Jessica Bates wins 2022 SANFLW Best and Fairest

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg midfielder Jessica Bates has been rewarded for her stunning season, winning the 2022 Hostplus SANFLW League Best and Fairest Award.

The first Bays player to be crowned the competition’s best since Courtney Gum in the inaugural SANFLW season of 2017, Bates also claimed honours in the Kia Coaches Award while being named centre in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

‘’It’s an unbelievable feeling,’’ Bates said.

‘’If you had have asked me this time last year if I would be in this position, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s surreal really.’’

Polling a total of 22 votes, the 26-year-old edged out Central District captain Shelby Smith on 20 votes and North Adelaide onballer Jess Edwards on 19.

Despite not attracting the umpires’ attention in the opening two games, Bates soon ensured she would be on their radar after landing votes in nine of the remaining 10 minor rounds.

Glenelg’s No.29 was adjudged best afield by the field umpires on five occasions – in Rounds 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11.

Equal runner-up in the 2021 SANFLW Best and Fairest count, the tenacious ball-winner’s dominance is also reflected in the major statistic categories after leading the competition in total disposals, clearances and Champion Data ranking points.

Averaging just under 25 disposals, five clearances and 114 ranking points per game, Bates also displayed her willingness to defend by leading the competition in tackles at an outstanding average of 11 in 2022.

Starting her football journey with the North Haven Under 12s in 2007, Bates didn’t play football again regularly until representing SMOSH West Lakes in 2019.

Joining Glenelg in 2020, Bates has now racked up 37 SANFLW games with the Tigers, winning the club’s best-and-fairest award in its premiership year of 2021.

Glenelg’s Jessica Bates added to her lengthening list of accolades after winning the 2022 Kia Coaches Award.

Cruising to victory with 86 votes ahead of runner-up Jess Edwards (North) on 63 votes, Bates earned the ultimate respect of the SANFLW coaches while also winning the 2022 SANFL Best and Fairest Award and being named in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

After placing third in the Kia Coaches Award last year, Bates went two places better after attracting votes in every game except Round 2.

The Bays’ prolific ball-winner earned the highest praise of the SANFLW mentors by being named best afield with maximum votes in Round 3, Round 5, Round 6, Round 9 and Round 11.

Bates, 26, wins a $500 cash prize and a trophy courtesy of Kia.

Behind Edwards in second place, Central captain Shelby Smith was third with 59 votes while North Adelaide star Hannah Ewings was fourth with a total of 49 votes.

Norwood’s Alana Lishmund sprang to life to win the 2022 AAMI Leading Goal Kicker Award. 

Managing just four goals in her first two SANFLW seasons, Lishmund made the most of her role stationed inside 50m to tally a significant 18 majors for the season.

Hitting the scoreboard in 11 of her 12 appearances for the Redlegs this season, the 23-year-old booted a season-best haul of four against Glenelg in Round 8.

Recruited from the Hope Valley Football Club, Lishmund fittingly earned her first selection in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year at full forward.

Lishmund, who edged out Jess Waterhouse (South), Shae Archbold (South) and McKenzie Dowrick (Eagles) with 15 goals, was awarded a $500 prize courtesy of AAMI.

Norwood captain Alison Ferrall has won the SA Power Networks Leadership Award after being nominated by the Redlegs for her outstanding team-first approach in 2022.

Introduced in 2021, the SA Power Networks Leadership Award recognises players for their off-field attitude as much as their on-field achievements. Sturt captain Maya Rigter won the inaugural award last year.

The award was developed from the Female Personal Pathways program – a series of workshops and forums covering leadership, financial and career development, club culture and mental health education.

SANFL clubs nominated a player based on a number of criteria, including demonstrating care in mentoring younger players at their club, inspiring and encouraging personal development and having values that reflect those of their club.

Ferrall will receive a $10,000 contribution towards her studies at Torrens University.