Kate Shierlaw has tonight been crowned St Kilda’s 2022 Season Seven AFLW Best & Fairest, earning her maiden honour off the back of a standout campaign up forward.

The 33-year-old key forward (37 votes) led the count for the entire evening, breaking clear of Olivia Vesely’s promising start after the first three rounds to finish three votes ahead of runner-up Bianca Jakobsson (34).

Emerging winger Molly McDonald registered her best placing in third on 32 votes, while first-year Saint Hannah Stuart (28) and the returning Georgia Patrikios (27) comprised this season’s top-five.

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Alice Burke and Olivia Vesely (26) couldn’t be separated in equal sixth, Nicola Stevens (25) closed out her inaugural year as a Saint in eighth, while Tarni White (24) and Hannah Priest (23) charted their fourth consecutive top-10 finish in ninth and tenth respectively.

Shierlaw writes her name into the club’s record books as the eldest Saint to snare a Best & Fairest honour, surpassing the previous record set by the then-32-year-old Lenny Hayes in 2012.

A latecomer to the game after experiencing her first taste of it while abroad in London, Shierlaw joined Carlton as a rookie signing in 2017 before being delisted the following year.

2022 AFLW Season Seven Best & Fairest

  • 04:37

    2022 AFLW Season Seven Best & Fairest | Winner's acceptance speech

    Kate Shierlaw delivers her acceptance speech after being crowned the Saints' Season Seven AFLW Best and Fairest.

    AFLW
  • 08:58

    2022 AFLW Season Seven Best & Fairest | Coach's speech

    St Kilda AFLW Senior Coach Nick Dal Santo addresses guests at Crown Aviary.

    AFLW
  • 10:12

    2022 AFLW Season Seven Best & Fairest | Captain's speech

    St Kilda AFLW Captain Hannah Priest addresses guests at Crown Aviary.

    AFLW
  • 01:32

    2022 AFLW Season Seven Best & Fairest | Winner

    Kate Shierlaw has won the 2022 AFLW Season Seven Best and Fairest. Watch her highlights from the season.

    AFLW
  • 03:33

    2022 AFLW Season 7 Best & Fairest | Rounds 8 - 10

    Watch all the action between Rounds 8 - 10 in AFLW Season 7.

    AFLW
  • 03:28

    2022 AFLW Season 7 Best & Fairest | Rounds 4 - 7

    Watch all the action between Rounds 4 - 7 in AFLW Season 7.

    AFLW
  • 03:47

    2022 AFLW Season 7 Best & Fairest | Rounds 1 - 3

    Watch all the action between Rounds 1 - 3 in AFLW Season 7.

    AFLW

After a year out of the system, the key forward joined St Kilda in 2020 as an expansion signing and was inducted as inaugural co-captain ahead of its maiden AFLW season.

The co-vice-captain elevated her game as the Saints’ leading forward in Season Seven, ending the year equal-third in the competition’s goalkicking tally and with a place in the All-Australian squad.

The No. 12 hit the scoreboard in eight of her 10 appearances – ending the season first for St Kilda’s total goals, marks, contested marks and score involvements – but proved just as valuable further up the field to lend a tall option for the Saints heading out of defence.

In other awards, Nicola Stevens received the AFLW Crest Award for best upholding the values of the club, Hannah Priest earned the fan-awarded AVJennings Sainter of the Year, while Hannah Stuart added to her fourth-place finish with the AFLW Personal Excellence Career Award, presented by the True Believers coterie group.

McDonald was also bestowed the Best Emerging Player Award and a $5000 coaching program, generously donated by the Hello Consulting Group

Staff member Gemma Sammut was also recognised for her work throughout Season Seven with the inaugural Bernadette Sierakowski Allegiance Award.

2022 AFLW Season Seven Best & Fairest

1. Kate Shierlaw (37 votes)
2. Bianca Jakobsson (34 votes)
3. Molly McDonald (32 votes)
4. Hannah Stuart (28 votes)
5. Georgia Patrikios (27 votes)
=6. Alice Burke (26 votes)
=6. Olivia Vesely (26 votes)
8. Nicola Stevens (25 votes)
9. Tarni White (24 votes)
10. Hannah Priest (23 votes)

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