After last season’s event was confined to Zoom calls and saw players scattered all over the country, the 2021 W Awards will return in style tomorrow night to recognise the competition’s best players from the year that was.

And with silky midfielder Georgia Patrikios in contention to claim the league’s most coveted honour – plus a string of other Saints set to poll – we’ve got you covered for what to expect ahead of the AFLW’s night of nights.

The decorated evening will kick off at 7:00pm on Fox Footy with the naming of the NAB Rising Star and All-Australian side, before the official vote count commences at 8:30pm.

In a nutshell...

Best chance: 

Georgia Patrikios is well in the hunt to take out the competition’s most prestigious honour off the back of her classy follow-up to her Best & Fairest campaign.

The 20-year-old is predicted to poll in five matches, including best-on-ground honours for the final three games against GWS, Collingwood and West Coast.

Patrikios added to her sublime season with selection in the All-Australian and AFL Players’ Association 22Under22 squads, along with a place in the AFL Women’s Team of the Year and a nomination for the AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player.

For the first time...: 

A scintillating return from an ACL injury in Round 1 is likely to have Tarni White poll for the first time.

The Coorparoo recruit earned a NAB Rising Star nomination for her game-saving performance, which came complete with 20 disposals, nine intercepts and seven marks.

Unlucky to miss: 

Defenders often draw the short straw during awards season, and unfortunately, it’s the same in our predicted poll.

Despite terrific seasons from Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Hannah Priest and several other members of St Kilda’s back-six, all bar Tarni White were unable to crack into the list of potential vote-getters due to their performances being overshadowed by dominant opposition outings.

Jessica Matin also dips out after snaffling three goals in the final round of the season, while Kate Shierlaw’s consistency went by without a major accolade to her name.

Expect some well-deserved recognition at the club’s upcoming Best & Fairest, however!

2020 most votes: Georgia Patrikios (seven votes)
Ineligible players: Nil 

Round 1 v Western Bulldogs

St Kilda 8.3 (51) def. Western Bulldogs 6.6 (42)

It’s hard to separate gun midfielders Georgia Patrikios and Ellie Blackburn, but the silky Saint narrowly secures the maximum votes off the back of her game-winning display. Tarni White (20 disposals, nine intercepts) could also snare her first AFLW Best & Fairest vote to complement her NAB Rising Star nomination. While Bulldogs Isabel Huntington and Kirsty Lamb are outside chances to pinch a vote off the Queenslander, the impressive displays of debutant Tyanna Smith and co-captain Rhi Watt (13 contested possessions from 13 touches) are likely to win out beforehand.

Round 2 v North Melbourne

North Melbourne 5.6 (36) def. St Kilda 1.4 (10)

Pride Round belonged to North Melbourne, with captain Emma Kearney (22 disposals, eight tackles) close to a certainty for the three votes. The 2018 AFLW Best & Fairest was joined through the middle by impressive duo Jenna Bruton and Jasmine Garner as the Roos broke clear in the second half. Georgia Patrikios was again a strong presence with a game-high 27 disposals and was well-flanked by Tyanna Smith (15 disposals, one goal) against the experienced opposition. Although Cat Phillips, Hannah Priest and a high-flying Kate Shierlaw (eight marks, four contested) stood tall for the Saints, there’s a throng of Roos to overcome – including Ellie Gavalas and Ash Riddell – before they can potentially feature on the leaderboard.

*ineligible due to suspension

Round 3 v Carlton      

St Kilda 2.4 (16) def. by Carlton 6.4 (40)

Carlton is likely to share majority of the votes for Round 3, with last year’s reigning AFLW Best & Fairest Madison Prespakis starring as her side broke its duck at an empty RSEA Park. Elise O’Dea is likely to be joined on the podium by Rosie Dillon, who fought towards final-siren figures of 14 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances. Ruck Breann Moody is also in the running, while a handy two-goal bag from Nicola Stevens has her in contention. For the Saints, Rhi Watt was rock solid in defence against Tayla Harris, Kate Shierlaw continued her fine marking form while Tilly Lucas-Rodd and Hannah Priest were steady across half-back.

