MIDFIELDER Hannah Ewings has claimed Port Adelaide’s inaugural AFLW Best and Fairest Medal following a breakout debut season.

The 18-year-old finished five votes clear of captain Erin Phillips in the count held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Monday night.

Fellow midfielder Abbey Dowrick came in third, with just a single vote separating her from the skipper.

Ewings was selected as South Australia’s number one pick at this year’s AFLW Draft and her incredible debut campaign saw her take out the AFL’s NAB AFLW Rising Star award last month.

She became the first AFLW player to register nine or more clearances and three or more goals in a game after a stunning performance in Round 4, and finished the year as the club’s leader for clearances with 39 for the season.

She also kicked four goals and was ranked third for score involvements with 20.

The Whyalla product has gone from strength to strength with her game play and preparation, but was surprised to win the award.

“Woah! I was not expecting that,” the teenager said.

“It’s been an amazing journey so far. To Port Adelaide thank you for giving me the opportunity to pursue my childhood dream and I’ll never take it for granted.

“To all the girls out here, you welcomed me with open arms and made me believe in myself so thank you.”

Ewings paid special tribute to her parents who would take time off work and make several eight hour return trips to Whyalla to support her aspirations.

It was no surprise that Ewings was also named Best First Year Player, as voted by senior coach Lauren Arnell and her coaching panel, as well as head of AFLW Juliet Haslam.

Also voted by the same cohort, the Most Improved Player award went to athletic winger Ella Boag, while defender Ebony O’Dea was voted by her peers as the Players’ Player.

AFLW Best and Fairest Top 10 Leaderboard

AFLW award winners

Best and Fairest
Hannah Ewings

Best and Fairest – Runner-Up
Erin Phillips

Best and Fairest – Third Place
Abbey Dowrick

Best First Year Player
Hannah Ewings

Most Improved
Ella Boag

Players’ Player
Ebony O’Dea