Southport Sharks’ Stephanie O’Brien has cemented her place in QAFLW history by winning both the Emma Zielke Medal and the Coaches MVP award for the second consecutive year. In his first season back in Queensland, recently retired AFL player Tom Hickey also claimed a double victory, taking out the 79th J.A. Grogan Medal and the Coaches MVP award.
O’Brien secured the Emma Zielke Medal with a commanding lead after Round 12 of the 14-round season. She finished with a total of 28 votes, including seven best-on-ground performances. Notably, she accumulated 14 out of a possible 15 votes in her final five games, demonstrating a stellar finish to the season.
In addition to the Bond University QAFLW Coaches MVP, O’Brien claimed the maximum six votes in two individual games. She was also named captain of the Team of the Year for the second year running, capping off an incredible year which saw her win her third Bond University QAFLW Premiership.
Tom Hickey, who dominated in the ruck all season, earned the J.A. Grogan Medal with 26 votes, outpacing the competition significantly. He led the league in clearances with a remarkable 206 and was top in contested possessions with 332. Hickey delivered eight best-on-ground performances, including a standout period between Rounds 6 and 10.
In the Syd Guildford Trophy Coaches MVP voting, Hickey excelled, polling in 14 individual games and securing the maximum 10 votes in five of those. Earlier in the evening, Hickey was also named in the QAFL Team of the Year.
It comes 14 years since Hickey last played QAFL football – he made his senior debut for Morningside in Round 8, 2010.
The prestigious 79th J.A. Grogan and Emma Zielke Medal awards night was held at The Gabba.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Emma Zielke Medal
Steph O’Brien (Southport), 28 votes
79th J.A. Grogan Medal
Tom Hickey (Palm Beach Currumbin) 26 votes
Syd Guildford Trophy, QAFL Coaches Most Valuable Player
Tom Hickey (Palm Beach Currumbin)
Bond University QAFLW Coaches Most Valuable Player
Steph O’Brien (Southport)
Bond University QAFLW Rising Star
Dekota Baron (Southport)
QAFL Rising Star
Ty Gallop (Maroochydore)
Bond University QAFLW Team of the Year
FB: Sara-Jane O’Grady (Maroochydore), Kaylee Kimber (Southport)
HB: Jasmyn Davidson (Bond University), Ayla Fetahagic (Coorparoo), Gracie Roy (University of QLD)
C: Lucy Schneider (Coorparoo), Jessica Davy (Aspley), Keyshia Matenga (Wilston Grange)
HF: Ella Calleja (Bond University), Steph O’Brien (Southport), Summer Hamilton (Wilston Grange)
FF: Maddy Baldwin (Southport), Jess Stallard (Aspley)
Foll: Georja Davies (Southport), Madeline Watt (Southport), Louise Tyson (Aspley)
Int: Laura Roy (University of QLD), Jane Childes (University of QLD), Lucia Liessi (Aspley), Chelsea Winn (Yeronga South Brisbane), Courtney Sexton (Bond University)
Captain: Steph O’Brien (Southport)
Coach: Peter Doherty (Southport)
QAFL Team of the Year
FB: Matt Doran (Surfers Paradise), Adrian Williams (Redland Victoria Point), Ethan Sekac (Palm Beach Currumbin)
HB: Josh Wagner (Maroochydore), Liam Dawson (Aspley), Josh Govan (Maroochydore)
C: Garrett McDonagh (Morningside), Will Fletcher (Sherwood), Blake Erickson (Broadbeach)
HF: Nakia Cockatoo (Morningside), Connor Stackelberg (Aspley), Aiden Fyfe (Labrador)
FF: Blair Rubock (Palm Beach Currumbin), Matt Hammelmann (Redland Victoria Point), Ben Woodburn (Surfers Paradise)
Foll: Tom Hickey (Palm Beach Currumbin), Rhys Mathieson (Wilston Grange), Tom Simpson (Labrador)
Int: Tommy Horne (Morningside), Mitchell Conn (Noosa), Matt Payne (Aspley), Jay Foon (Labrador)
Captain: Will Fletcher (Sherwood)
Coach: Phil Carse (Redland Victoria Point)
Bond University QAFLW Goal of the Year
Mia Geere (Wilston Grange)
QAFL Goal of the Year
Cory Beaman (Palm Beach Currumbin)
Bond University QAFLW Mark of the Year
Dekota Baron (Southport)
QAFL Mark of the Year
Elijah Reardon (Surfers Paradise)
Clem Ryan and Keith Wallis Medal, QAFL Colts Best and Fairest
Takoda Boltong (Maroochydore), 15 votes
Bill Clerke Medal, QAFL Reserves Best and Fairest
Ayden Punter (Labrador), 17 votes
Bond University QAFLW Reserves Best and Fairest
Jasmine Single (Bond University), 17 votes
Bond University QAFLW Leading Goal Kicker
Jessica Stallard (Aspley), 32 goals
Ray Hughson Medal, QAFL Leading Goal Kicker
Connor Stackleberg (Aspley), 66 goals
QAFL Colts Leading Goal Kicker
Hunter James (Maroochydore), 38 goals
QAFL Reserves Leading Goal Kicker
Daniel Archer (Palm Beach Currumbin), 46 goals
Bond University QAFLW Reserves Leading Goal Kicker
Poppy Priestley (Bond University), 29 goals