*ineligible due to suspension

Round 4 v Geelong

St Kilda 7.9 (51) def. Geelong 3.4 (22)

It's all Saints for Round 4 as the red, white and black returned to the winners list. Tyanna Smith (16 disposals, 13 tackles) was sensational under the Friday night lights, with her prime-time outing also earning her a NAB Rising Star nomination. Co-captain Rhi Watt returned to the ruck (16 disposals, 13 hit-outs, five clearances) to help drive her side’s stoppage dominance, while three goals from Caitlin Greiser is likely to be rewarded. Tilly Lucas-Rodd is again unlucky to miss out on a vote, while Cats Rebecca Webster and Olivia Purcell were influential for the visitors.

Round 5 v Adelaide

Adelaide 8.13 (61) def. St Kilda 1.2 (8)

A familiar trio dominate the votes for Round 5 as Adelaide put St Kilda to the sword at Norwood Oval. Ebony Marinoff, Erin Phillips and Anne Hatchard bagged 64 disposals, 15 inside-50s and 12 clearances between them, with the Saints held to just eight inside-50s for the game. It will be St Kilda’s defenders – forced into overdrive by the Crows’ weight of entries – who shape as potential vote-getters, chiefly led by Hannah Priest, Jayde Van Dyk and Tilly Lucas-Rodd. The latter started on the wing before returning to the backline after the major break. Georgia Patrikios was again consistent with 24 possessions and four clearances.

Round 6 v Melbourne

Melbourne 9.12 (66) def. St Kilda 3.4 (22)

St Kilda’s lean stretch extended out another week as Melbourne took charge of proceedings at Casey Fields. Ruck Lauren Pearce (22 disposals, 21 hit-outs, five clearances) won the ruck duel against a gallant Rhi Watt, gifting her side first use as the Saints’ backline was bombarded with repeat entries (+25). Eden Zanker and Kate Hore are likely to poll, but it could be any number of Dees – including leaders Daisy Pearce and Karen Paxman – who could get up. Ex-Demon Cat Phillips accompanied Georgia Patrikios and Hannah Priest on 17 disposals, with the No. 14 racking up a game-high 10 intercepts to carry on her terrific form while her side was under the pump.

Round 7 v GWS      

St Kilda 3.7 (25) def. by GWS 7.3 (45)

Wet and miserable conditions spelled a third straight loss for St Kilda, but Georgia Patrikios was superb all throughout the challenging afternoon. The prolific on-baller collected 27 disposals, 10 tackles and five clearances, with unrelenting efforts from Tyanna Smith (14 tackles), Cat Phillips (12) and Alice Burke (10) adding to the hard-fought match. Alyce Parker (28 disposals, six clearances) is likely to secure votes, while it’s a toss-up between three-goal Giants Rebecca Privitelli and Cora Staunton for the remaining place on the leaderboard.

Round 8 v Collingwood           

Collingwood 8.11 (59) def. St Kilda 2.1 (13)

It was black-and-white on multiple fronts against Collingwood, but Georgia Patrikios was just about best-on-ground for a second straight week. Twenty-nine disposals, nine clearances and a whopping 529 metres gained saw her outshine red-hot Magpies Brianna Davey, Brittany Bonnici and Jamie Lambert despite the 46-point loss. Defender Ruby Schleicher is equally a fair shout to feature in the votes for her 23-disposal display, while Tyanna Smith and Molly McDonald rounded out St Kilda’s best at Victoria Park.

Round 9 v West Coast             

West Coast 3.2 (20) def. by St Kilda 11.10 (76)

It could very well be a trio of successive three-vote matches for Georgia Patrikios, who closed out the year in style with 30 disposals and a goal. A bandaged Tyanna Smith was equally electric (24 disposals) and threaded a classy major to complete her terrific debut season, while Caitlin Greiser saved her best for last with 16 touches, 10 marks and two goals. Jess Matin’s three-goal blitz could also have her in contention for a maiden vote, while Cat Phillips and Darcy Guttridge collected 18 disposals apiece. For West Coast, Mikayla Bowen was best-on-ground with 22 touches.

Predicted leaderboard

13 – Georgia Patrikios
5 – Tyanna Smith
2 – Caitlin Greiser
2 – Rhi Watt
1 – Rosie Dillon
1 – Tarni White

Last year’s votes

7 – Georgia Patrikios
3 – Rosie Dillon
3 – Caitlin Greiser
3 – Poppy Kelly