No.1 draft pick is averaging career-best numbers in disposals and score involvements and will be difficult to beat despite the depth of talent at the Suns.

It’s been a terrific return to footy for Alyce Parker, who missed a large portion of last season with a foot injury. Parker has played all 11 games in 2026 and is averaging 15 contested possessions per game, the second most in the competition. Parker is in the pole position to win her fifth club champion award.

Skilful forward Aine McDonagh has been excellent this season and will be hard to beat at the Hawks’ best and fairest count. The Irishwoman has kicked a career-best 23 goals, while ruck Lucy Wales has also been outstanding and should feature prominently.

It will be a close call at the Demons’ best and fairest, with midfielders Olivia Purcell and Tyla Hanks both enjoying consistent seasons. Purcell averages more disposals, while Hanks has had greater impact up forward averaging nearly a goal a game. Captain Kate Hore should also feature, but a neck injury that sidelined her for three games will hurt her chances.

Jasmine Garner has been consistent as ever and looks likely to claim her sixth best and fairest award. Garner averages 31.3 disposals and 5.5 clearances per game. As has often been the case throughout her career, Garner will share votes with teammate Ash Riddell in what shapes to be a close count.

Midfielder Abbey Dowrick could claim her second best and fairest after a stellar season with the Power. Dowrick averages 23.1 disposals, 7.7 clearances and 4.4 inside 50s per game. Star ruck Matilda Scholz should also feature prominently while defender Teagan Germech should receive some airtime following a career-best season.

For the first time in Richmond’s history, the club could have a best and fairest winner other than Mon Conti. Conti has missed a large chunk of the 2026 season with an Achilles injury and despite playing well when available, may struggle to claim her eighth consecutive award. Fellow midfielder Ellie McKenzie also missed four matches with an arm injury. Young gun Sierra Grieves and emerging midfielder Isabel Bacon have both impressed, while first-year forward Olivia Wolmarans has fitted seamlessly into the highest level averaging 1.5 goals per game.

Tyanna Smith looks set to go back-to-back after another standout season in the Saints’ midfield. Smith averages 19.3 disposals and 4.9 clearances per game, while her six goals put her second in the club’s goalkicking. Georgia Patrikios has also been consistent this season as has veteran Jamie Lambert who has stood up in key moments.

Former skipper Chloe Molloy could claim her first best and fairest at the Swans. Molloy has been in incredible form and is currently leading the competition’s goalkicking with 24 goals. Ally Morphett made a strong start to 2026 before a knee injury in round eight heartbreakingly ended her season. Last year’s winner Laura Gardiner and gun half-back Zippy Fish should also feature.

Ella Roberts has put together another superb season, playing every game and leading West Coast for disposals (23.5), clearances (5.5) and inside 50s (4.2) per game. Key forward Amy Franklin had also had a strong year booting 12 goals in 11 games.

Co-captain Isabelle Pritchard looks certain to claim her second best and fairest at the Bulldogs. Pritchard has led from the front, averaging 25.3 disposals and 6.9 clearances per game. Jess Fitzgerald was also enjoying an exceptional season, before a hamstring injury in round 10 saw her sidelined for the final two games. New recruit Mikala Cann has also made an impact in her first year at the Kennel, while reliable ruck Alice Edmonds should also poll well.